Panthers superstar Nathan Cleary has climbed to the top of the Dally M Medal standings after another standout performance in the 18-16 win over the Sea Eagles.
With the game on the line it was Cleary who stood tall with 124 run metres, four tackle breaks, one try assist and 509 kick metres to earn five Dally M votes.
Fellow Panther Dylan Edwards collected another three votes as he ran for 244 metres and broke 10 tackles.
Cleary and Edwards are looking to emulate 1985 Dally M Medal winner Greg Alexander, the only Panther to have collected the game's most prestigious individual honour.
Picking up the full six votes in Round 9 were Roosters enforcer Nauhafu Whyte, Knights skipper Kalyn Ponga and Sharks playmaker Braydon Trindall but it's Cleary they all have to catch as he builds towards the State of Origin opener on May 27.
NRL Best Moments - Round 9
Dally M Medal Round 9 votes
Match: Bulldogs v Cowboys
Round 9 -
home Team
Bulldogs
12th Position
away Team
Cowboys
6th Position
Venue: Accor Stadium, Sydney
Bulldogs v Cowboys
- Dally M votes: Jason Taumalolo 4, Scott Drinkwater 3, Thomas Mikaele 3, Tom Chester 1, Reed Mahoney 1.
Match: Dolphins v Storm
Round 9 -
home Team
Dolphins
11th Position
away Team
Storm
16th Position
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Dolphins v Storm
- Dally M votes: Jack Bostock 3, Max Plath 3, Sua Faalogo 2, Herbie Farnworth 2, Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 2.
Match: Titans v Raiders
Round 9 -
home Team
Titans
14th Position
away Team
Raiders
13th Position
Venue: Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast
Titans v Raiders
- Dally M votes: Kaeo Weekes 5, Ethan Sanders 4, Simi Sasagi 3.
Match: Eels v Warriors
Round 9 -
home Team
Eels
15th Position
away Team
Warriors
2nd Position
Venue: CommBank Stadium, Sydney
Eels v Warriors
- Dally M votes: Erin Clark 3, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 3, Tanah Boyd 3, Ronald Volkman 2, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 1.
Match: Roosters v Broncos
Round 9 -
home Team
Roosters
3rd Position
away Team
Broncos
9th Position
Venue: Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Roosters v Broncos
- Dally M votes: Naufahu Whyte 6, James Tedesco 3, Reece Robson 2, Sam Walker 1.
Match: Knights v Rabbitohs
Round 9 -
home Team
Knights
10th Position
away Team
Rabbitohs
4th Position
Venue: McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
Knights v Rabbitohs
- Dally M votes: Kalyn Ponga 6, Latrell Mitchell 4, Trey Mooney 2.
Match: Sharks v Wests Tigers
Round 9 -
home Team
Sharks
8th Position
away Team
Wests Tigers
5th Position
Venue: Ocean Protect Stadium, Sydney
Sharks v Wests Tigers
- Dally M votes: Braydon Trindall 6, KL Iro 3, Nicho Hynes 2,
Blayke Brailey 1.
Match: Panthers v Sea Eagles
Round 9 -
home Team
Panthers
1st Position
away Team
Sea Eagles
7th Position
Venue: CommBank Stadium, Sydney
Panthers v Sea Eagles
- Dally M votes: Nathan Cleary 5, Dylan Edwards 3, Blaize Talagi 2, Haumole Olakau'atu 2.
Reminder: RTS has an elite step
Leaderboard after Round 9
33
NATHAN CLEARY (Panthers)
31
Jackson Ford (Warriors)
26
Dylan Edwards (Panthers)
25
Scott Drinkwater (Cowboys)
21
Braydon Trindall (Sharks)
James Tedesco (Roosters)
20
Adam Doueihi (Wests Tigers)
Latrell Mitchell (Rabbitohs)
17
Haumole Olakau'atu (Sea Eagles)
