Each NRL season manages to deliver its share of surprises, drama, and unforgettable performances. This year's campaign was no different.
From seasoned stars reminding us of their brilliance, to rookies lighting up the field, the 2025 awards highlight several standout athletes.
Find out The Sporting News' selections for all the major NRL awards below.
MORE: NRL team of the year 2025
The Sporting News' Dally-M awards selections 2025
Dally M Medal: James Tedesco
James Tedesco once again reminded the competition why he is regarded as one of the most complete fullbacks in modern rugby league.
The Roosters captain was a constant threat in attack, scoring 11 tries and tallying 22 assists across the season.
Tedesco also led the entire competition in tackle breaks and total run metres, reaffirming his reputation as one of the hardest players in the NRL to bring down.
While Harry Grant was a strong contender, his brush with the Match Review Committee ruled him ineligible for this honour.
Ultimately, across 27 rounds, both the eye test and the numbers crowned Tedesco as the league's most valuable player.
Coach of the Year: Ricky Stuart
At the start of the season, the Raiders were favoured to receive the wooden spoon and tipped to do so by many pundits and fans.
Instead, Ricky Stuart masterminded an incredible campaign, guiding Canberra to the minor premiership against all pre-season expectations.
Stuart embraced the underdog tag, moulding a team that played with resilience, energy, and belief every week.
His embrace of Canberra's youth movement resulted in one of the most dynamic attacks in the competition; with players like Ethan Strange and Kaeo Weekes leading the way.
Ricky Stuart's 2025 knock has entered the conversation with the 2002 premiership and 2019 grand final appearance as his most impressive coaching performances to date - fully deserving of the Coach of the Year accolade.
Rookie of the Year: Leka Halasima
Leka Halasima burst onto the NRL scene this year and quickly became one of the league's most promising young talents.
The 19-year-old forward debuted last season but took 2025 by storm, announcing himself with a 70-metre try against the Tigers in Round 4.
Halasima's power running beyond his years gave the Warriors a different dimension in attack throughout the season.
Despite being a teenager, coach Andrew Webster put his faith behind Halasima in several big spots, often playing him in crucial minutes in close games after several of their key players went down with injury.
A late ARL Commission rule change rendered Roosters winger Mark Nawaqanitawase ineligible for Rookie of the Year despite his impressive debut season, clearing the way for Halasima to win the award.
The explosive back-rower proved himself as the standout rookie in a highly competitive 2025 class.
Captain of the Year: Joseph Tapine
Joseph Tapine led by example in every sense, establishing himself as one of the NRL's most influential forwards and leaders.
The Raiders prop set the tone each week with powerful carries, tireless defence, and an uncompromising devotion to a Raiders' club that was tipped for a tough 2025 season.
Alongside fellow prop and senior player Josh Papali'i, Tapine demanded the best of his young playing group, inspiring their unlikely charge to the minor premiership.
His leadership extended beyond statistics; he consistently lifted his team in crucial moments when the Raiders needed a spark.
This year, he proved himself not only as a world-class prop, but also an outstanding captain deserving of recognition.
Try of the Year: Mark Nawaqanitawase (Round 12 against the Bulldogs)
Mark Nawaqanitawase produced one of the most breathtaking tries of the season in Round 12 against the Bulldogs.
What began as a half-chance, quickly turned into a highlight-reel moment, as Nawaqanitawase danced along the sideline with a hop, skip and a jump, kicking the ball into the in-goal for himself to plant it down in what was an epic four-pointer.
MARK NAWAQANITAWASE IS OUT OF THIS WORLD! 🤯 #NRLBulldogsRoosters pic.twitter.com/5J3RZQ98bK
— NRL (@NRL) May 16, 2025
The try highlighted a unique mix of agility, balance and creativity - traits that make him such an exciting player to watch.
Fans and commentators alike immediately hailed it as one of the freakiest individual efforts in recent memory.
Leka Halasima's match-winner against the Knights also deserves credit, but in a season full of spectacular tries, Nawaqanitawase's solo brilliance stood above the rest.