Dally M Medal 2019 live updates, blog: NRL votes, team of the year, awards

The NRL night of night’s has arrived, with the 2019 NRL Dally M Medal ceremony arriving ahead of this weekend’s grand final. James Tedesco enters as the red-hot favourite, but can he be stopped? And who will take out the rest of the awards? Join The Roar for live updates and coverage of the event from 8:30pm (AEST).

When counting for the Dally M Medal went behind closed doors at the end of Round 12, it was Mitchell Pearce who led the count on 15 votes.

He was one ahead of Cameron Munster and Damien Cook, with Jason Taumalolo, Cameron Smith and James Tedesco all on 12 votes, followed by Mitchell Moses on 11.

Tedesco, who has been the game’s best player this season, as he was last season, across both club and representative footy, comes in as the favourite, however, he will have had points stolen.

The Roosters may have won nine of their twelve games after counting went behind closed doors, however, Latrell Mitchell, Cooper Cronk, Luke Keary, and even Victor Radley and Sam Verrills will have stolen points from him.

Mitchell Pearce and Damien Cook are virtually no chance of claiming the Dally M on account of their form over the second half of the season, while Cameron Munster and Cameron Smith are in the same position as Tedesco, who even so, will have a lot of man of the match performances to pick up big points.

The player most likely to challenge Tedesco is Mitchell Moses of the Eels, who was the star performer of his team, who won eight of their last twelve in a phenomenal second half of the season to finish fifth on the ladder.

In the race for the other awards, Payne Haas looks to have rookie of the year sewn up without any real questions being thrown his way, while Ricky Stuart, Brad Arthur and Des Hasler look to be the three coaches in the running for coach of the year on account of their respective teams major improvements and finish ahead of expectations.

Tedesco is the man most likely to win representative player of the year ahead of some of his New South Wales teammates, while captain of the year could well end up in the possession of Jarrod Croker for the second time, although the usual suspects, Cameron Smith and Boyd Cordner will also have a shout on that award.

Women’s player of the year may be the most open award of the evening, with representative stars from both states in the running with Jessica Sergis, Botille Vette-Walsh, Millie Boyle and Charntay Poko in the running.

Poko of the Warriors has been the standout performer in the NRLW competition thanks to her kicking game, however, the Warriors haven’t made the final, so the gong may go to one of the other three, with Sergis seemingly the lead contender.

Prediction
Tedesco is the favourite, and when you look at the body of work from the world’s best player, it’s a hard case to argue. However, Moses is his team’s leader, had a phenomenal second half of the season, and for mine, should claim the game’s most prized individual gong.

Moses to beat Tedesco and Cameron Smith.

Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage of the Dally M Medal for 2019 from 8:30pm (AEST) and don’t forget to get involved by dropping a comment in the section below.

Game information

Start time: 8:30pm (AEST)
Venue: Overseas Passenger Terminal, Sydney
TV: Live, Fox League 502
Online: Live, Kayo Sports, Foxtel app, Foxtel now, Watch NRL (overseas)
2018 winner: Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (New Zealand Warriors)

Leaderboard at Round 12
1. Mitchell Pearce, Newcastle Knights – 15
2. Cameron Munster, Melbourne Storm – 14
2. Damien Cook, South Sydney Rabbitohs – 14
4. Jason Taumalolo, North Queensland Cowboys – 12
4. Cameron Smith, Melbourne Storm – 12
4. James Tedesco, Sydney Roosters – 12
7. Mitchell Moses, Parramatta Eels – 11
8. Cody Walker, South Sydney Rabbitohs – 10
8. Clint Gutherson, Parramatta Eels – 10
8. Chad Townsend, Cronulla Sharks – 10

Full list of awards to be presented
Dally M Medal
Provan-Summons Medal (People’s choice for best player)
Rookie of the year
Captain of the year
Coach of the year
Female player of the year
Representative player of the year
Headline moment of the year
Top try-scorer
Top point-scorer
Team of the year

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Scott Pryde

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Scott has penned over 3000 articles and is one of The Roar's longest-serving writers, covering a wide range of sports. When he isn't writing about sport, you'll find him umpiring at the cricket, or on the hill at Kogarah supporting the Dragons.