Raiders rookie Ethan Sanders, Warriors workhorse Jackson Ford, Sharks playmaker Braydon Trindall and 2023 Dally M Medal winner Kalyn Ponga are setting the early pace in the race for the game's most prestigious individual honour.
Ponga set the standard with a superb display in the Knights' win over the Cowboys in Las Vegas before Ford, Trindall and Sanders produced outstanding performances to also collect the full six votes on offer.
Ford was mammoth for the Warriors with 218 metres from 22 runs while Trindall scored two tries and laid on four more in Cronulla's 50-10 thumping of the Titans.
Playing just his fifth NRL game, Sanders then stepped up to nail a match-winning field goal in golden point as the Raiders edged Manly 29-28 in a thriller at 4 Pines Park.
The winning moment: Enter Ethan Sanders
Dally M Medal Round 1 votes
Knights v Cowboys
- Dally M votes: Kalyn Ponga 6, Dylan Brown 4, Dom Young 1, Bradman Best 1.
Bulldogs v Dragons
- Dally M votes: Stephen Crichton 5, Viliame Kikau 3, Matt Burton 2, Lachlan Galvin 1, Damien Cook 1.
Storm v Eels
- Dally M votes: Harry Grant 5, Stefano Utoikamanu 5, Joe Chan 1, Sua Faalogo 1.
Warriors v Roosters
- Dally M votes: Jackson Ford 6, James Tedesco 3, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 2, Tanah Boyd 1.
Broncos v Panthers
- Dally M votes: Dylan Edwards 5, Isaah Yeo 5, Nathan Cleary 2.
Sharks v Titans
- Dally M votes: Braydon Trindall 6, Nicho Hynes 4, Jesse Ramien 2.
Sea Eagles v Raiders
- Dally M votes: Ethan Sanders 6, Tom Trbojevic 2, Hudson Young 2, Tolu Koula 2.
Dolphins v Rabbitohs
- Dally M votes: Cody Walker 3, Cameron Murray 3, Keaon Koloamatangi 2, Isaiya Katoa 2, David Fifita 1, Latrell Mitchell 1.
