TV Guide: 2021 Dally M Medal awards ceremony on Fox Sports and Kayo

With the NRL Grand Final kicking off on Sunday, the second night of the Dally M Awards will air from 7:30pm AEST on Monday, September 27th on Fox Sports and Kayo.

The first night of the awards was held on September 20th. The reason the awards are split into two night this year is because of the move to Queensland, according to NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo.

"With the entire competition relocated to Queensland in 2021, it was important to think differently for our awards this year," Abdo said.

"We have a new format and the first ever Dally M event in Queensland, ahead of the first ever grand final in Brisbane.

"The new format will allow some players and guests in Brisbane to experience the gala evening in person, while Fox Sports will ensure a state-of-the art experience for players and officials who have returned home."

Tonight’s ceremony will include awards for the Dally M Medal, Dally M Team of the Year, Coach of the Year, Captain of the Year, and Rookie of the Year.

Grand Final coaches Wayne Bennett and Ivan Cleary, along with Manly’s Des Hasler, Roosters’ Trent Robinson, and Storm’s Craig Bellamy are on the shortlist for coach of the year.

Last week the five finalists for the Dally M Medal were announced as:

Daly Cherry-Evans (Manly Warringah Sea Eagles)
Nathan Cleary (Penrith Panthers)
James Tedesco (Sydney Roosters)
Tom Trbojevic (Manly Warringah Sea Eagles)
Cody Walker (South Sydney Rabbitohs)

The NRL has already revealed what the Dally M leaderboard looks like after Round 19. Leading the tally are Nathan Cleary with 24 votes and Tom Trbojevic with 23 votes. 

The previous five years of Dally M Medal winners are:

2020 - Jack Wighton (Canberra Raiders)
2019 - James Tedesco (Sydney Roosters)
2018 - Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (NZ Warriors)
2017 – Cameron Smith (Melbourne Storm)
2016 – Cooper Cronk (Melbourne Storm) & Jason Taumalolo (North Queensland Cowboys)