Kalyn Ponga has been awarded the Dally M Medal after his magical run late in the season saw him charge home and pip Shaun Johnson.
The Warriors halfback held a slender lead heading into the final round of action for both of the stars, only for the No.1 to earn six votes to finish on 56 points and beat the veteran to the award by a single point.
The Sporting News provides all the info on the night's big winners below.
Dally M Medal results: Kalyn Ponga crowned Dally M Medallist
10.10pm: Kalyn Ponga has pipped Shaun Johnson to the Dally M Medal finishing just one point ahead of the Warriors halfback!
MORE: Dally M Medal leaderboard - Find out how the top 10 finished
"I had an early season holiday, and while I was over there, I decided I wanted to stop letting people down and start making people proud," the fullback said in reference to his return after experiencing concussion issues early in the season.
"I think I came back and did that - what a year!
"Pretty crazy feeling standing up here in front of so much talent, there's so much talent in this league and to be standing in front of you, I feel honoured, humbled and very lucky.
"I have a lot of people to thank, my family, the coaching staff and my teammates, 100 per cent without you guys, this isn't possible.
"The way I felt and the way I played this year isn't possible without your support, love and belief in me."
Your 2023 Player of the Year, Kalyn Ponga! 🔴🔵 pic.twitter.com/Ylr8ww86MU
— NRL (@NRL) September 27, 2023
In a dramatic double for the Knights, Tamika Upton has been awarded with the NRLW Dally M Medal.
"I'll start with the Newcastle club, I think from the moment I stepped foot there I've been supported from the start and everyone involved and that spreads to my teammates," Upton said.
"I'm pretty lucky to be surrounded by the most amazing players and people."
Dally M Women’s Leaderboard
| Player | Votes |
| Tamika Upton | 27 |
| Tarryn Aiken | 26 |
| Simaima Taufa Ali Brigginshaw | 22 |
| Teagan Berry | 20 |
| Shannon Mato | 18 |
| Evania Pelite Zehara Temara | 17 |
| Gayle Broughton Raecene Mcgregor | 15 |
NRL Team of the Year
- Fullback: Kalyn Ponga (Knights)
- Wingers: Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (Warriors) & Jamayne Isaako (Dolphins)
- Centres: Stephen Crichton (Panthers) & Herbie Farnworth (Broncos)
- Five-Eighth: Ezra Mam (Broncos)
- Halfback: Shaun Johnson (Warriors)
- Hooker: Harry Grant (Storm)
- Props: Payne Haas (Broncos) & Addin Fonua-Blake (Warriors)
- Second-Rowers: Liam Martin (Panthers) & David Fifita (Titans)
- Lock: Patrick Carrigan (Broncos)
NRLW Team of the Year
- Fullback: Tamika Upton (Knights)
- Wingers: Jakiya Whitfeld (Wests Tigers) & Julia Robinson (Broncos)
- Centres: Mele Hufanga (Broncos) & Isabelle Kelly (Roosters)
- Five-Eighth: Tarryn Aiken (Roosters)
- Halfback: Ali Brigginshaw (Broncos)
- Hooker: Destiny Brill (Broncos)
- Props: Sarah Togatuki (Wests Tigers) & Shannon Mato (Titans)
- Second-Rowers: Olivia Kernick (Roosters) & Yasmin Clydsdale (Knights)
- Lock: Simaima Taufa (Raiders)
9.25pm: Tahlulah Tillett has been awarded with the Veronica White Medal for her work in the community, while Latrell Mitchell has been awarded with the Ken Stephens Medal.
8.58pm: Sunia Turuva has bagged the NRL Rookie of the Year award after a stellar season with the Panthers.
Looking back at an outstanding rookie season from Sunia Turuva! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/u3xShaIhV3
— NRL (@NRL) September 27, 2023
Cronulla's Annessa Biddle has been awarded as the NRLW Rookie of the Year after an impressive campaign in the club's inaugural season.
8:50pm: Andrew Webster has capped a fairytale first season in the NRL as a head coach after he was recognised for his work in turning the Warriors from perennial underachievers into a premiership contender this year.
Karyn Murphy has been awarded the NRLW Coach of the Year after leading the Titans into the grand final against the Knights.
Your Dally M NRLW Coach of the Year - Karyn Murphy pic.twitter.com/CLArIt05kd
— NRLW (@NRLWomens) September 27, 2023
8:35pm: Adam Reynolds has been awarded the NRL Captain of the Year after guiding Brisbane into the grand final.
Your NRL Dally M Captain of the Year - Adam Reynolds! 🐴 pic.twitter.com/pre0kypISL
— NRL (@NRL) September 27, 2023
Canberra Raiders star Simaima Taufa has claimed the NRLW Captain of the Year.
Dally M Awards: Ahead of the count, a number of awards have already been handed out with Mathew Feagai winning the NRL Try of the Year for his match-winning four-pointer against the Roosters.
Mathew Feagai's last-minute match-winner has been awarded the Dally M Try of the Year for 2023! 💥 pic.twitter.com/0WiJCnfFu8
— NRL (@NRL) September 27, 2023
Jesse Southwell has been awarded the NRLW Try of the Year for her solo effort against the Roosters.
Haumole Olakau'atu has won Tackle of the Year in the NRL for his massive shot on Justin Olam, while Jakiya Whitfield has the NRLW's Tackle of the Year after she chopped down Isabelle Kelly for the Tigers.
Haumole Olakau'atu's massive shot has been awarded the Dally M Tackle of the Year for 2023! 💪 pic.twitter.com/XCp4MGEQ28
— NRL (@NRL) September 27, 2023
Nicho Hynes has been awarded with the NRL Provan-Summons Medal for respect after he handed the inaugural Paul Green medal and jersey to the late coach's children after Cronulla's win over the Cowboys.
Nicho Hynes has claimed the NRL Provan-Summons Medal for 2023! 🏅 pic.twitter.com/G3XbsmuKD5
— NRL (@NRL) September 27, 2023
Lavinia Gould has been awarded the NRLW Provan-Summons medal for bravery. The Brisbane star's teenage daughter Kaia has been living with a kidney disease since she was a child.
Dally M Awards 2023: NRL winners
*Winners denoted in bold
**Two winners are named
Dally M Medallist: Kalyn Ponga (Knights)
Fullback of the Year
- James Tedesco (Roosters)
- Dylan Edwards (Panthers)
- Kalyn Ponga (Knights)
Winger of the Year**
- Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (Warriors)
- Jamayne Isaako (Dolphins)
- Brian To’o (Panthers)
- Dominic Young (Knights)
- Selwyn Cobbo (Broncos)
- Ronaldo Mulitalo (Sharks)
Centre of the Year**
- Stephen Crichton (Panthers)
- Bradman Best (Knights)
- Kotoni Staggs (Broncos)
- Campbell Graham (Rabbitohs)
- Herbie Farnworth (Broncos)
- Izack Tago (Panthers)
Five-Eighth of the Year
- Ezra Mam (Broncos)
- Cameron Munster (Storm)
- Cody Walker (Rabbitohs)
Halfback of the Year
- Nathan Cleary (Panthers)
- Daly Cherry-Evans (Sea Eagles)
- Shaun Johnson (Warriors)
Hooker of the Year
- Wayde Egan (Warriors)
- Apisai Koroisau (Wests Tigers)
- Harry Grant (Storm)
Prop of the Year**
- Lindsay Collins (Roosters)
- Payne Haas (Broncos)
- James Fisher-Harris (Panthers)
- Nelson Asofa-Solomona (Storm)
- Jake Trbojevic (Sea Eagles)
- Addin Fonua-Blake (Warriors)
Second Row of the Year**
- Liam Martin (Panthers)
- Briton Nikora (Sharks)
- Tyson Frizell (Knights)
- Haumole Olakau'atu (Sea Eagles)
- David Fifita (Titans)
- Hudson Young (Raiders)
Lock of the Year
- Tohu Harris (Warriors)
- Isaah Yeo (Panthers)
- Patrick Carrigan (Broncos)
Coach of the Year
- Kevin Walters (Broncos)
- Andrew Webster (Warriors)
- Ivan Cleary (Panthers)
Captain of the Year
- Adam Reynolds (Broncos)
- Tohu Harris (Warriors)
- Isaah Yeo (Panthers)
Rookie of the Year
- Jahream Bula (Wests Tigers)
- William Warbrick (Storm)
- Sunia Turuva (Panthers)
Try of the Year
- Dominic Young (Knights)
- Mathew Feagai (Dragons)
- Sunia Turuva (Panthers)
Tackle of the Year
- Joseph Tapine (Raiders)
- Haumole Olakau'atu (Sea Eagles)
- Ezra Mam (Broncos)
Dally M Awards 2023: NRLW winners
*Winners denoted in bold
**Two winners are named
Dally M Medallist: Tamika Upton (Knights)
Fullback of the Year
- Teagan Berry (Dragons)
- Evania Pelite (Titans)
- Tamika Upton (Knights)
Winger of the Year**
- Jakiya Whitfeld (Wests Tigers)
- Sheridan Gallagher (Knights)
- Julia Robinson (Broncos)
- Jayme Fressard (Roosters)
- Shakiah Tungai (Raiders)
- Destiny Mino-Sinapati (Titans)
Centre of the Year**
- Annessa Biddle (Sharks)
- Mele Hufanga (Broncos)
- Jaime Chapman (Titans)
- Shanice Parker (Knights)
- Jessica Sergis (Roosters)
- Isabelle Kelly (Roosters)
Five-Eighth of the Year
- Gayle Broughton (Broncos)
- Tarryn Aiken (Roosters)
- Zahara Temara (Raiders)
Halfback of the Year
- Raecene McGregor (Dragons)
- Lauren Brown (Titans)
- Ali Brigginshaw (Broncos)
Hooker of the Year
- Destiny Brill (Broncos)
- Emma Manzelmann (Cowboys)
- Brittany Breayley-Nati (Titans)
Prop of the Year**
- Ellie Johnston (Sharks)
- Millie Boyle (Roosters)
- Sarah Togatuki (Wests Tigers)
- Jessika Elliston (Titans)
- Brianna Clark (Broncos)
- Shannon Mato (Titans)
Second Row of the Year**
- Kezie Apps (Wests Tigers)
- Shaylee Bent (Titans)
- Otesa Pule (Roosters)
- Olivia Kernick (Roosters)
- Yasmin Clydsdale (Knights)
- Mahalia Murphy (Eels)
Lock of the Year
- Mariah Denman (Broncos)
- Simaima Taufa (Raiders)
- Georgia Hale (Titans)
Coach of the Year
- Ronald Griffiths (Knights)
- Karyn Murphy (Titans)
- Darrin Borthwick (Raiders)
Captain of the Year
- Georgia Hale (Titans)
- Ali Brigginshaw (Broncos)
- Simaima Taufa (Raiders)
Rookie of the Year
- Annessa Biddle (Sharks)
- China Polata (Cowboys)
- Rilee Jorgensen (Titans)
Try of the Year
- Teagan Berry (Dragons)
- Leianne Tufuga (Wests Tigers)
- Jesse Southwell (Knights)
Tackle of the Year
- Jakiya Whitfeld (Wests Tigers)
- Rilee Jorgensen (Titans)
- Krystal Blackwell (Cowboys)
NRLW Provan-Summons Medal
- Lavinia Gould (Broncos)
- Toni Hunt (Broncos)
- Rilee Jorgensen (Titans)
How are Dally M votes awarded?
Previously, votes would be awarded by a single judge per game on a three-two-one basis, with three votes for the player deemed best afield.
The identities of the judges were also publicly available.
Under the new system, two unnamed judges, selected from a panel of former players, watch each match and separately award votes on a three-two-one basis, meaning a player can receive a maximum of six votes per match.
Like in the past, votes across the early part of the season were published on Mondays following each round.
After Round 12, voting went behind closed doors for the men's award until the end of the regular season.
More details — including how the Team of the Year is selected — can be found here.
Who are the reigning Dally M Medal winners?
After guiding the Sharks to the finals, Cronulla star Nicho Hynes won the men's Dally M Medal in 2022.
Raecene McGregor was awarded the women's Dally M Medal following a stellar season with the Sydney Roosters.
