Well, that’s all from us tonight.
Thanks again for following our live blog, and a massive congratulations to Newcastle duo Tamika Upton and Kalyn Ponga.
What a night it has been, and there’s still more NRL and NRLW action to come this week.
We’ll be bringing you live coverage of both grand finals on Sunday and all the news until then.
Enjoy your night, and let’s do it all again on grand final day.
Kalyn Ponga and Tamika Upton.Credit: Getty Images
Kalyn Ponga with his Dally M medal and fullback of the year award.Credit: Getty
Tamika Upton with her Dally M medal and fullback of the year award.Credit: Getty
It is the night of the Newcastle fullbacks.
Knights players Tamika Upton and Kalyn Ponga dominated tonight’s awards, both winning fullback of the year, but also taking out the top prize of the Dally M medal.
Ponga upset crowd favourite Shaun Johnson by just one point, while Upton’s victory was no surprise to anyone - she has been one of the most impressive and consistent players of the 2023 season.
For Ponga, the win is massive. After a tumultuous start to the year with concussion worries, he came back to be the best player of the year.
Kalyn Ponga and Tamika Upton with their 2023 Dally M medals.Credit: Getty
Kalyn Ponga has been named the 2023 Dally M medal winner.
The Knights fullback beat favourite Shaun Johnson by one point after picking up six points in round 26 of the regular season.
“It’s a pretty crazy feeling standing up here in front of so much talent,” he said.
Knights skipper Kalyn Ponga has been named the 2023 Dally M medal winner.Credit: James Brickwood
Tamika Upton has been the 2023 Dally M player of the year.
The Knights fullback has been flawless this season and has carried her team to a grand final.
“This is definitely not an individual award. I’ll start with the Newcastle club. I think from the moment I stepped foot there I was supported,” she said.
Upton also thanked the Broncos for starting her career and the Southwell family for being her home away from home.
And here is the 2023 NRL team of the year.
These awards have been given to the best players in these positions.
Kalyn Ponga has won the 2023 fullback of the year.Credit: NRL Imagery
Fullback: Kalyn Ponga (Knights)
Winger: Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (Warriors)
Centre: Stephen Crichton (Panthers)
Centre: Herbie Farnworth (Broncos)
Winger: Jamayne Isaako (Dolphins)
Five-eighth: Ezra Mam (Broncos)
Halfback: Shaun Johnson (Warriors)
Prop: Payne Haas (Broncos)
Hooker: Harry Grant (Storm)
Prop: Addin Fonua-Blake (Warriors)
2nd Row: Liam Martin (Panthers)
2nd Row: David Fifita (Titans)
Lock: Patrick Carrigan (Broncos)
The 2023 NRLW team of the year has been announced. These are the players that were voted best in each position.
Tamika Upton has been announced as the NRLW fullback of the year.Credit: Chris Elfes
NRLW Dally M team of the year:
Fullback: Tamika Upton (Knights)
Winger: Jakiya Whitfeld (Tigers)
Centre: Isabelle Kelly (Roosters)
Centre: Mele Hufanga (Broncos)
Winger: Julia Robinson (Broncos)
Five-eighth: Tarryn Aiken (Roosters)
Halfback: Ali Brigginshaw (Broncos)
Prop: Shannon Mato (Titans)
Hooker: Destiny Brill (Broncos)
Prop: Sarah Togatuki (Tigers)
2nd Row: Yasmin Clydsdale (Knights)
2nd Row: Olivia Kernick (Roosters)
Lock: Simaima Taufa (Raiders)
They’re giving us another drip-feed Dally M medal update.
This is what the leaderboard looked like after round 23:
51 points - Shaun Johnson (Warriors)
44 points - Scott Drinkwater* (Cowboys)
43 points - Kalyn Ponga (Knights)
42 points - Nicho Hynes (Sharks)
41 points - Harry Grant (Storm)
39 points - Nathan Cleary (Panthers)
37 points - Dylan Edwards (Panthers)
37 points - Isaaah Yeo (Panthers)
37 points - Payne Haas (Broncos)
36 points - Reece Walsh* (Broncos)
*Ineligible
The winner of the Ken Stephens award is Latrell Mitchell.
The award is given to a player for their contribution to the community, and Mitchell was nominated for his work with the indigenous community in his hometown of Taree.
Mitchell couldn’t be at the awards on Wednesday night.
Latrell Mitchell is the 2023 Ken Stephen award winner.Credit: Getty