Tom Trbojevic named 2021 Dally M player of the year

Manly superstar Tom Trbojevic has described winning the Dally M Medal as “massive” after he stormed to victory in the award despite playing just 15 regular season games.

Tom Trbojevic becomes just the third Manly player to win the Dally M Medal. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty

In the end, he cruised to victory. Turbo became Tom Cruise.

Sea Eagles superstar Tom Trbojevic, 24, has won the 2021 Dally M Medal, becoming the first Manly player to claim rugby league’s highest individual honour since Matt Orford in 2008.

Trbojevic’s triumph capped one of the most remarkable individual seasons of any player in rugby league’s 113-year history. While most expected a close finish, Trbojevic eventually skipped well clear after polling in 11 of his 15 games this season.

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The Sea Eagles champion finished on 35 points ahead of Nathan Cleary (30), Cody Walker (29), Daly Cherry-Evans (23) and James Tedesco (23).

Trbojevic’s final tally fell just short of the record 36 points polled by Johnathan Thurston’s in 2007. Cleary struggled with a shoulder injury over the back half of the season while Walker was deducted three points through suspension.

Tom Trbojevic is just the third Manly player to win the Dally M Medal. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty

Trbojevic became just the third Manly player in history to win the Dally M along with Orford and Cliff Lyons (1990 and 1994). His historic win was announced on Monday night at a glittering yet scaled-down ceremony at Howard Smith Wharves in Brisbane.

“I watch the Dally M’s every year so it’s awesome to win it, it’s massive,” Trbojevic said. “I was just looking through the list of past winners and this hasn’t sunk in.

“I really enjoyed my footy this year. I didn’t play all the games but I enjoyed being out there in the matches I did play. I loved what we were able to do at Manly this year but unfortunately we lost last week, which happens I guess.”

Tom Trbojevic with his partner Kristi Wilkinson on the red carpet. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

Unbelievably, Trbojevic won the award despite playing just 15 regular season games this season plus three matches for NSW.

“Tom is a wonderful human being who carries himself with distinction,” Manly coach Des Hasler said.

Trbojevic ran for an average of 188 metres a game and completed an amazing 115 tackle busts and 29 line breaks. And he also had 30 try assists.

“It’s one of the best individual seasons I can remember in a long time,” fellow Manly champion Steve Menzies said. “It’s one of the great seasons. The way he has dominated, Tom has revolutionised the fullback position and taken it into the next generation.

“And he did that so well that other fullbacks are saying they need to do it as well. Every week, he does things that just blow you away.

In pictures: Red carpet glamour at the Dally Ms

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“When Manly win, he is getting three Dally M points, if not two. His stats and try assists are just ridiculous. The award is well deserved.”

Cleary played the same amount of games as Trbojevic for Penrith and the Blues but four less than Walker (22). Cherry-Evans played 25 games with Tedesco competing in 23 matches.

Trbojevic didn’t return from a hamstring injury until round six. Manly won 12 of Trbojevic’s 15 games this season, the fullback sensation scoring a club-record 28 tries during the regular season and finals.

“From his first game in Mudgee to his last in Brisbane and everywhere in between, Tom has had a truly superb season in 2021,” said Manly chief executive, Stephen Humphreys. “He responded to the pre-season setback in the best possible way.

“He worked tirelessly to get himself in peak physical shape and then played with total confidence and commitment. Tom deserves all of the praise and awards coming his way. A very memorable year from one of the finest young men you could ever meet.”

Tom Trbojevic celebrated his Dally M Medal win with his brothers, Jake (left) and Ben. Picture: Zak Simmonds

The result means three fullbacks (Trbojevic, Tedesco and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck) have won the award over the past four seasons. And the 2020 winner, Canberra’s Jack Wighton, started his NRL career at fullback.

Asked for a tip in the grand final, Trbojevic said: “It’s a tough one but I’m going to go with Penrith.”

Trbojevic also dominated the Manly awards at a Sunday presentation night on the Sunshine Coast. He collected the Sea Eagles’ best and fairest award, players’ player, leading try scorer and best player voted by fans.