2014 Dally M medal: Johnathan Thurston and Jarryd Hayne share Dally M award

PARRAMATTA’S Jarryd Hayne and the Cowboys’ Johnathan Thurston have created rugby league history by being crowned dual Dally M Medal winners.

IT was a thrilling finish that couldn’t split two rugby league superstars.

Parramatta champion Jarryd Hayne and North Queensland superstar Johnathan Thurston created rugby league history last night by being crowned dual Dally M Medal winners.

It is the first time in the award’s 34-year history that joint winners were named.

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Hayne and Thurston were crowned at a glittering gala event inside The Star last night where a who’s who of rugby league attended.

It was Thurston’s third Dally M Medal after previously claiming the NRL’s top individual award in 2005 and 2007. The only other player to win three Dally M Medals is Newcastle Immortal Andrew Johns.

Jarryd Hayne and Johnathan Thurston joint winners of the the 2014 Dally M medal.

Thurston and Hayne polled 32 points, three clear of South Sydney’s Sam Burgess, who was one ahead of St George Illawarra’s Gareth Widdop and Brisbane half-back Ben Hunt.

Hayne polled two points in the final game of the season, a match where his Eels were pumped 33-20 by Canberra.

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Thurston grabbed one point for his effort in North Queensland’s 30-16 round-26 win over Manly in Townsville.

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It was a tight and exciting finish which captivated guests and the Fox Sports’ television audience.

The night was upbeat and happy after a roller-coaster year for rugby league, which was again dominated by the ASADA drama.

Russell Crowe announcing the Dally M winners.

“It’s great to be standing here,” Thurston said. “Jarryd had a great year. Congrats to the big fella, he was great through State of Origin.”

Asked about joining Johns as a three-time winner, Thurston said: “Joey is an Immortal and if I have half the career he had I’d be ­ecstatic. To have my name mentioned alongside him is mind-numbing and humbling. Look, I’m shaking.’’

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League legend Arthur Summons praised Thurston, saying: “He’ll go on to become an Immortal. I wish I was half as good.’’

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Thurston polled six points over the final three rounds to finish on 32 points.

He is some player.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 29: Jarryd Hayne (L) and Johnathan Thurston (R) pose with the team of the year after being presented as joint winners of the Dally M Medal at the Dally M Awards at Star City on September 29, 2014 in Sydney, Australia.

To think he has won Dally M Medals 10 years apart shows his incredible longevity.

And it shouldn’t be forgotten how much Thurston is targeted and belted each week.

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Hayne was always going to be hard to run down after an amazing four-game period between rounds 20 and 23 where he polled 11 points. That came through three successive man-of-the-match performances.

“Jarryd was sensational this year,” said NSW coach Laurie Daley, who attended last night’s awards with his son, Will.

“He deserves whatever accolades come his way. He was fantastic for NSW this year. His Origin I performance was a classic.

Johnathan Thurston and Arthur Summons after Thurston won the Provan-Summons award.

Jonathan Thurston and his partner Samantha Lynch.

“Thurston has also had a wonderful year. He is a special player.

“You couldn’t argue with these two claiming the top prize.”

The two Brits, Burgess and Widdop, finished next. Widdop was brilliant for the Dragons this season.

He seemed to thrive after escaping the dominance of Melbourne’s big three — Cam Smith, Billy Slater and Cooper Cronk.

Burgess has enjoyed a powerhouse season and is now just 80 minutes from a fairytale farewell to rugby league.

Johnathan Thurston and Jarryd Hayne on the red carpet. Little did they know they would be joining each other up on stage. Picture Gregg Porteous

He will be the cornerstone of a massive Rabbitohs pack ready to try and trample Canterbury in Sunday night’s decider at ANZ Stadium.

Penrith star Matt Moylan finished on 19 Dally M points and has a huge future in the game after his year to remember.

Jarryd Hayne and Johnathan Thurston, two of the greatest players of the modern era.

It also came on the day Moylan was chosen to represent the PM’s XIII against PNG in Kokopo on Sunday week.

Manly halves Daly Cherry-Evans and Kieran Foran polled strongly. Cherry-Evans finished on 23 points, Foran on 19.

TOP 20

Johnathan Thurston (Cowboys) – 32

Jarryd Hayne (Eels) – 32

Sam Burgess (Rabbitohs) – 29

Gareth Widdop (Dragons) – 28

Ben Hunt (Broncos) 28

Daly Cherry_Evans (Sea Eagles) – 23

Matt Moylan (Panthers) – 19

Cameron Smith (Storm) – 19

Kieran Foran (Sea Eagles) – 19

Chris Sandow (Eels) – 19

Mitchell Pearce (Roosters) – 18

Matt Scott (Cowboys) – 18

Cooper Cronk (Storm) – 18

Billy Slater (Storm) – 18

Jamie Soward (Panthers) – 17

Jesse Bromwich (Storm) – 15

James Graham (Bulldogs) – 15

Anthony Milford (Raiders) – 15

Matt Gillett (Broncos) – 15

Greg Inglis (Rabbitohs) – 14

TEAM OF THE YEAR

Fullback: Jarryd Hayne

Winger: Semi Radradra

Centre: Jamie Lyon

Five-eighth – Johnathan Thurston

Halfback – Daly Cherry-Evans

Lock – Sam Burgess

Second-Rower – Beau Scott

Prop – James Graham

Hooker – James Segeyaro

Captain – Jamie Lyon

Coach – Ivan Cleary

Rookie – Luke Brooks

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Rep Player - Jarryd Hayne

Provan-Summons – Johnathan Thurston

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