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The likely contenders for Dally M glory

25th August, 2011
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25th August, 2011
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Melbourne Storm celebrate a Cameron Smith try

NRL Rugby League, Melbourne Storm v Warriors at Etihad Stadium. Digital image by Brett Crockford, © nrlphotos

Anticipation for the NRL Finals continues to grow as September looms large, and while the Grand Final will be the pinnacle for some, the Dally M Awards will also be a highly contested event. Here are some of the contenders.

PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Cameron Smith.
WHY: Why not. This man is a machine. He makes 40 tackles each game and plays the same after tackle 40 as he does after tackle 1.

In attack, he is the most damaging dummy-half in rugby league…daylight second. He seems to have endless vision.

He picks up on and isolates weaknesses in the opposition like no-one else. Maybe Johnathan Thurston would have gotten it without the injury but I think Cam’s the man.

The combination of his leadership, vision, kicking, passing, running and defensive game is what makes him the best in the league.

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR: Daly Cherry-Evans.
WHY: As much as I’ve enjoyed watching Jack Reed burst into the league and dominate like an old pro I’d give Daly the nod ahead of him for a few reasons.

Daly has been one half of the most exciting young halves pairings in the league for years. He’s steered Manly around the park like a veteran of the game all season.

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I’d also give the award to him over Reed or Tariq Sims because he’s playing probably the hardest and most competitive position in the game.

He was a surprise packet this year and has played out of his skin.

REPRESENTATIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Darren Lockyer
WHY: Realistically, Paul Gallen or Cam Smith probably deserve this more but I can’t help but think Locky deserves to win this on reputation alone.

In saying that, he did captain Queensland to six straight series wins, and will captain Australia in a tour of the UK.

FULLBACK OF THE YEAR: Billy Slater.
WHY: No prizes for guessing this one. In the last few years he’s added so many more strings to his bow (kicking, passing, size, leadership etc) and removed, for the most part, those mistakes that were a regular occurrence in earlier years. The guy’s a freak.

WINGER OF THE YEAR: Jharal Yow Yeh.
WHY: Winger is always a tough position to pick. I’ve given Yow Yeh the nod ahead of Jason Nightingale because he’s just a more complete player. Astonishingly strong at both ends of the park with blistering pace.

If he can tighten up his defensive positioning he will be unstoppable.

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CENTRE OF THE YEAR: Jack Reed
WHY: It’s at this point I think it’s probably best to remind anyone reading this out there, that this is who I think should be selected and not who I think will be.

I think Greg Inglis will probably get the award, but Jack’s impressed me this season as much as any other centre in the league.

For starters, Reed was at his peak from go-to-woe whereas it seems to take GI 7-10 rounds to actually be fit. Jack looks like a complete player and seems to be impossible to take down.

Not only has he shown a great ability to get over the line, his capacity to set up his outside man is excellent (particular considering his centre partner is seemingly incapable of doing it).

FIVE-EIGHTH OF THE YEAR: Benji Marshall
WHY: I think this is one of the toughest positions to pick. As much as I’d love to give this one to the great Darren Lockyer, Benji would have to get it in my opinion because he has had a phenomenal season.

This is still an incredibly competitive position, thanks to the likes of Kieran Foran, James Maloney, Gareth Widdop and the aforementioned great one. It’s great to see Marshall in this sort of form.

After his bad run of injuries I didn’t think he would ever reach this level again. It’s great for the game, great for him, and great to see.

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HALFBACK OF THE YEAR: Johnathan Thurston
WHY: This one genuinely needs no justification and thus I will not give one.

LOCK OF THE YEAR: Paul Gallen
WHY: Well, I don’t like the man but he knows how to churn out the tackles, metres and hit-ups. I think it may actually speak volumes more about him that I can respect his ability this much and dislike him that much as a personality.

SECOND ROWER OF THE YEAR: Sam Thaiday.
WHY: This one is almost impossible to call. Gareth Ellis, David Taylor and Adam Blair would all be worthy recipients.

I’d give it to Sammy because of the obvious reasons (metres, tackles, hit-ups etc.), but also, he is the most enthusiastic professional footballer I’ve ever seen.

In saying all this, I wouldn’t be disappointed if someone else won.

HOOKER OF THE YEAR: Cameron Smith
WHY: The next best hooker in the game is either Michael Ennis or Robbie Farah but when either of them play against Smith they just look totally outclassed.

If a man is judged next to his peers then Smith is truly one of the greats.

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PROP OF THE YEAR: Matt Scott
WHY: I have been so impressed by Matt Scott this year. He was Queensland’s best forward (bar Cameron Smith) in this year’s origin series and I think losing him was arguably more dangerous to the Cowboys’ season than the loss of Thurston.

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