An emotional Jarryd Hayne revealed winning the Dally M Medal was the most memorable moment of his life. “It is the best thing that has happened to me, words just can’t explain, when my name got read out I felt like crying,” Hayne said.
A sensational run of form in the second half of the NRL season helped the Parramatta star overtake North Queensland’s Johnathan Thurston to win the game’s most prestigious individual honour by a single point, with St George Illawarra five-eighth Jamie Soward finishing third.
The 21-year-old, who received his award from Prime Minister Kevin Rudd at the ceremony in Sydney on Tuesday was also named at fullback in the team of the year.
He picked up three points in every match between round 19 to 24, as he inspired the Eels run into the finals on the back of seven successive victories.
That purple patch helped Hayne pip Thurston, who led the competition by five points when judging went silent after round 16.
A single point in the Eels’ 48-6 demolition of Penrith in round 24 gave Hayne an unassailable 29 points to become the first Eels player to win the award since Peter Sterling in 1987.
Hayne had just 11 points when the voting went silent but then had a stunning run of form, highlighted by a magnificent chip and chase that led to him scoring a try against Wests Tigers in an epic encounter at the SCG in round 23.
“Obviously this has been my best season to date, but I have to thank all the people that have been a part of building me, from the Parramatta club to the Fijian World Cup, if I hadn’t have gone there I wouldn’t be standing here now,” he said.
Hayne said the opening State of Origin game in Melbourne was the turning point for his season but he was quick to pay tribute to those who had shaped his career.
“I can’t thank enough people for helping me out and not giving up on me,” he said.
“From Hayden Knowles the trainer at Parramatta to my coach Daniel Anderson who has been so good for me and to Jason Taylor who gave me my first grade debut.”
The night also proved to be a highly successful one for the Bulldogs who picked up eight awards, including Kevin Moore being named coach of the year and Jamal Idris rookie of the year.
The Bulldogs also dominated the team of the year award with four players named.
Centre Josh Morris, lock David Stagg, prop Ben Hannant and hooker Michael Ennis were rewarded for a superb season that has seen the Bulldogs go from 2008 wooden spoon winners to minor premier runners-up.
It was a fine way to cap off a first season with the Bulldogs for Stagg, Hannant and Ennis who all joined the club from Brisbane at the start of this year.
Despite missing out on the main prize, two time winner Thurston and Soward did not finish the night empty handed, picking up the halfback and five-eighth awards.
Soward was also given the Provan and Summons Award which is voted on by supporters.
Anthony Watmough’s fine form for Manly helped him pick up the second-row spot with Wests Tigers’ bulldozing winger Taniela Tuiaki named best winger after a stellar season that yielded 21 tries.
Dally M Awards full list of winners:
Dally M Award: Jarryd Hayne (Parramatta)
Rookie of the Year: Jamal Idris (Bulldogs)
Coach of the Year: Kevin Moore (Bulldogs)Team of the year:
Fullback: Jarryd Hayne (Parramatta)
Winger: Taniela Tuiaki (Wests Tigers)
Centre: Josh Morris (Bulldogs)
Five-eighth: Jamie Soward (St George Illawarra)
Halfback: Johnathan Thurston (Nth Queensland)
Lock: David Stagg (Bulldogs)
Second row: Anthony Watmough (Manly)
Prop: Ben Hannant (Bulldogs)
Hooker: Michael Ennis (Bulldogs)Captain of the Year: Andrew Ryan (Bulldogs)
Rep Player: Greg Inglis (Melbourne)
Provan-Summons People’s Choice: Jamie Soward (St George)
Peter Frilingos Memorial Award: Nathan Merritt (Rabbitohs)
Top Point-scorer: Hazem El Masri (Bulldogs)
Top Try-scorer: Brett Morris (Dragons)
Toyota Cup Player of the Year: Beau Henry (Dragons)
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