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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)