Sydney Roosters fullback James Tedesco has declared his best football could still be ahead of him, after defying his critics to sweep to his second Dally M Medal.

Tedesco joined some of the game’s absolute elite in becoming a multiple-winner of the Dally M on Wednesday night, after one of the most lopsided counts in history.

He finished with 67 points, some 22 clear of the next closest in Penrith’s Nathan Cleary at the end of the regular season.

In the women’s game, Tamika Upton wrote herself into the history books after becoming the first two-time winner of the Dally M Medal in the NRLW.

In a dramatic finish, Broncos teammate Julia Robinson led Upton with two rounds to go, only for the centre to be rested from the penultimate round.

The women players also dazzled on the red carpet, along with the men’s wives and girlfriends. Their daring outfits, featuring sheer cloth and revealing cutouts, turned heads.

Isabelle Kelly wins NRLW centre of the year. Photo: AAP

Tedesco: ‘Best version’

When Tedesco last won the award in 2019, he was widely considered the best player in the world while winning premierships and State of Origin series.

But this year’s Dally M comes in far different circumstances, after he’d been dropped as both NSW and Australian Test fullback last year.

The 32-year-old has responded with one of the best seasons of his career. It prompted a Kangaroos recall for the Ashes – although Tedesco withdrew this week, deciding instead to be best man at his brother’s wedding.

“I’ve never really felt like my performances or seasons have dipped much,” he said.

“In 2023, there was a lot of external talk. I probably wasn’t at my highest performance. But my routine and my mentality doesn’t really change.

“I know I am getting older, but my body is feeling as good as ever.

“If I keep fresh every week and I am still enjoying the game, then who knows how long I can play for.

“People keep writing me off and thinking I am going to retire soon. But that drives me to try and be the best version of myself and keep improving.

“I still think my best footy can still be ahead of me.”

Karina Foran, wife of Kieren Foran of the Titans, on the red carpet. Photo: AAP

Tedesco credited multiple two-hour massages every week for keeping his body in shape, while noting his life has changed significantly since his last Dally M in 2019.

Wednesday’s ceremony was his first night out with wife Maria since the birth of their second daughter Marlie.

Tedesco’s prize came after he missed out on last year’s Dally M by only one point to Melbourne halfback Jahrome Hughes.

The fullback has only one-year deals with the Roosters, but is expected to start talks on an extension into 2027 soon, with no end in sight.

The No.1 was also named Dally M captain of the year, after helping take a Roosters side that lost more than 1000 games of experience last off-season to the finals.

“Losing a lot of older experienced guys, you tend to rely on them sometimes,” Tedesco said.

“I didn’t have anyone to rely on so I put the ownership on myself to perform.

“But there is also a balance to that, letting the young guys express themselves and perform. And then not overplaying, which I have been guilty of in the past.

“It was a good learning curve and I felt like I had a good balance this year of leading by example but giving these young guys confidence to go out and play their game.”

Women superstars

Upton claimed the NRLW’s top honour fresh off leaving the Newcastle Knights at the end of last year for personal reasons.

She polled the maximum six points in the round 10 win over the Warriors, before a hat-trick in the final round ensured she finished three points clear of Robinson.

“I was telling her she deserved it and she was telling me I did. We are best of friends and really good teammates,” Upton said.

“It’s an honour to get this award.

“A few of the girls had their best individual seasons, but it’s a privilege and just a credit to the teammates I have at the Broncos.”

Women’s Dally M winner Tamika Upton (centre) with second-rower trophy winner Romy Teitzel (left) and centre of the year Julia Robinson (right). Photo: AAP

Widely considered the finest player to feature in the NRLW, Upton scored 19 tries in 12 games this year to lift the Broncos into Sunday’s grand final against the Sydney Roosters.

She also led the NRL for try assists and line-break assists, announcing her return to the top tier of the women’s game after also winning the award in 2023.

It’s therefore fitting that she becomes the first woman to win the top prize twice, after it was first introduced for the maiden NRLW season in 2017.

“It’s pretty crazy,” Upton said.

“This is something when I finish up my career I will reflect on these special memories.

“It’s hard because right now my head is focused on the grand final, but it’s something I will sit back and reflect on.”

Robinson also featured in the Dally M team of the year at centre, while Broncos teammates Gayle Broughton and Romy Teitzel were named at five-eighth and in the second row respectively.

Sunday’s rivals also featured prominently after the teams finished well clear of their rivals this season.

Roosters mentor John Strange was named coach of the year and Isabelle Kelly best captain after taking the team to top spot.

St George Illawarra winger Indie Bostock earned try-of-the-year honours after going 80 metres with her first touch for the Dragons.

It came one year after her brother Jack was named Dally M Rookie of the Year at last season’s ceremony following his superb maiden season at the Dolphins.

-with AAP