James Tedesco wins 2025 Dally M Medal in record landslide victory

In a history-making victory, Tedesco polled 67 Dally M points to claim the game’s top individual award at a glittering function inside The Winx Stand at Royal Randwick Racecourse on Wednesday night.

Tedesco, 32, won by a record margin, finishing a staggering 22 points ahead of his closest rival, Penrith halfback Nathan Cleary.

Brisbane prop Payne Haas and Dolphins halfback Isaiya Katoa finished equal third on 44 points, two clear of Cronulla hooker Blayke Brailey and North Queensland half Tom Dearden.

A who’s who of rugby league watched as Tedesco secured his second Dally M Medal, coming six years after his success in 2019.

In a memorable evening, Tedesco also claimed a fifth Dally M fullback of the year award, while also being named captain of the year.

“I humbled to be here receiving this award alongside so many great players,” Tedesco said.

“I probably had a lot of critics and doubters in the last couple of years so to be back on this stage winning this medal is a proud achievement for myself

“This is right up there, for sure. It helped not playing Origin, I played every game which definitely helped me get more points.

“The consistency that comes with my routine every week, nothing really changes for me. I don’t feel like this is a breakout, stand-out year, it’s just me doing my thing, week-in, week-out.”

The Dally M Medal continued the build-up to what shapes as an epic NRL grand final between Melbourne Storm and Brisbane Broncos on Sunday night at a sold-out Accor Stadium in Sydney.

Wednesday night’s victory was a testament to Tedesco’s consistent excellence.

He has finished a Dally M runner-up twice before — to Melbourne’s Jahrome Hughes last year, and to Cronulla’s Nicho Hynes in 2022. He finished fourth in 2021.

Tedesco played all 24 regular-season games this season for a Roosters side which reached the finals but lost in week one.

His triumph comes just a day after withdrawing from October’s Kangaroo tour due to looming stem cell surgery and the wedding of his brother, Matthew.

Tedesco was overlooked for State or Origin this season, a non-selection which allowed him to focus solely on the Roosters.

The champion fullback posted some amazing numbers in 2025, including a career-high 168 tackle busts along with 27 try assists and 37 linebreak assists.

Tedesco also ran for more than 4000 metres, at an average of 164 a game.

He was also crowned the RLPA Players’ Champion for a fourth time.

Brisbane’s Reece Walsh, who hadn’t polled a point before voting went behind closed doors after Round 12, finished fifth on 41 points, ahead of Warriors halfback Luke Metcalf (40), who would have pressed Tedesco for the award had he not suffered a season-ending knee injury in Round 17.

Manly’s Daly Cherry-Evans (39) and Sharks fullback Will Kennedy (37) rounded out the leaderboard.

Cherry-Evans did exceedingly well to finish so high given his controversial season at the Sea Eagles.

After Round 12, when voting went private, Metcalf led on 31 points from Kennedy (29), Tedesco (28), Wests Tigers’ Terrell May (27) with Haas and Katoa on 23 points.

Melbourne’s Harry Grant was deemed ineligible to win the award after copping a two-game suspension for a round 25 shoulder charge.

“2025 is the story of a record-breaking season,” NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo said.

“More viewers, bigger crowds, higher engagement, more kids playing than ever before in the game’s history.

“None of this would be possible without the players who produce the miracles and the magnificence.

“Thank you to each and every one of you – from the rookies to the retiring players. You have all played your part in producing the most watched season on record.”

Tedesco has played 14 seasons in the NRL after making his debut for Wests Tigers back in 2012.

Asked why he withdrew from the Kangaroo tour, Tedesco said: “I’ve got my brother’s wedding and I’ve also got to get stem cells in my knee, which is a 6-8 week recovery process, and I want to get that done to be ready for January.

“It’s a better decision and I feel like a weight has been lifted off my shoulder that I don’t go.”

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Previous Dally M Medal winners include Steve Rogers, Ray Price, Terry Lamb, Greg Alexander, Ricky Stuart, Laurie Daley, Allan Langer, Andrew Johns, Johnathan Thurston, Cam Smith, Billy Slater, Cooper Cronk and Tom Trbojevic,

The previous three Dally M Medal winners were Hughes, Hynes and Kalyn Ponga.

TAB bookies have Melbourne $1.70 favourites with Brisbane the $2.15 outsiders for Sunday night’s decider at an 82,000 sellout at Accor Stadium.