Dally M rookie of the Year: Storm cameo costs Sharks surprise packet Daniel Atkinson

A little known rule has dashed Daniel Atkinson’s dreams of winning the Dally M Rookie of The Year award, writes David Riccio. See the contenders and have your say on who should win.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MAY 05: Daniel Atkinson of the Sharks runs with the ball during the round nine NRL match between Cronulla Sharks and St George Illawarra Dragons at PointsBet Stadium, on May 05, 2024, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

A seven-minute cameo for the Storm three-years ago will cost Daniel Atkinson any hope of being named Dally M Rookie of the Year.

The Sharks Mr Fix-It has proven a revelation this season, helping propel Cronulla’s top-four claims which continues against St George-Illawarra at WIN Stadium on Sunday.

Holding the fort for the injury-ravaged Sharks, particularly in the absence of playmaker Nicho Hynes, Atkinson’s ice cool temperament to sink sideline conversions and golden-point field goals has earned him justified praise across the rugby league landscape.

The qualified carpenter has come from obscurity in 2024, amassing 14 NRL games for the Sharks, prompting suggestions the 23-year-old’s breakout season is worthy of Dally M honours.

However, Atkinson’s one and only appearance for the Storm in the lock position with seven-minutes remaining, ironically against the Sharks, in round 25, 2021 deems him ineligible for rookie of the year contention.

Under NRL rules, any player who has a gap of two years or more between their first and second NRL game, will no longer be considered a rookie.

Atkinson’s second NRL game - three years after his first match - was in round four this season.

The omission of Atkinson will elevate the prospects of Manly’s Lehi Hopoate, Parramatta’s Blaize Talagi, Melbourne’s Sua Fa’alogo, Canberra’s Ethan Strange, The Dolphins Jack Bostock and Sharks centre Kayal Iro.

Wests Tigers rising star Lachlan Galvin and Dolphins hooker Max Plath are ineligible after being suspended this season.

Even without the privileged gong, Atkinson is enjoying a season to behold.

What hasn’t been told is how the 23-year-old originally found his way to Cronulla on a deal worth $80,000 and how after just one training session, head coach Craig Fitzgibbon knew he had a player.

“We were playing a game at training and he kicked the ball down field and he sprints past everyone, he arrives at the bouncing ball at the southern end of PointsBet Stadium completely uncontested, there’s no one else around him and he just launches himself at the ball to score and blows his AC joint in his shoulder, because all he wanted to do was score the try,” Fitzgibbon said.

“He’s been that competitor ever since.”

Daniel Atkinson in action for the Sharks. Picture: Getty Images

The reason for Atkinson’s original recruitment to the Sharks came in the wake of rugby sevens recruit Lachlan Miller moving from Cronulla to Newcastle in January, 2023.

Having spent time at the Storm and in the QLD Cup at just 21, Atkinson’s ability to play a number of positions pricked the ears of the Sharks.

As unlikely as it sounds, the Sharks recruitment team also found a speckle of shine in a 66-6 loss that Atkinson endured while playing centre for Italy against Australian in the 2022 World Cup.

“Moons and I watched the video of him playing for Italy and while the scoreline wasn’t flattering, we thought he did a solid job marking up on Valentine Holmes,” Fitzgibbon said.

“We had been following his journey from the Storm to the QLD Cup and liked what he was about.”

While Atkinson has steered the Sharks at halfback, he’s also played NRL and NSW Cup at hooker, lock, five-eighth, wing and fullback - the latter of which, good judges suggest suits his game most.

With Hynes improving every day ahead of his comeback from a serious foot injury, Atkinson’s role in leading the Sharks will be boosted by the return of fellow half Braydon Trindall against the Dragons.