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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Jon Healy
Guest
Boydy. If the broncos are cheating the cap then they are doing a terrible ob of it. Their biggest name is Lockyer who we know took a massive pay-cut to allow them to keep the younger guys. Then Hodges, who actually be getting paid a fair bit - which is frustrating considering he hasn't had a good season in at least three years and the broncos just resigned him for three more years. Then Hannant who was desperate to come back so they got him pretty cheap. And the rest of the team are either young talents who are still on their first contracts or middle-range players (Scott Anderson, Parker etc.)
Boydy
Guest
Ooops. Forgot hooker... Smith will get it but if they ever stop him throwing forward passes from dummy half, his hit-up forwards wont give him the extra yards he needs to look good around the ruck.
Boydy
Guest
Close to the mark with most I reckon Ryan. You got Benji right. I think, he's an absolute genius, (shame he's not Australian and a New South Welshman). Cherry-Evens is a shoe-in for rookie (what a talent that kid is!) Rep player, please - turn it up! If that doesn't go to Paul Gallen then that will be a disgrace. Captain, that's a matter of opinion (both Smith & Lockyer are captains of salary-cap cheating teams so ????). Fullback: No brainer! As much as he's a little SH*T, he's a great footballer (just a shame he continues to kick blokes in the head when they score and hates EVERY call that goes against him). Winger: OH COME ON! PLEASE!!! Uate is the breath of fresh air the comp has needed since we had to have blokes like Lote & Wendell come back to the NRL. Centre...Neither Gasnier or Jennings would be in the mix in my opinion..... how about a bloke by the name of ??????. THAT'S RIGHT I can't really think of one who's been an outstanding performer consistently! Has there actually been a top performed centre this year - ALL YEAR? Blake Ashford could probably lay claim to that. 5/8TH Again, no brainer.... Benji makes most footballers look like they're dodge-ball players. Half back... again, that kid Cherry-Evans' name comes to mind (he's seriously talented) but seriously, 'How good is Cooper Cronk?" Fair dinkum! Look out JT, he's coming to get your spot in the Qld team! (Won't matter though, cause now Lockyer's retiring, they'll move JT to 5/8th). Front rower, Keith Galloway, bar none. Consistent in defence, consistent in attack. Top prop! 2nd rower, Nathan Hindmarsh (as he has been for the last 8 years at least) - Except I must say, that Gareth Ellis is phenomenal "How good is Gareth Ellis? - I mean, seriously?" Lock forward I really don't know. Plenty of contenders, and plenty of pretenders. I could say Heignington (he's had a great season but then again, I'm a Tiger supporter). I must say.... I love that kid from Newcastle, Joel Edwards - (he's going places that boy). Finally I'd just like to say, sure, people wont agree with me.... I hope you don't because that's what makes opinion great but remember one thing..... LOVE YOUR FOOTY! Boydy.
Ryan Conners
Guest
Dally M Player Of The Year : Benji Marshall / Cameron Smith Dally M Rookie Of The Year : Jack Reed / Daly Cherry-Evans Dally M Represenative Player Of The Year : Darren Lockyer / Billy Slater Dally M Captain Of The Year : Cameron Smith / Darren Lockyer Dally M Fullback Of The Year : Billy Slater / Ben Barba Dally M Winger Of The Year : Jharal Yow Yeh / Akuila Uate Dally M Centre Of The Year : Mark Gasnier / Michael Jennings Dally M Five-Eight Of The Year : Benji Marshall / Kieran Foran Dally M Halfback Of The Year : Johnathan Thurston / Trent Hodkinson Dally M Front Rower Of The Year : Matthew Scott / Tim Mannah Dally M Hooker Of The Year : Cameron Smith / Matthew Ballin Dally M Second Rower Of The Year : Ben Creagh / Nathan Hindmarsh Dally M Lock Forward Of The Year : Paul Gallen / Greg Bird That are my Dally M predictions for 2011 and can I ask does anyone know the date of the announcement?
Jon Healy
Guest
I admitted in the article that Locky getting rep player of the year was essentially an honourary win (and I don't really expect it to happen). Thaiday getting second-rower of the year once again, I admitted was too close to call and that basically any of the other stars could get it and I wouldn't complain. Also, I admitted Reed was a turn up and until you give me a better centre (aside from GI) I stand by it. Yow Yeh, this one I stand by. I've been pretty underwhelmed by the wingers in the NRL this year a Jharal has performed extremely well. As for the dominant presence of Queenslanders in there...well, there's a reason QLD has won 6 straight series and that's because, right now, QLD has the best players in the league. Also, Boydy, every major city in Australia has papers that write about their own cities in very biased ways. (just off the top of my head...maybe...SMH) I can't help but imagine this will be the last time I reply in this much detail to one of my own articles. I'm exhausted
Boydy
Guest
Jonathan Healy's is a Brisbane boy who's favourite sporting team is Melbourne Storm (go figure, can you believe that??!!) He's also doing journalism at QUT so he'll be perfect for the Courier Mail when he gets his pips. Then he can combine his two greatest passions, and spend all his time writing about Queenslanders.
Will Sinclair
Guest
Yow Yeh as winger of the year is baffling as well...
Ken
Guest
.. I'll go further and say Broncos fan - it's the only way he could have come up with Jack Reed, Sam Thaiday and Lockyer. The other calls were all pretty hard to argue though.
Will Sinclair
Guest
Jonathon - I'm going to go out on a limb and guess that you're a Queenslander...
The Barry
Roar Guru
Slater and Cronk take up a lot of Smiths potential points. A lot of Smiths work goes unnoticed as well. There's some brilliant moments but really it's the sum total of everything he does during a game that leaves you sitting back going "How good was that?" I don't know that his style of play always gets it's just rewards in these sorts of awards. Makes you realise that despite some of the challenges RL is facing and the constant criticism from guys like Gould that we're in a bit of a 'golden era'. At the moment we've got the following running around : arguably the best hooker and fullbacks of all time, a future immortal, one of the most unique and naturally talented players (Marshall) of all time and one of the top halfbacks ever in Thurston - that's without eveb getting into any of the other 'superstars' like Inglis, Hayne, Scott, Gallen, Cronk, Thaiday, etc. We've also got a great crop of youngsters (Foran, Cherry-Evans, Sims, Barba, Gardner, Reed, Yow-Yeh, Dugan, Idris) Having said all that I reckon Marshall will probably get the Dally M for a few reasons : 1. He had a few points under his belt anyway when the voting went behind closed doors 2. The Tigers have hit form since 3. The Tigers go well when Benji goes well 4. He wins the Channel 9 MOM every week
Rugby Realist
Guest
Would love to see Cam Smith get Dally M, but with the way the points are formulated its unlikely. Especially when Billy Slater will also steal some of him and Bellamy eased him back from Origin. Best player in league, just probably wont be awarded Dally M. I hope I am wrong though.
Bill Baxter
Guest
Cameron Smith is also a very good goal kicker!!!