Roosters and Broncos dominate NRLW Dally M nominations
September 29, 2025 — 5.00am
NRLW grand finalists Sydney Roosters and Brisbane Broncos have dominated the 2025 Dally M women’s nominations, with the Tricolours leading the count with 13, two clear of the Broncos.
Skipper’s Isabelle Kelly and Ali Brigginshaw were rewarded for their teams’ success this season – with the Roosters undefeated in 2025 and the Broncos’ only loss coming to the Roosters – by being nominated for captain of the year, along with Newcastle’s Yasmin Clydsdale.
Coaches John Strange and Scott Prince were similarly recognised by being nominated for coach of the year, along with Ricky Henry, who helped lead the Cowboys to their first finals series just two years after joining the competition.
Kelly has also been nominated for centre of the year – which she won in 2024, 2023 and 2022 – and for the Provan-Summons Medal, on behalf of the Roosters, which is awarded to the player deemed by Dally M judges to have displayed the ‘true spirit of the game’ through their on-field actions.
Reigning Dally M medal winner Olivia Kernick, centre Jess Sergis, playmaker Jocelyn Kelleher, halfback Tarryn Aiken (who will miss the grand final due to an ACL injury), hooker Keeley Davis, props Otesa Pule and Rima Butler, and second rower Aliyah Nasio are the other Roosters’ players nominated in their positional categories.
The only positional category a Roosters player was not nominated in was fullback, with Parramatta’s Abbi Church, North Queensland’s Jakiya Whitfeld and Brisbane’s Tamika Upton the three nominations.
The Tricolours also missed out on a nomination for rookie of the year, with Raiders fullback Elise Simpson, Dragons centre Indie Bostock and Broncos forward Shalom Sauaso the three nominees.
Bostock was the Dragons’ only nomination. The Tigers, Raiders, Sharks and Warriors each received two nominations.
Newcastle were the third-most nominated club with Jesse Southwell named in the halfback of the year category, Sheridan Gallagher for winger of the year, and Clydsdale in second row along with her captain of the year nomination.
Players were ineligible for Dally M nominations at the awards at Randwick Racecourse on Wednesday night if they are suspended for two or more matches.
Captain of the Year: Ali Brigginsahw (Broncos), Isabelle Kelly (Roosters), Yasmin Clydesdale (Knights).
Rookie of the Year: Elise Simpson (Raiders), Indie Bostock (Dragons), Shalom Sauaso (Broncos).
Provan-Summons Medal: Isabelle Kelly (Roosters), Montana Clifford (Tigers), Shaniece Monschau and Shaquaylah Mahakitau-Monschau (Bulldogs).