Brisbane Broncos claim 10 NRL and NRLW Dally M Medal Awards

Brisbane’s male and female stars combined to celebrate a medal avalanche at the NRL’s Dally M Awards, combining for 10 awards across the competitions. Every winner here.

Adam Reynolds was named NRL Captain of the Year. Picture: Jonathan Ng

It’s the Perfect 10 that could inspire the Broncos to an NRL premiership on Sunday night.

Brisbane are back as a glamour club after a staggering 10 Broncos male and female stars combined to celebrate a medal avalanche at the NRL’s Dally M Awards in Sydney on Wednesday night.

Rugby league’s gala night of nights became a Broncos stampede, with five NRL players and five NRLW stars sharing in the spoils to ensure Brisbane go into Sunday’s decider against Penrith on the ultimate high.

Never before have the Broncos been so dominant at the Dally Ms.

Brisbane’s men’s team were nominated in eight categories and five players saluted, including Herbie Farnworth (centre of the year), Ezra Mam (five-eighth), Payne Haas (prop) and Pat Carrigan (lock).

Champion halfback Adam Reynolds was named captain of the year in an emphatic vindication of his move from South Sydney to Brisbane last season to transform the Broncos into a premiership contender.

Adam Reynolds won Captain of the Year.

Ali Brigginshaw (L) was the NRLW’s top points scorer. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty

Meanwhile, Brisbane’s women’s team also cashed in as their Fab Five added to the Broncos’ medal tally.

Julia Robinson was named winger of the year and the tough-as-nails flyer was joined on stage by teammates Mele Hufanga (centre), clever hooker Destiny Brill and utility super-sub Lavinia Gould, who claimed the Provan-Summons Medal.

Inspirational skipper Ali Brigginshaw was named halfback of the year and rounded out another fine season by being crowned the NRLW’s top pointscorer with 84 from 10 appearances.

RE-LIVE THE 2023 DALLY M MEDAL AWARDS NIGHT HERE

The Broncos’ NRLW team produced a stunning late-season surge to reach the preliminary final and their male counterparts could smash the club’s 17-year premiership drought in Sunday’s blockbuster against Penrith.

While Haas was named the code’s top prop, the superstar bookend fell away in voting for the Dally M Medal, with a one-match suspension seeing him finish equal eighth with 42 points.

Broncos stars Patrick Carrigan, Ezra Mam and Herbie Farnworth made the NRL Team of the Year. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty

But Brisbane’s overall Dally M haul is testament to the rise of the $60 million Broncos empire, who have gone from wooden spooners in 2020 to grand finalists - and possible premiership winners - this season.

Farnworth was a deserving centre-of-the-year winner with his rampaging charges, while Mam is the NRL’s king of five-eighths at just 20 after usurping Origin big guns Cameron Munster and Cody Walker.

Winger Selwyn Cobbo and Farnworth’s centre partner Kotoni Staggs were nominees in their positions, while Carrigan continued his dream season by ousting Penrith rival Isaah Yeo for best lock honours.

Broncos mentor Kevin Walters was a nominee for coach of the year, but was narrowly pipped by Warriors rookie Andrew Webster.

Broncos winger Julia Robinson. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty

Payne Haas and his partner Leilani Mohenoa. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty

Broncos vice-captain Kurt Capewell said the medal sweep was sweet reward for Brisbane’s finals campaigns in both competitions.

“It’s an awesome recognition of what this club has achieved this year,” he said.

“The players who have been most consistent for us all year are finally getting recognised.”

While disappointed not to win the Dally M, Haas says his real burning ambition remains alive - winning an NRL premiership ring.

The Broncos stormed home to reach the NRLW semi-finals. Picture: Scott Gardiner/Getty

“It’s great to be in contention for a Dally M, but to be honest, you want to win a premiership,” he said.

“All those individual accolades are great, but I’d give all that up for a premiership with the Broncos.

“I’m really focused on this Sunday and making sure I play my best game.”

Originally published as Brisbane Broncos claim 10 NRL and NRLW Dally M Medal Awards