Jahrome Hughes of the Storm celebrates scoring a try Photo: PHOTOSPORT
The Melbourne Storm's Kiwi halfback Jahrome Hughes has edged out Sydney's James Tedesco to win the NRL's top award.
Hughes won the Dally M Medal by one vote.
As the event was wrapping up, Hughes's Melbourne teammate Will Warbrick charged forward from the back of the ball room at the Royal Randwick Racecourse.
As he came forward, Storm star Eli Katoa and Canberra's Joe Tapine descended the stairs to join Warbrick in an emotional haka for their Kiwi teammate.
Hughes became just the fourth New Zealander to win the award after Gary Freeman (1992), Jason Taumalolo (2016) and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (2018).
Hughes held a one-vote lead over Tedesco heading into final round.
"I never thought I'd be a halfback in the NRL," Hughes said after receiving the award. "I thought I was a fullback until a guy called Papenhuyzen took my spot. I had to find a spot somewhere else in the team and Craig [Bellamy] made it halfback.
Roosters back rower Olivia Kernick was named the NRLW's best player for the first time.
Both Dally M winners will look to add to their silverware on Sunday, with Kernick's Roosters come up against the Cronulla Sharks before Hughes's Melbourne Storm meet three-time defending premiers Penrith.
ABC with additional reporting by RNZ