Broncos star Julia Robinson was left heartbroken on Wednesday night as she fell just short of claiming the NRLW’s top individual honour, the Dally M Medal.
Robinson, who had been heavily favoured to win, was edged out by teammate Tamika Upton by three points after her coach’s decision to rest her in the second last round of the season proved costly.
Upton, Brisbane’s fullback, delivered a standout performance in Round 10, scoring two tries and collecting five of a possible six points while Robinson watched from the sidelines.
The effort lifted Upton past Robinson on the leaderboard, a gap that remained when both women polled three points in the final round.
The result handed Upton her second consecutive Dally M Medal, having previously won the award while at Newcastle in 2023.
Before being rested, Robinson had been leading the count.
The decision by Broncos coach Scott Prince is now seen as decisive in denying the 27-year-old the honour.
Throughout the tense closing moments of the tally, Robinson fought back tears and tried to smile, determined not to detract from her friend and teammate’s achievement.
Fans, however, expressed frustration at the outcome.
“Imagine getting rested and losing the Dally M by 3 points,” one wrote on X.
“My heart is broken for her, that’s gotta hurt so bad,” another added.
“So being rested in R10 cost Julia Robinson.. It’s a team sport, but I hate seeing players taken out of consideration because of a coach’s decision,” a third said.
Meanwhile, in the men’s competition, Roosters captain James Tedesco claimed the Dally M Medal for the second time.
The 32-year-old fullback delivered arguably the best season of his career, finishing with 67 votes – 22 clear of Panthers halfback Nathan Cleary, who polled 45. Dolphins rising star Isaiya Katoa finished close behind with 44 votes.
Final Dally M NRL leaderboard
- James Tedesco 67
- Nathan Cleary 45
- Isaiya Katoa 44
- Payne Haas 44
- Blayke Brailey 42
- Tom Dearden 42
- Reece Walsh 41
- Luke Metcalf 40
- Daly Cherry-Evans 39
- Will Kennedy 37
Final Dally M NRLW leaderboard
- Tamika Upton 35
- Julia Robinson 32
- Jesse Southwell 31
- Isabelle Kelly 29
- Rachael Pearson 24
- Jakiya Whitfeld 22
- Yasmin Clydsdale 21
- Emma Verran 20
- Tarryn Aiken 18
- Olivia Kernick 17
Images: Instagram
