NRL 2021: Dally M controversy as Darren Lockyer and Luke Lewis are caught up in judging drama

Luke Lewis and Darren Lockyer were both asked to vote on the Dally M – but it was on games involving the clubs that pay them. Should that be allowed? Vote here

Darren Lockyer.

Cronulla premiership legend Luke Lewis has defended the decision to have NRL club employees like himself and Darren Lockyer involved in Dally M medal judging.

Only one round into the 2021 season and League Central already has itself a Dally M drama after Lockyer and Lewis — who are paid by Brisbane and the Sharks respectively — were asked to act as judges for matches involving their clubs.

While there is no suggestion the retired Kangaroos, who double as two of the modern game’s most respected players, voted with any bias, the judging process is now set to be reviewed by the NRL given Lockyer is a Broncos board member while Lewis mixes his ABC commentary role with work as a Sharks specialist coach.

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Darren Lockyer has been a Dally M judge for a number of years.

Luke Lewis says he wouldn’t just pick someone because they are a Shark.

On Monday morning, NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo revealed he would be looking into the issue, conceding there could be a perceived conflict of interest.

However speaking with The Daily Telegraph on Monday afternoon, Lewis revealed the NRL already knew of his role as a Sharks assistant after asking him to judge Sunday night’s local derby between Cronulla and St George Illawarra – convinced he could do so impartially, and professionally.

The 37-year-old revealed he was phoned on game day by NRL employee Frank Puletua, who asked if he would act as a Dally M judge while covering the game for ABC radio.

“And during that conversation I reminded Frank I’m employed by the Sharks,” Lewis explained.

“But Frank said I wouldn’t have been asked unless he knew I could do the job professionally.

“And anyone who knows me, they know I’m not picking someone because they’re a mate.

“I’d also like to think my credibility goes far enough that people know I wouldn’t just pick someone because they’re a Cronulla player.

“But if people want to question my integrity that’s up to them.

“I know I’m professional.

“And if I get asked again, I’ll put my hand up no matter which teams are involved.

“Because I’ll be 100 per cent professional and pick the best players.”

Lewis was also quick to defend Queensland Origin legend Lockyer, saying: “How does anyone question a guy like Darren Lockyer?

“That has to be a gee-up.”

After Brisbane was run down by Parramatta in Friday Night Football at Suncorp Stadium, Lockyer awarded three points to Eels prop Junior Paulo, two for hooker Reed Mahoney and one for Broncos five-eighth Anthony Milford.

Then on Sunday evening, in a match where Cronulla beat the Dragons 32-18, Lewis gave three points to Sharks fullback Will Kennedy, two to five-eighth Matt Moylan and one point to Dragons centre Jack Bird.

“And you have to put some trust in the judges,” Lewis continued.

“Because if you look at every retired player who is assisting as a Dally M Judge, they’re all going to have relationships with guys who are still playing.

“Especially when you consider how players move through different clubs, the relationships you build in Origin and Test footy.

“But if a player deserves the points, he will get them.

“I know if I was still playing the game, I could think of nothing worse than being given three points because someone is a mate.”

LOCKYER DEFENDS VOTING CALL

Lockyer has been a long-term Dally M judge and was asked to issue the 3-2-1 votes for the game at Suncorp Stadium last Friday night.

Parramatta overcame a 16-0 halftime deficit to win the game 24-16.

Lockyer awarded three votes to Parramatta prop Junior Paulo, two votes to Eels hooker Reed Mahoney and one vote to Broncos five-eighth Anthony Milford.

There is no suggestion Lockyer voted with any bias.

However, the NRL’s decision to pick him as a judge for a game involving a club he is employed by has raised questions.

Erin Molan, Darren Lockyer and Brad Fittler before the Broncos match.

The Dally M Medal was engulfed by controversy last year after Canberra star Jack Wighton pipped Penrith’s Nathan Cleary (third) for the top gong, with Eels fullback Clint Gutherson second.

Many believed Cleary was the standout player for 2020 and deserved the award.

The NRL has since launched a review into the entire voting process, including how the votes are awarded and who should judge on games.

A panel has been assembled to assess whether the system can be improved.

NRL chief executive officer Andrew Abdo said Lockyer’s integrity could not be doubted, but admitted there could be a perceived conflict with him voting on Broncos games.

“I don’t for a second doubt Darren’s integrity and he’s been doing this for a number of years for us,” he said.

“As evidenced by his votes on the weekend, he had two Eels players in there. His integrity has never been questioned.

“We are in a process of doing a review around the awards more broadly and it hasn’t been completed. There is some work being done on who can be represented on the panel.

“We need to look into it because perception is sometimes also really important.

“Whilst I don’t have any concerns about Darren’s objectivity or integrity, perhaps we need to make sure we are protecting everyone and there can never be doubt around perception.

“We will look at the eligibility requirements to protect everyone.”

Lockyer told The Courier-Mail he had been a Dally M judge for a number of years and at times had been asked to do Broncos games.

“When asked to vote on games I watch the game and give my votes based entirely on what I see,” he said.

“Who’s playing has no influence on my votes whatsoever.”

The Dally M Awards have endured a number of controversies over recent years.

In 2018, former Jillaroos player Ruan Sims stood down as a judge after not attending a game she was picked to vote on, instead watching a replay.

In 2019, a betting plunge on Melbourne’s Craig Bellamy to win coach of the year was exposed, leading to court action.

Originally published as NRL 2021: Dally M controversy as Darren Lockyer and Luke Lewis are caught up in judging drama