Sydney Roosters superstar James Tedesco has won the Dally M Medal for a second time, sprinting away with the crown after a spectacular year on the field.
Tedesco produced a stunning season to lead the Roosters into the NRL finals, scoring 11 tries and running for 194 metres per game to add a second Dally M Medal to the one he claimed in 2019.
The Roosters skipper played in all 25 games this year, peeling off 22 try assists and 21 line breaks to further enhance his standing as one of the game's finest ever fullbacks.
Tedesco has faced plenty of criticism throughout the past couple of years but is proud of the way he has battled through some tough times to remain at the top of his game.
Tedesco claims his second Dally M Medal
"I'm at a different point in my life, part of my career," Tedesco said. "I've had a lot of critics and doubters the last couple of years so to be back on this stage winning this medal is a proud achievement for myself.
"I'm really happy to be up here receiving this award alongside so many great players."
The 32-year-old was third when voting went behind closed doors after Round 12, three points behind Warriors halfback Luke Metcalf.
Tedesco ran away with the title in the end, finishing 22 points clear of Nathan Cleary, who edged Isaiya Katoa and Payne Haas by one point.
The veteran becomes the first Rooster to win the coveted award twice, with Gary Freeman (1992) and Todd Carney (2010) the club's other winners.
The 2025 Dally M NRL Team of the Year
The fullback is also the ninth man to win multiple Dally M medals, joining some of the game's greats in the process. Cameron Smith, Peter Sterling and Andrew Johns are among the players in the elite group.
It was a bumper evening for Tedesco, with the veteran also named Fullback of the Year and Captain of the Year.
The skipper led a young Roosters side to the finals, despite many outsiders predicting the club would miss the eight following the departure of a host of stars last season.
Coach Trent Robinson has repeatedly praised Tedesco's leadership, while the fullback said the club's young guns helped get the best out of his game.
"I can't do this without my teammates," Tedesco said. "The young boys, the eight debutants who played a big part in our season.
"Coming into work everyday was a joy, I had a smile on my face and it was so much fun working with you boys and leading you boys out every week. I can't thank you boys enough for letting me be myself, letting me be the best version of myself. I loved captaining you boys all year."
