The Dally M votes for Round 1 have been announced with one player getting three votes despite his team losing.
Warriors forward Josh Curran was adjudged the best player on the field at Sunshine Coast Stadium on Saturday evening despite his team going down to St George Illawarra 28-16.
Former Dally M winner Jack Wighton scored three votes in his team’s narrow win over Cronulla on Friday night while Canterbury forwards collected all the points from Sunday night’s tense triumph over North Queensland in Townsville.
Last year’s runaway winner Tom Trbojevic did not poll any votes after he was kept quiet in Manly’s 28-6 loss to the Panthers in the season opener on Thursday night.
Voting for the Dally M Medal will be publicised each week up until Round 12 when it goes behind closed doors.
Panthers v Sea Eagles
3: Isaah Yeo (Panthers)
2: Sean O’Sullivan (Panthers)
1: James Fisher-Harris (Panthers)
Judge: Andrew Johns
Raiders v Sharks
3: Jack Wighton (Raiders)
2: Joe Tapine (Raiders)
1: Blayke Brailey (Sharks)
Judge: Scott Sattler
Broncos v Rabbitohs
3: Payne Haas (Broncos)
2: Jai Arrow (Rabbitohs)
1: Pat Carrigan (Broncos)
Judge: Greg Alexander
Roosters v Knights
3: Jake Clifford (Knights)
2: Kalyn Ponga ( Knights )
1: David Klemmer ( Knights )
Judge: Steve Roach
Warriors v Dragons
3: Josh Curran (Warriors)
2: Ben Hunt (Dragons)
1: Mikaele Ravalawa (Dragons)
Judge: David Shillington
Tigers v Storm
3: Jahrome Hughes (Storm)
2: Ryan Papenhuyzen (Storm)
1: Daine Laurie (Tigers)
Judge: James Smith
Eels v Titans
3: Mitch Moses (Eels)
2: Reed Mahoney (Eels)
1: Toby Sexton (Titans)
Judge: Greg Inglis
Cowboys v Bulldogs
3: Luke Thompson (Bulldogs)
2: J Hetherington (Bulldogs)
1: A Seumanufagai (Bulldogs)
Judge: Ben Creagh
Storm legend Billy Slater believes out-of-favour Dragons veteran Tariq Sims would be a perfect acquisition for the injury-hit Melbourne squad.
Slater, on his new WWOS show, Billy’s Breakdown, said that Sims could have an immediate impact at the Storm if a deal could be struck. Sims was not picked in Round 1 and has been told by club management he can leave if he can find a suitable deal elsewhere.
“He’s an Origin player, he’s an aggressive forward and I’m sure there’d be 15 other teams that’d want Tariq Sims on their books,” Slater said.
“If the space is available on the cap I’m sure the Storm would explore that.”
Craig Bellamy said the Storm are “going to have to find some extra players from somewhere” after losing Welch and winger George Jennings (ACL) for the season on Saturday night and Brandon Smith for at least a month with a broken hand.
Another Storm legend, Cameron Smith, said Welch’s absence would be felt by the team in many ways.
“He’s a vital part of that footy side,” Smith said on SEN 1170 Breakfast. “He was just handed the co-captaincy of the club. “He was the sole captain on the weekend, and it was first game as captain and it’s just devastating. He’s a vital part of their success.
“He doesn’t carry the same profile or aura as a Jesse Bromwich or a Nelson Asofa-Solomona. But all the players and all the coaches rate him so highly in that system because of the small things he does on the field.
“Not so many fans see or not so many commentary people see but it’s the things he does that his teammates and coaches do see that helps that footy side play so well. “It’s a huge out for them.”
Welch was emotional after suffering the injury and admitted he “cried a bit in the changerooms”.
“I heard a big pop and it’s not good when you hear pops,” Welch said. “It was pretty hard. But I will be right. It’s only an injury and I will get there. I know I have it a lot better than a lot of other people in society