Dally M Awards: Rugby League's Best Players Honoured Tonight

The rugby league community is gathering tonight in Sydney for the annual Dally M Awards, where the best players in the game will be crowned. Nathan Cleary and Tamika Upton are favourites to take home the top honours in the NRL and NRLW.

Newcastle coach Justin Holbrook was spotted chatting with Myles Houlbrook-Walk earlier tonight. Holbrook is still basking in the glory of his team's remarkable victory over Penrith on Sunday.

"The nerves are fine, obviously a long week and it will go really fast, it already has," Holbrook says.

"We'll enjoy the week, but we know we have a job to do on Sunday but I'm still over the moon."

"That the win was as good as I've seen and can't wait to play on Sunday."

Holbrook remained tight-lipped about whether Harrison Graham, the replacement named for the suspended Phoenix Crossland, will play the full 80 minutes of the season decider.

"He's fit enough, so he might do," Holbrook says.

Meanwhile, Penrith Panthers players have arrived at the ceremony, including Isaah Yeo, Casey McLean, Dylan Edwards, and Tom Jenkins. Nathan Cleary may not be in attendance, having recently undergone surgery for a lower leg injury.

Thomas Jenkins has already secured one award tonight as the league's top try scorer. He spoke about Sunday's dramatic loss to Penrith.

"It's obviously such an unfortunate it's one of those things where the outcome's the outcome, we're just going to deal with it and move on," Jenkins says.

"Yeah, he's going really well. He's inexperienced. He's absolutely devastated, but we're all rallying behind him," Jenkins says, discussing Nathan Cleary's recovery.

The ceremony is set to begin, with the NRL not revealing which players are nominated for each position, promising a series of surprises.

As for the NRL Dally M Medal winner, all indications point to Nathan Cleary, despite his absence tonight.

In related news, Newcastle icons Silverchair will not be re-forming to perform on grand final day, despite pleas from Andrew Johns and others.

"For the first time in ages, the three of us agree wholeheartedly about something: GO KNIGHTS!!!" Daniel Johns posted on his Instagram stories.

"We're way too rusty, so sorry, no can do. We won't be taking the stage, but we'll be supporting as loudly as everyone else and there in spirit."

"Wishing the Newy players all the luck in the world this Sunday. UP THE KNIGHTS!!! From The Chair."