Does anyone actually know who’s currently leading the Dally Ms?
No, neither do I, and who really cares anyway? It will probably once again be awarded to either an unworthy recipient, like Jack Wighton (2020), or to a player who eventually brings the game into disrepute, like Andrew Johns (1998, 1999 and 2002), (Jarryd Hayne (2009), Todd Carney (2010) and Ben Barba (2012).
More importantly, it’s time to get your votes in for the annual Dufty Award, originally instigated by a hard-core cell of disillusioned Dragons supporters, numbering in the tens of thousands by the way, but now open to all followers of the best and worst that rugby league can toss up.
Unlike the Dally Ms though, which laughingly claims to reward rugby league excellence, the Duftys is an award system that deals with the harsh reality facing supporters of all teams other than Penrith.
We bottom-dwelling supporters sit there in the gloom week after week wondering how footballers earning as much as caretaker Prime Minister Tony Albanese can consistently fail to perform even the most basic rugby league task, like catching the ball, making a tackle and playing the ball.
By now, the brightest among you you may have connected the soon to be prestigious award’s name to the former St George dud player in Matt Dufty, who although blessed with immeasurable natural talent, lacked both fortitude and application to use it on the football field for more than one week in a row.
Matt Dufty, at the Dragons. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)
Needless to say, he was the inaugural winner of the award, and after watching his efforts for Canterbury this season, the organising committee have decided to enshrine his ongoing incompetence by permanently naming the award after him.
So what, I hear you ask, does it take to be nominated for the Dufty Award in 2022?
It’s simple really, just have a look through the team you unfortunately support and look for a player, or players in the case of the Titans and the Tigers, who consistently let the team down and aren’t worth what they’re being paid.
The player you are continually disappointed with, and the one you would like to see either signed by the Dolphins or off to the ESL before the end of the week.
I know no one likes to go first with these things, so here are some suggestions to get you started:
Warriors – Shaun Johnson
Dragons – Aaron Woods
Tigers – Luke Brooks
Knights – Tex Hoy
Rabbitohs – Taane Milne
Titans – David Fifita
Canterbury – Jayden Okunbor
Please get your votes in early so that I can have the trophy ready before the wooden spoon is decided. All I need to do now is find a suitable venue for the awards night, and to convince Matt Dufty to present the awards.
Tony
Roar Guru
I don't actually mind Parker. Always gives 100%
Tom G
Roar Rookie
Brad Parker returning from injury is playing for Blacktown this week. I hope his return doesn’t trigger Dessie to drop Koula in order to get a Harper/Parker reunion. If Parker comes in it should be at Harper’s expense
Tony
Roar Guru
The jury's out on Harper
Tom G
Roar Rookie
Earlier in the season I would’ve gone for Morgan Harper but he’s seemingly on the road to redemption.. worth keeping an eye on him
Dan
Roar Rookie
Very well done, geez how did we all forget “Looks like Tarzan plays like Jane” Tamou. Proctor as well, how he’s ever justified a pay cheque is beyond me.
Tony
Roar Guru
But well done!
Greg
Roar Pro
It actually wasn't easy coming up with most disappointing in each position.
Tony
Roar Guru
Gee, that's one very ordinary team Greg
Greg
Roar Pro
1. Dufty: Performances at the Dogs have been worthy of having the award named after him. 2. Saab: What a fall from grace to be in the top try scoring hunt last year to useless this year. Someone please teach him how to take a hit up as there is a quality winger in there somewhere. 3. James Roberts. Once an Origin centre, now the worst player in a very bad Tigers backline. 4. Morgan Harper. Played one game so bad he made Talakai an Origin player. Hasn't impressed in any of his other games. 5. Josh Mansour. The former Kangaroo and fan favorite is now the 5th? choice Rabbotohs winger. 6. Jayden Nikorima. May not be fair to include him given he is a career reserve grader, but you have to be ordinary to make the Melbourne Storm look like a bad team. 7. Jamaal Fogarty. The highly touted recruit has looked worse in the Raiders halves than reserve grader Frawley and rookie Schnieder. 8. James Tamou. Was recruited to lead the young Tigers pack. Unfortunately, they have all followed his lead in providing absolutely no go-forward or momentum for their team. 9. Jake Turpin. Despite the rise of the young Broncos forwards still provides no spark and woeful service from dummy half. 10. Ben Murdoch-Masila When playing for Tonga was once tough enough to impress against Australia and New Zealand. Now not impressing enough to deserve a spot on the Warriors bench. 11. Kelma Tuilagi. After signing with Manly has been so disinterested at the Tigers that their fans look forward to him leaving. 12. Kevin Proctor. Further evidence that despite increased sports science most players should still consider retirement after 30. 13. Nathan Brown. From Origin forward to reserve grade in about 18 months.
Paul
Guest
Yep, Col Brown. So poor guy gets a Dufty too.
Bernie
Guest
except it was St George Illawarra Dragons, technically a new team and it was their first year, so of course would have been their first premiership. shotgun wedding for Steelers & Saints, a set-up that still haunts a bit today.
Bernie
Guest
i was at the Taj for grand final day in 1985; another dark day. saints had all three grades in the GF's, they won thirds and reserve but couldn't get over the line in the big one. felt for the lower grades after, as the mood at the club that evening was bleak.
Tony
Roar Guru
The Bulldogs player (Col Brown?) who threw the pass was the only person at the SCG who didn't see McCarthy waiting for the intercept.
Paul
Guest
South’s had their own. The first year of Cronulla & Penrith 1967. Bob McCarthy took an intercept against the Bulldogs in the GF , with a few minutes remaining in the game. Then a pressure goal by Eric Simms , sealed the game.
Tony
Roar Guru
Whatever it was, I'm sure Walker hasn't forgotten it :happy:
Paul
Guest
Yep. I would just love to know what Cleary said to Walker , after Walker threw that intercept. As Cleary threw one in the GF the year before.
Short Memory
Roar Rookie
Is it too late to switch to Jason Taumalolo? Brooks isn't in the top 10 highest paid players but JT13 comes in at number 8. Above Cleary (No, stop laughing. Stop it. It"s rude!) Possibly outdone by Fifita who has deservedly earned plenty of mentions here - but I don't think anyone has mentioned Taumalolo yet...?
Short Memory
Roar Rookie
Probably deserves a lifetime award.
Short Memory
Roar Rookie
Dang. Got me there.
Dan
Roar Rookie
Yeah I was at the Taj Mahal (leagues club) that day. Was quite messy. In the preceding 22 years I have punched at least 3 storm fans that I can remember for ribbing me over that. I celebrated like a man possessed when the great Sven Ottke knock Mundine out. Never thought I’d be celebrating the achievements of a German but hey.