Roger Tuivasa-Sheck has claimed his first Dally M Medal, edging out Kalyn Ponga and Luke Brooks after claiming three votes in the final round of the competition.
Kalyn Ponga held the lead right throughout the count, however was overtaken for the first time in Round 22. He got it back in Round 23 though, picking up two votes after to edge out Brooks after the Tigers halfback became the shock leader.
Round 24 saw the status quo remain at the top, with Ponga holding a one-point lead to both Tuivasa-Sheck and Brooks.
With Ponga on the sidelines in the final round and Brooks unable to register a point, Tuivasa-Sheck claimed three to top the count, claiming his first Dally M. He is the first New Zealand Warrior to win the award, and only the third New Zealander after Gary Freeman in 1992 and Jason Taumalolo in 2016.
Valentine Holmes finished strongly, but finished four points off the pace, while Mitchell Pearce ended up in fifth, just six votes off the lead despite missing a third of the season through injury.
The team of the year was headlined by Taumalolo, Brooks, Tuivasa-Sheck and Rabbitohs hooker Damien Cook, who also ended up in the top ten.
In other awards, Anthony Seibold won coach of the year, Cameron Smith won captain of the year, Jamayne Isaako was named rookie of the year and Brittany Breayley received the gong for women’s player of the year.
Final Dally M leaderboard for 2018
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (Warriors) – 29 votes
Kalyn Ponga (Knights) – 27 votes
Luke Brooks (Tigers) – 26 votes
Valentine Holmes (Sharks) – 25 votes
Mitchell Pearce (Knights) – 23 votes
Jason Taumalolo (Cowboys) – 19 votes
Cameron Munster (Storm) – 19 votes
Ash Taylor (Titans) – 18 votes
Damien Cook (Rabbitohs) – 18 votes
Issac Luke (Warriors) – 18 votes
Team of the year
Fullback: Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (Warriors)
Winger: Blake Ferguson (Roosters)
Centre: Joseph Leilua (Raiders)
Five-eighth: Cameron Munster (Storm)
Halfback: Luke Broosk (Tigers)
Prop: Andrew Fifita (Sharks)
Hooker: Damien Cook (Rabbitohs)
Second Row: Josh Jackson (Bulldogs)
Lock: Jason Taumalolo (Cowboys)
Interchange: Jazz Tevaga (Warriors)
Other awards
Coach of the year: Anthony Seibold (Rabbitohs)
Captain of the year: Cameron Smith (Storm)
Rookie of the year: Jamayne Isaako (Broncos)
Provan-Summons medal: Damien Cook (Rabbitohs)
Ken Stephen medal: Ryan James (Titans)
Headline moment of the year (Peter Frilingos Memorial Award): Women’s State of Origin match
Dally M women’s player of the year: Brittany Breayley (Broncos)
Top try-scorer (Ken Irvine Medal): David Fusitu’a (Warriors)
Dogs Boddy
Roar Rookie
Nobody did, They don't get a lot of love from channel 9.
Nat
Roar Guru
Hahahaha, beautifully set up and put away!
The Barry
Roar Guru
The Dally M second rower of the year award says that Jackson was better than Frizell in 2018. The rest of my post is making the case that Jackson is a better player than Frizell all round
BA Sports
Roar Guru
For fans who care that much, you should look at the judges early in the year so you don't have to be shocked at the end of the year when there are questionable choices. Mark Geyer and Wally Lewis have a say in this system. Let me repeat that. Mark Geyer and Wally Lewis..... While everything is subjective when viewing a game, anyone who has listened to these guys commentate knows that sometimes they are watching a totally different game to the rest of us
Adam Bagnall
Roar Guru
Dally M 2018 awards do not take into account previous achievements. Only for 2018 games, so most of your post is irrelevant.
The Barry
Roar Guru
The hardest Frizell runs is when he’s chasing wingers he can’t catch...
The Barry
Roar Guru
Once per half...
Greg
Guest
So the award should be changed to 'Dally M Most Valuable Player to a Team' and not 'Dally M Player of the Year' which it is marketed as. RTS may have been the most valuable player this season but he wasn't even close to being the best.
Adam Bagnall
Roar Guru
I dont agree. Beyond making tackles and hit ups Jackson offers little else. Frizell bends the line, breaks tackles and runs much harder
The Barry
Roar Guru
If you consider one good run per half and 39 minutes of MIA then Frizell certainly “starred” for the Dragons. To poll votes Jackson still needs to be better than at least 31 of the other players on the field regardless of whether they’re on his team or the opposition. Same as Frizell.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Dally M second rower of the year awards Jackson 2 Frizell 0 State of Origin MoM awards Jackson 1 Frizell 0 Brad Fittler medals Jackson 1 Frizell 0 Grand final appearances Jackson 2 Frizell 0 Look at the scoreboard....
The Barry
Roar Guru
Jackson burns both of those blokes. If they weigh the scoring more heavily in favour of one good run per half or smashing little halfbacks after they’ve passed Frizell and Sims will poll better.
Nat
Roar Guru
Hard to give an emphatic yes because I'm not watching every game with that POV. His stats are strong but I think Jackson is one of those 1% backrowers. Big minutes, cover tackles, kick pressure, a bit of ball playing and very few errors. He may not make the highlight reels but he won't be the one missing the attempt on those that do.
The Barry
Roar Guru
One cultural way of celebrating is to dress in a tuxedo, drink heaps of p1ss and applaud when someone wins an award. Another way is to do a haka. Good to see different cultures celebrated.
The Barry
Roar Guru
That was brilliant! I love how proud of his culture Isaac Luke is. Good on them for celebrating with a haka...it was awesome.
RTS
Guest
RTS missed a few games due to injury as well
Adam
Roar Guru
Because Frizell and Sims had a pretty bad run for at least the rounds after Origin. I think Jackson is deserving as he was much more consistent that Frizell and Sims. The awards are for the most consistent players over the entire season. So making Origin really isn't a measure of anything other than who made Origin.
Chris
Roar Pro
He's better all around but can you legitimately say Jackson was the best second-rower in 2018?
Big Daddy
Guest
Exactly right. It's like winning a gold logie or any logie. Saying grant Denyer has a lot of talent or is the most popular and got the most votes.
Nat
Roar Guru
Jackson is an all round better player than both. Points are allocated for consistently good play not 1 impact run or jamming a halfback. His not making Origin is purely a victim Freddy's 'new blood' policy but his last appearance earned MoM award. Sims went a long way to costing a sweep in the SOO series.