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Storm player Billy Slater skips away from Andrew McCullough. AAP Image/Action Photographics, Colin Whelan
Melbourne fullback Billy Slater was named the Dally M player of the year last night as the Storm dominated proceedings. It continues the clubs remarkable recovery in the wake of the toughest penalties handed to any side in the history of the NRL. Will a premiership be next?
Slater, who was rested for the final match of the season, finished the night with 29 votes two clear of Benji Marshall.
Craig Bellamy was named coach of the year, Cooper Cronk the halfback while Slater was also recognised as the best fullback in the game.
Smith would’ve been running empty on acceptance speeches after also being named captain and representative player of the year.
One thing the ceremony did highlight however is the lack of love for the big men of the game.
It seems Cronulla second rower Gavin Miller could hold a special place in rugby league’s record books for some time.
He won back to back Dally M’s in 1988 and 1989, but since then no forward, excluding hookers, has won the gong.
Since 1990 every Dally M award presented has been to a fullback, hooker, halfback or five-eighth.
That may come as a surprise to … well no-one really, but it does raise a question: Do we undervalue the brilliant big men in rugby league?
There’s no doubt Benji Marshall and Slater are responsible for bringing more people through the gate.
They’re the entertainers. Everyone likes to see a flick pass and a huge cut-out ball, but what about the men who truck it up the middle on countless occasions? Aren’t they the ones who lay the platform for the playmakers?
It may not be flashy work, but I feel it gets undervalued when the votes are being cast.
It’s great that Matt Scott was given a little time in the spotlight last night when he was named prop of the year, but a little more recognition would’ve been nice in the overall count.
Paul Gallen, arguably the best forward in the world, took out lock of the year. He was in second spot when voting went secret after round 16 trailing Johnathan Thurston by six points. He’d finish level on points with Thurston on 24 five points behind Slater in equal fourth spot.
It seems we love our tough nuts when passions run along maroon and blue lines during State of Origin. The Peter Frilingos headline moment of the year went to Gallen for his inspirational effort at prop for New South Wales during Origin 2. The Blues’ skipper got more press than any of his team-mates during that period, but when it comes to the NRL it seems we prefer skill over toughness.
Still, no-one can deny that Slater is deserving of the award. He’ll end up as a great, not just of his era, but of the game.
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