NATHAN CLEARY has won the Dally M Medal for the first time in his career.

With 67 of the total votes – 14 more than Cronulla Sharks halfback Braydon Trindall in second place – Penrith Panthers’ Cleary finally won the award for the NRL’s best player.

Despite his pivotal role in four premierships, and being widely regarded as the best player of his generation, the Dally M had eluded Cleary until now.

The halfback steered his side to the minor premiership before suffering a broken ankle in last Sunday’s preliminary final loss to Newcastle Knights.

He accepted the award in a video from his sofa following surgery.

“I’m grateful for everyone’s support in the last few days after the injury,” said Cleary, who will miss Australia’s World Cup campaign.

“The support from the rugby league community has been amazing and I can’t thank everyone enough.”

Elsewhere, Andrew Webster scooped up the Coach of the Year award for guiding New Zealand Warriors to second place on the NRL ladder as Canberra Raiders livewire Ethan Sanders took Rookie of the Year.

Tamika Upton claimed her third Dally M Medal as NRLW Player of the Year, defending her title from last year when the Brisbane Broncos fullback became the award’s first multiple winner.

List of NRL awards

Dally M Medal: Nathan Cleary (Penrith Panthers)
Captain of the Year: James Fisher-Harris (New Zealand Warriors)
Coach of the Year: Andrew Webster (New Zealand Warriors)
Rookie of the Year: Ethan Sanders (Canberra Raiders)
Top try scorer: Alex Johnston (South Sydney Rabbitohs) and Thomas Jenkins (Penrith Panthers)
Top point scorer: Jamayne Isaako (Dolphins)
Try of the Year: Alex Johnston (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
Tackle of the Year: Taine Tuaupiki (New Zealand Warriors)
Ken Stephen Medal: Campbell Graham (South Sydney Rabbitohs)

NRL Team of the Year
Fullback: Dylan Edwards (Penrith Panthers)
Wingers: Thomas Jenkins (Penrith Panthers) and Selwyn Cobbo (Dolphins)
Centres: Herbie Farnworth (Dolphins) and Robert Toia (Sydney Roosters)
Five-eighth: Braydon Trindall (Cronulla Sharks)
Halfback: Nathan Cleary (Penrith Panthers)
Props: James Fisher-Harris (New Zealand Warriors) and Naufahu Whyte (Sydney Roosters)
Hooker: Wayde Egan (New Zealand Warriors)
Second-rowers: Haumole Olakau’atu (Manly Sea Eagles) and Hamish Stewart (St George Illawarra Dragons)
Lock: Erin Clark (New Zealand Warriors)

Dally M Medal scoring

Nathan Cleary 67
Braydon Trindall 53
Dylan Edwards 52
Haumole Olakau’atu 46
Herbie Farnworth 45
Scott Drinkwater 45
Jackson Ford 39
Harry Grant 37
James Tedesco 37
Kalyn Ponga 37