The awards are named in honour of Australian former rugby league great Herbert Henry "Dally" Messenger.

The Rothmans Medal was the first official player-of-the-year award to be established in rugby league in Australia.

The Dally M Medal was named after Henry Herbert 'Dally' Messenger, who was instrumental in the establishment of rugby league football in Australia.

For many years, it was the second major individual award in the New South Wales Rugby League behind the Rothmans Medal.

The medal was notably not awarded in 2003, with the players association threatening to boycott the event during a pay dispute with the league.