NRLW Dally M Awards 2024: Nominees for the rookie, captain, coach and Team of the Year announced
NRLW star Tamika Upton is in the race another Dally M Medal but her place it the top is under threat by a breakout star. See all the contenders, as well as every nominee for the Dally M Team of the Year.
Tamika Upton is among the favourites to take out NRLW’s highest individual honour on Wednesday night as the Newcastle superstar closes in on back-to-back Dally M Medals.
The Knights fullback had a slow start to the season by her own standards with just five votes from the first four games but caught fire at the back end to lead the two-time NRLW premiers to the semi-finals.
She finished the season at the top of the competition with 13 try assists but has breakout stars nipping at her heels for the top honour.
Gold Coast half Lauren Brown was top of the leaderboard with 12 votes before voting went blind after round 4, while Parramatta fullback Abbi Church followed with 10 in what has been the best season of her career.
Brown’s hopes will be affected by missing the final two rounds of the season with a broken hand but Church will be among the top contenders after the Eels’ sensational turn-around to finish just outside the top four.
Sydney Roosters stars Isabelle Kelly and Olivia Kernick, Cronulla centre Tiana Penitani and Canberra captain Simaima Taufa are among the other contenders.
Tarryn Aiken was also among the top polled stars but two weeks sidelined with a shoulder injury could cost her.
In the team awards, 2023 Dally M rookie of the year Annessa Biddle is a hot favourite to be named one of two centres of 2024 after another powerful season for Cronulla.
It’s a star-studded category. Grand finalists Kelly, Penitani, Brisbane’s Mele Hufanga and Titans star Jaime Chapman are all nominated.
Former New Zealand Rugby Sevens star Stacey Waaka has also been nominated for winger of the year after her stunning rugby league conversion.
The Paris Olympic gold medallist scored six tries in six games for the Broncos in her first season in the NRLW but her season ended early with a leg fracture.
However, she is ineligible to win rookie of the year under the criteria, which has also ruled out the Eels’ Rory Owens.
Players must have been in a rugby league system for at least two years before playing NRLW to be eligible for the award.
St George Illawarra gun Kasey Reh is favourite to get the nod, while Knights forward Evie Jones and Tigers prop Natasha Penitani have also been nominated.
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