Nathan Cleary snubs Panthers teammate in massive prediction on Dally M medal winner

Penrith halfback Nathan Cleary has backed rival No.7 Jahrome Hughes to win the Dally M award having admitted the Storm star outshone even Dylan Edwards this year on their way to the grand final. The Storm finished as minor premiers in 2024 with Hughes producing a career-best year to guide his team around the park without the likes of Cameron Munster for a large portion of the season.

Hughes is widely touted as the frontrunner for the Dally M award on Wednesday, despite Panthers and NSW fullback Edwards leading the tally on 31 points when voting went behind closed door. The Storm halfback has plenty of points to make up, but the No.7 found his form after round 11 when Munster was injured for 11 weeks.

Edwards would have missed out on points during the State of Origin series and when he injured his knee heading into the final stretch of the season. And ahead of the grand final, Cleary has backed his rival halfback to take home the individual medal for the first time.

"He's been a pleasure to watch all year, he's been on fire. He's been the best player this year for sure," Cleary said of his international counterpart.

"He's definitely the best running halfback I've just about ever seen. The way he takes on the line, he's constantly a threat. I think he's added a lot of other stuff to his game as well just in terms of game management and ball playing."

Hughes carried his regular season form into the finals having scored three tries against the Roosters to move into the grand final. But it hasn't just been his improved running game that has taken the game by storm this season. The 29-year-old has recorded career-high try assists (26) and kick metres (351 per game) in 2024 to catapult him as favourite for the game's most prestigious individual award.

Hughes may have big competition from Kangaroos and Roosters fullback James Tedesco in the race. The No.1 has been the Roosters' best in 2024 and played the majority of the season having not taken part in Origin Game 2 and 3. Tedesco was on 23 points when the voting went behind closed doors and will be hoping to add another medal to his 2019 award.

The first New Zealand star to win the Dally M award was Gary Freeman. Since then he has been joined by lock Jason Taumalolo and fullback Roger Tuivasa-Sheck. Shaun Johnson narrowly missed out last year. However, it appears Hughes could be set to join the illustrious group. The Storm halfback was also rested for the away clash against the Cowboys in round 25, which could have cost him six points in the voting system.

Nathan Cleary taking notes on Jahrome Hughes

Regardless of the Dally M outcome, Cleary admitted he has taken note of Hughes' form in 2024. Having sat out with a hamstring injury in the middle of the season, and then his shoulder at the end, Cleary has had plenty of time to watch his rival halfback ahead of the grand final.

"He's a great player," Cleary added. "I have a lot of admiration watching other halves that are really killing it and try to pick their game apart and add it to mine."

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Elsewhere, Canberra five-eighth Ethan Strange, Cronulla centre Kayal Iro and Dolphins winger Jack Bostock are all vying for the rookie of the year award. Unfortunately, one of the would-be favourites, Lachlan Galvin is unable to win the award after a two-game ban.