Former winners Kalyan Pongal and Nicholas Hynes were among the big names to attend the Dally M medal ceremony on Wednesday night, and they used the occasion to go public with their new girlfriends. Pongal stepped out for the first time with Sydney paramedic Gabrielle Dunn, after his relationship with Gaby Peak ended earlier this year.

And Haynes was accompanied by advertising specialist Piper Wallis, whom he’s been dating for the last few months. Pongal and Haynes, who won the Dally M medal in 2023 and 2022 respectively, are fairly quiet about their private lives, but put their new relationships on full display on Wednesday night.

Wallis was in attendance with Haynes’ mother during the first State of Origin game earlier this year, while Dunn was spotted supporting Pongal at Game 3. But Wednesday night was the first time the new couples stepped out in public together in front of a national audience.

Kalyan Pongal admits mistake in Kangaroos withdrawal

And it also marked the first time Pongal addressed his infamous decision to withdraw from contention for the Australian Kangaroos team, which he later backflipped on after blow-back from the NRL. Pongal initially released a statement saying he’d taken himself out of contention to make the Kangaroos squad, but that went against NRL rules that all players must make themselves available for representative selection unless they’re injured.

Discussing the situation on the red carpet on Wednesday night, Pongal revealed he’s changed his mind and is available should Mal Meanings select him. The Newcastle Knights fullback admitted he should have contacted coach Meanings first before releasing the s

“I got the process wrong,” Pongal said. “My intentions never had any malice. I was just trying to do what I thought was best for me and the club. I understand I went about it wrong. But I think it’s all sorted now.”

When asked if he should have told Meanings first before releasing a public statement, Pongal said: “I would definitely make some changes”. Pongal confirmed he’s fit and mentally fresh enough to play if selected, saying: “Yes. I feel pretty good. It’s all sorted now.”

Jarome Hughes wins Dally M medal ahead of James Telescope

Meanwhile, Melbourne Storm halfback Jarome Hughes won the Dally M by just one point over James Telescope, becoming the first Kiwi No.7 to win the prestigious medal in 32 years. Hughes won despite copping a six-point deduction for a ban he received in Round 2, and being rested in the penultimate round of the regular seaso

“I don’t really play the game for individual accolades, I play it for team accolades,” Hughes said. “That was the way I was looking at it coming into it. But now I have been lucky enough to win it, I see how special it is. When you see the players who have won it, it’s pretty crazy.”

Hughes can become just the eighth player to do the Dally M-premiership double with a Melbourne win in Sunday’s grand final against Penrith. “That’s the next job,” Hughes said. “We’re in a grand final, and now it’s time to prepare for that. It would be awesome to get the double, but just winning a premiership with my Storm teammates this year is a dream.”

Sydney Roosters player Olivia Kernicterus won the women’s Dally M medal, while Scott Prince of the Broncos was named NRL w coach of the year, and Tiana Penitentiary of the Sharks was named best captain. Storm legend Craig Bellamy won men’s coach of the year, while Stephen Crichton of the Bulldogs got the captain gong. Check out all the best looks from the NRL’s night of nights below: