Dally M 2016 team of the year: Cooper Cronk edges Johnathan Thurston
DALLY M TEAM OF THE YEAR: It’s rare when Johnathan Thurston does not survive the final cut — but the four-time Dally M Medallist was a shock omission from team of the year.
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IT is extremely rare when Johnathan Thurston does not survive the final cut.
Cooper Cronk capped a wonderful night when he was named at halfback in the Dally M Team of the Year, getting the nod ahead of Thurston.
The pair will combine in the halves for the Kangaroos in the Four Nations, but having Cronk ahead of the master JT will generate plenty of debate.
So, too, will Cameron Smith edging out Josh Hodgson at hooker.
And another Raiders star, Jordan Rapana, losing out to Penrith powerhouse Josh Mansour for the wing spot.
Rapana finished with more tries, try assists, tackle busts and linebreaks than Mansour, but the Penrith bearded pin-up averaged 170m compared to Rapana’s 136m.
Cronk’s halves partner in the team of the year, James Maloney, will stand across the field from him in Sunday’s grand final when Melbourne and Cronulla clash.
Maloney has been one of the Sharks’ best this season and his performance last Friday to help steer them past North Queensland and into the grand final was truly memorable.
You have to wonder if Parramatta’s Corey Norman had not been suspended the final eight rounds because of his off-field troubles, whether he could have beaten Maloney to the five-eighth spot.
Norman tallied 17 Dally M points, more than double the next Eels player and good mate Junior Paulo, who finished the season with Canberra.
However, there was no denying the talents of the players who made the Dally M team of the year.
Jason Taumalolo was the only survivor from last year’s team.
Fullback James Tedesco lived up to the huge hype and enjoyed a fantastic season for the Wests Tigers.
Tedesco made his NSW Origin debut and could have guided the Tigers to at least week one of the finals had he not broken his jaw in the final weeks.
Mansour is dynamite to watch when returning the ball, and will give Semi Radradra a real run for his money when it comes to Kangaroos selection.
Few will question Canberra’s Joey Leilua being named at centre after he whipped himself into shape and troubled plenty of teams with his offloads. His selection was one of the few not up for debate.
His around-the-back pass to find Rapana for a try in the final round against the Tigers was a real highlight.
Taumalolo was named lock, while Matt Gillett was in the thick of everything for Brisbane and beat a hot field to be named at second row.
Cronulla’s Wade Graham and Canterbury’s Josh Jackson — and to a lesser extent the Sydney Roosters Boyd Cordner, who was brilliant when not injured — also would have challenged Gillett.
Melbourne powerhouse Jesse Bromwich was the prop, while Melbourne teammate Smith was hooker.
Mick Ennis, Smith’s opponent on Sunday, was named last year’s hooker.
DALLY M 2016 TEAM OF THE YEAR
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