Dally M Medal LIVE updates: NRL's night of nights from Randwick ...

The thinking behind 2022 Dally M medal-winner Nicho Hynes’ blue velvet jacket from Politix seems pretty straightforward.

There’s more to this killer look, however, than giving a stylish nod to team colours.

Velvet has become a popular choice for players this evening, and you can trace the trend back to Bond, James Bond.

Nicho Hynes in Politix at the 2023 Dally M awards, and Daniel Craig at the London premiere of ‘Not Time To Die’ in 2021.Credit: Getty

Shaun Johnson and Jarrod Croker have also taken a leaf from actor Daniel Craig’s playbook in plush jackets.

The former Bond actor wore a raspberry velvet jacket for the London premiere of No Time To Die in 2021. The fashion press applauded Craig’s choice and two years later NRL players are picking up the trend and running with it.

You could be forgiven for thinking there’s just one award (because all the noise is about the medal), but there are a bunch of accolades up for grabs tonight.

One of those is the try of the year.

Newcastle winger Dominic Young is one of the nominees for that award after his aerial movements in the Knights game against the Dragons.

Newcastle winger Dominic Young flips over the try line to score against the Dragons.Credit: Getty

He’s nominated alongside Dragon Mathew Feagai and Panther Sunia Turuva.

There are also awards for coach of the year, captain of the year, tackle of year, as well as an award for every position on the field (more on those nominees later).

NRL Nominees: James Tedesco (Roosters), Dylan Edwards (Panthers), Kalyn Ponga (Knights)

Even without Reece Walsh, who was ruled ineligible after copping a three-match contrary conduct suspension, this is perhaps the most hotly contested position. Tedesco has been much maligned this season, to the point there were calls from Blues fans for his head during the State of Origin series, but he has still made the cut.

NRLW Nominees: Teagan Berry (Dragons), Evania Pelite (Titans), Tamika Upton (Knights)

Berry has been one of the best players in the NRLW this year. She stepped into the fullback role in 2023 and didn’t let the pressure of becoming a spine player stop her from playing her style of game. But it’s hard to go past Upton for this award. The Knights are hunting back-to-back premierships, and Upton is a major reason for their success this year.

Miranda Cross, the fiancée of Rabbitohs skipper Cameron Murray, had some last-minute adjustments to her Dally M outfit from Sydney bridal specialists Velani.

Rabbitohs captain Cameron Murray with his fiancé Miranda Cross.Credit: Getty

“My inspiration definitely started with a Victoria Beckham dress but has evolved with the help of Nicky at Velani,” Cross says.

“We found a beautiful reference photo from a maternity shoot, as I’m newly pregnant, and have put our own spin on it.”

The single-shouldered column gown has classic Greek influences and room to move.

“We have gone with a bridal-inspired look as I’m newly engaged, but it’s bump-friendly! It’s an evolution from the original inspiration, but it reflects where my life is currently at.”

In the NRL, there’s one name that’s been thrown around to take out the top award more than anyone else: Shaun Johnson.

Warriors legend, superstar halfback, and the master of his craft in the later stages of his career, Johnson has been everyone’s pick to take out the top award.

Not only has he been flawless in the number 7. jersey, he helped lead the Warriors to one of their best results ever following a few hard pandemic years.

Shaun Johnson is expected to win the Dally M medal.Credit: Getty

As for the NRLW, there’s only one name that comes to mind when I think of this award, and that’s Tamika Upton.

Upton, the Newcastle fullback, has stepped up her game in 2023.

After winning the premiership with the Knights last year, and taking home the Karryn Murphy medal for best player in the grand final, Upton has improved further, and is a massive reason Newcastle are playing in the grand final on Sunday.

Knights fullback Tamika Upton is in the running for the 2023 Dally M medal.Credit: Chris Elfes

This leaderboard will have had quite the shakeup in the final rounds of the competition.

Not as many suspensions to knock people off the top, but there were a few dark horses that I think will have emerged as the season went on (more on that later).

Raiders captain Simaima Taufa was at the top of the Dally M leaderboard after round four.Credit: Louise Kennerley

Here is where the leaderboard was at after round 4:

15 points: Simaima Taufa (Raiders)

11 points: Sarah Togatuki (Tigers)

11 points: Zahara Temara (Raiders)

9 points: Evania Pelite (Titans)

9 points: Teagan Berry (Dragons)

9 points: Tarryn Aiken (Roosters)

9 points: Tamika Upton (Knights)

8 points: Isabelle Kelly (Roosters)

7 points: Ali Brigginshaw (Broncos)

7 points: Emma Tonegato (Sharks)

Memo to Margot Robbie. You forgot to include an NRL Barbie in your blockbuster movie. We get it… you’re busy. Sydney Roosters centre Isabelle Kelly has delivered a bold reminder in case you’re planning a sequel.

Roosters centre Isabelle Kelly at the Dally M awards.Credit: Getty

Kelly is wearing a pink strapless gown from Lia Stubbla with matching opera gloves. The bright yellow Olga Berg clutch is a better partner than Ken.

Kelly’s stylist Livia Sharp was a last-minute recruit to dress a teams’ worth of players.

“My clients are mostly NRLW players, who I absolutely love working with as it’s fun to get them glammed up for their big night celebrating a year of hard work on the pitch,” Sharp says.

It’s fair to expect skirt slits to rival Angelina Jolie’s 2012 Oscars dress and enough sheer paneling to provide fly screens for Buckingham Palace on the Dally M red carpet.

Congratulations to Brittney Wicks for breaking the mould in a white, pearl-encrusted mini-dress with ostrich feathers from Sydney dressmaker Amanda Tasevski.

Jarrod Croker and his wife Brittney Wicks.Credit: Getty

It’s a dress that says party rather than princess (or both if you’re from the Monaco royal family).

Stylist Donny Galella guided Wicks towards the gown alternative and also helped her Canberra Raiders’ husband Jarrod Croker into his green velvet jacket from MJ Bale.