NRL Dally M Awards: Team of the year shocks, Todd Payten’s cheeky referee dig
Nicho Hynes went home with the Dally M medal around his neck - but the award show’s biggest laugh was saved for a subtle dig at the referees. Here’s everything that happened on the big night.
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There were some major shocks in the Dally M team of the year headed by grand finalists Parramatta not having a sole player named in the 13 man team.
Sunday’s premiership favourites the Penrith Panthers had three named including lock Isaah Yeo, second rower Viliame Kikau and hooker Api Koroisau.
But there was no room for ultra-consistent fullback Dylan Edwards who was upstaged by Sydney Roosters superstar James Tedesco, while tough prop James Fisher-Harris was not even among the eight nominees for front row.
There were some incredibly tough calls in most positions with Cronulla’s Nicho Hynes taking out the halfback spot and Melbourne’s Cameron Munster named five-eighth of the year.
SCROLL DOWN FOR THE FULL TEAM OF HE YEAR
COACH SWIPE AT REFS
Coach of the year Todd Payten has taken a subtle swipe at the NRL’s officials after his side’s controversial exit from this year’s finals series – saying “referees’ calls” are one of the few things that will deny them going one step better next season.
The Cowboys were on the receiving end of a refereeing howler when officials missed a blatant forward pass from Mitchell Moses in the lead-up to Parramatta’s opening try in their shock preliminary final win on Friday.
The try proved crucial as the Cowboys went on to lose by four points, as the Eels set up a grand final showdown with western Sydney rivals Penrith this Sunday.
SCROLL DOWN FOR THE 2022 DALLY NRL, NRLW TEAMS OF THE YEAR
Payten was gracious in defeat on Friday, but didn’t miss the opportunity to have a cheeky dig as he accepted his Dally M Coach of the Year award.
“There’s only a few things that are gonna hold us back (next year),” Payten said to his troops in a lengthy acceptance speech.
“Either our attitude, injury, bounce of the ball, or referees calls”.
The camera panned to a grinning Jason Taumalolo as awkward laughter broke out across the room at the shot at the match officials.
FULL STORY: NICHO HYNES WINS THE 2022 DALLY M MEDAL
Meanwhile, Sharks star Nicho Hynes capped a remarkable first-up season at Cronulla by claiming the prestigious Dally M Medal with the highest individual score in the award’s 43-year history.
Despite suggestions the final tally would be tight, Hynes polled a whopping 38 points to finish well ahead of Sydney Roosters fullback James Tedesco (33 points) and St George Illawarra’s Ben Hunt (32).
Hynes became the first Cronulla player to secure the game’s greatest individual award since Preston Campbell back in 2001.
2022 DALLY M NRL TEAM OF THE YEAR
There has been some major shocks in the Dally M team of the year headed by grand finalists Parramatta not having a sole player named in the 13 man team.
Meanwhile, Sunday’s premiership favourites the Penrith Panthers had three named including lock Isaah Yeo, second rower Viliame Kikau and hooker Api Koroisau.
But there was no room for ultra-consistent fullback Dylan Edwards who was upstaged by Sydney Roosters superstar James Tedesco, while tough prop James Fisher-Harris was not even among the eight nominees for front row.
There were some incredibly tough calls in most positions with Cronulla’s Nicho Hynes taking out the halfback spot and Melbourne’s Cameron Munster named five-eighth of the year.
DALLY M RED CARPET: Rooster’s sprints into Olympian’s DMs
FULLBACK
Winner: James Tedesco
Nominees: Dylan Edwards, Ryan Papenhuyzen, James Tedesco, Scott Drinkwater
Verdict: In a crack field of fullbacks the best player is the deserving winner here. Week in, week out, Tedesco sets the standard at the Roosters _ and he had an amazing finish to the season. Edwards also had an outstanding year but you would have to be a tough judge to dispute this decision.
WINGER
Winner: Joseph Suaali’I, Alex Johnston
Nominees: Taylan May, Alex Johnston, Selwyn Cobbo, Murray Taulagi, Joseph Suaali’I, Xavier Coates, Ronaldo Mulitalo, Josh Addo-Carr
Verdict: The Roosters gun teenager is going to be one of those players we talk about for decades to come. Not only capable of scoring spectacular tries but just as impressive is the toughness and courage Suaali’I plays with. While Rabbitohs flyer Johnston finished with a record 30 tries in back-to-back seasons which made him impossible to leave out.
CENTRE
Winner: Joseph Manu, Valentine Holmes
Nominees: Justin Olam, Izack Tago, Herbie Farnworth, Joseph Manu, Stephen Crichton, Valentine Holmes, Siosifa Talakai, Kotoni Staggs
Verdict: Hard to argue with either of the selections here. Manu is the standout centre in the comp, while the game’s top pointscorer Holmes returned to his best in season 2022 playing a huge part in the Cowboys’ rocket ride up the ladder.
FIVE-EIGHTH
Winner: Cameron Munster
Nominees: Tom Dearden, Matt Burton, Cameron Munster, Dylan Brown
Verdict: Tremendous list of nominees but there was always going to be only one winner. With all the scrutiny on Munster this year surrounding his uncertain future, the champion five-eighth never allowed it to get in the way of the quality of the work he did on the field for the Storm.
HALFBACK
Winner: Nicho Hynes
Nominees:Ben Hunt, Jahrome Hughes, Adam Reynolds, Nicho Hynes
Verdict: You know it’s a ripper field of halfbacks when Nathan Cleary doesn’t rate in the top four nominees. Yet Nicho Hynes’s victory is so well deserved after a truly outstanding debut season as a full-time halfback following the former Storm utility’s move to the Sharks.
PROP
Winner: Joseph Tapine, Payne Haas
Nominees: Junior Paulo, Reuben Cotter, Reagan Campbell-Gillard, Nelson Asofa-Solomona, Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, Joseph Tapine, Payne Haas, Tino Fa’asuamaleaui
Verdict: All eight of the nominees could have easily won a spot here although Canberra’s Tapine was widely considered the standout prop. Haas’ selection came as a bit of a shock but there is no denying his massive input for the Broncos.
HOOKER
Winner: Api Koroisau
Nominees: Harry Grant, Reece Robson, Api Koroisau, Damien Cook
Verdict: Once again this could have gone several ways with most tipping Melbourne’s dummy half Grant as the favourite. But Koroisau has been superb for the Panthers and finished the season so strong.
SECOND-ROW
Winner: Viliame Kikau, Jeremiah Nanai
Nominees: Hudson Young, Angus Crichton, Shaun Lane, Viliame Kikau, Keaon Koloamatangi, Jeremiah Nanai, Isaiah Papali’I, Haumole Olakau’atu
Verdict: Yet another tough field but no one will dispute the big Panther Kikau getting a gig, while 19-year-old Nanai had an incredible year for the Cowboys, finishing with 17 tries, the most of any forward.
LOCK
Winner: Isaah Yeo
Nominees: Jason Taumalolo, Cameron Murray, Isaah Yeo, Jake Trbojevic
Verdict: Four of the toughest, most fearless and hardest working players in the comp. You could have gone any way you wanted here but ultimately Yeo was the favourite for a reason. His selection was not only expected but thoroughly deserved.
NRLW TEAM OF THE YEAR
NRLW DALLY M WINNER – Raecene McGregor
Fullback: Sam Bremner (Roosters)
Winger: Teagan Berry (Dragons), Jaime Chapman (Broncos)
Centre: Isabelle Kelly (Roosters), Jessica Sergis (Roosters)
Five-eighth: Tarryn Aiken (Broncos)
Halfback: Raecene McGregor (Roosters)
Prop: Caitlan Johnston (Knights), Millie Boyle (Knights)
Hooker: Keeley Davis (Dragons)
Second-rower: Keilee Joseph (Dragons), Olivia Kernick (Roosters)
Lock: Simaima Taufa (Eels)
MUNSTER’S BOOZE BAN SLIP-UP
Storm star Cameron Munster is back on the drink after celebrating the end of his booze ban with Melbourne’s player of the year award.
Munster was banned from drinking alcohol for a year following Melbourne’s infamous white powder scandal at the end of last season.
The 12-month ban expired recently and Munster confirmed he had a drink at Melbourne’s awards night on Tuesday.
“I had a couple of beers last night at the player of the year awards,” Munster told Fox League as he arrived at the Dally M Awards in Sydney.
“I was lucky enough to win player of the year so I celebrated a little bit.
“I’m most likely going to go back to it (booze ban) next year.”
After going within a whisker of being sacked by the Storm last year, Munster responded with arguably the finest NRL season of his career.
He was sensational for Melbourne and will be one of the leading contenders in the Dally M Medal count. – Travis Meyn
8.55PM: DALLY M COACH OF THE YEAR AWARDS
– TOOD PAYTEN – NRL
Todd Payten has joined rugby league coaching royalty by being crowned the 2022 Dally M Coach Of The Year.
Beating off the impressive mentoring performances in 2022 of Panthers coach Ivan Cleary, Rabbitohs leader Jason Demetriou, Sharks rookie Craig Fitzgibbon and Eels coach Brad Arthur, Payten has been rewarded for the Cowboys shock season of defiance.
Remarkably, grand final coach of Parramatta, Brad Arthur, failed to receive a nomination.
Your #DallyM Coach of the Year - Todd Payten 🤠pic.twitter.com/gZ3tgDD81D
— NRL (@NRL) September 28, 2022
Written-off by experts as wooden-spoon contenders ahead of this season, the Cowboys came of age under Payten, highlighted by nine squad members featuring in this year’s State of Origin series.
Finishing one-game shy of a grand final, Payten’s Dally M gong sees him join the likes of Jack Gibson, Wayne Bennett, Bob Fulton, Tim Sheens, Craig Bellamy and Ricky Stuart to have won the prestigious award.
In an equally as deserved victory, the Roosters coach John Strange took out the NRLW victory. – David Riccio
– JOHN STRANGE – NRLW
Your #DallyM Coach of the Year - John Strange 📠pic.twitter.com/zjnn1ePUaJ
— NRLW (@NRLWomens) September 28, 2022
8.37PM: NRL AND NRLW CAPTAIN OF THE YEAR AWARDS
ISAAH YEO
It was one of the last remaining awards a Panther could win. But now they have ticked off Dally M captain of the year after Isaah Yeo took out the award. Despite sharing the duties with Nathan Cleary, it was Yeo who took won the award on his own.
Cleary’s early season injury plus his late year suspension allowed Yeo to largely lead the side solo to minor premiership glory.
“ I co-captain with Nathan,” Yeo said. “It’s his award as much as it’s mine
We captain a great side that makes our job so easy.”
– Michael Carayannis
ISABELLE KELLY
Your #DallyM Captain of the Year - Isabelle Kelly 🤩 pic.twitter.com/pu5lnqTBZZ
— NRLW (@NRLWomens) September 28, 2022
8.31PM: PROVAN-SUMMONS MEDAL WINNER
– Nicho Hynes – NRL
– Toni Hunt – NRLW
8.19PM: JEREMIAH NANAI – NRL ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
Rising Cowboys star Jeremiah Nanai has added another chapter to his remarkable 2022 season after being crowned Dally M rookie of the year – and there could be more joy on the way.
Nanai took out the award at Wednesday night’s presentation ceremony in Sydney after just sneaking into consideration.
To be eligible for rookie of the year, a player must either be in their debut NRL season or have played less than five games in the preceding two years.
Nanai, 19, made his debut for North Queensland in 2021, but only played four games that season which allowed him to remain in contention for this year’s award.
The gong topped off what’s been a sensational season for Nanai, who scored 17 tries in 23 games for the Cowboys on the way to a preliminary finals berth.
He also made his State of Origin debut for Queensland, playing all three games including a stunning starting performance in the epic decider.
Nanai’s dream season may not be over yet as he remains in the mix for a spot in the Kangaroos squad for the upcoming World Cup.
– Travis Meyn
8.17PM: JESSE SOUTHWELL – NRLW ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
Your #DallyM Rookie of the Year - Jesse Southwell 🔥 pic.twitter.com/K0lom0HO3X
— NRLW (@NRLWomens) September 28, 2022
8.10PM: NICHO’S LEGENDARY FIRST NATIONS TRIBUTE
Whether he wins or loses on Wednesday night, Dally M contender Nicho Hynes is already a winner in the eyes of fans across Australia after his impromptu dance performance at the start of the awards night.
The Cronulla halfback, along with North Queensland flyer Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, joined Indigenous dancers as the awards show opened at the Star – setting social media alight.
I actually LOVE Nicho Hynes #DallyMpic.twitter.com/XwMdfoq7d8
— oh my, doroshi 😠(@doroshi_desu) September 28, 2022
Protect Nico Hynes by any means necessary. What a darling
— Zee (@sweettea19990) September 28, 2022
🥺🥺#DallyM
7.43PM: SNUBBED PANTHER’S SAVAGE DALLY M RANT
Penrith legend Craig Gower has savaged the NRL’s reasoning behind failing to retrospectively award him the 2003 Dally M medal – labelling their excuse as a “load of shit”.
Gower was the runaway favourite to claim rugby league’s top individual honour that year, having dominated for the Panthers all season, only to selflessly agree to a Dally M boycott as part of the RLPA’s fight for improved wages and conditions.
The Daily Telegraph mounted a campaign two years ago to rectify the now 19-year injustice, prompting whispers Gower would be rightly honoured with the award.
The former Penrith skipper even spoke to the NRL’s head of football elite competitions, Graham Annesley, but was left unimpressed when told the governing body had no way of determining if he’d “definitely” won it.
“I think it’s dead and buried really,” Gower told SEN Radio.
“From their point of view they can’t determine if I’ve definitely won it, which is a load of shit, really.
Craig Gower had some colourful words about the 2003 Dally M saga #DallyMpic.twitter.com/ga9QJkKSS8
— SEN League (@SENLeague) September 28, 2022
“Sometimes the powers that be have got their decisions they want to make. I don’t know how they get their information.
“From what I understand, I won it, but I can’t change that. I thought I was doing the right thing at the time.
“It gave the players access, which is good. We’ve got more of a say, which is what we were after.
“At the end of the day I’ll take a grand final win over a Dally M, but it’s certainly a nice accolade to have.”
7.20PM: PETER ‘CHIPPY’ FRILINGOS HEADLINE MOMENT WINNER
ORIGIN EPIC: State of Origin stole the show as the Peter ‘Chippy’ Frilingos Headline Moment of the Year vote was split with joint winners for the first time in the award’s history.
Queensland’s State of Origin III victory over NSW, and Blues under-19s star Jada Taylor’s miraculous 109m Origin try shared the honour.
Named after the legendary The Daily Telegraph journalist, this year’s award signalled a changing of the guard in terms of making headlines.
Queensland’s win in the most brutal Origin decider at Suncorp Stadium made front and back-page headlines.
Three players are forced off the field with concussion in the opening three minutes – Selwyn Cobbo, Cameron Murray and Lindsay Collins. Dane Gagai and Matt Burton were later sin-binned after a punch-up. Maroons fullback Kalyn Ponga inspired an upset victory to reclaim the Origin shield in front of 52,385 fans.
NSW star Jada Taylor made headlines of a different kind.
Taylor exploded onto the rugby league scene with her unbelievable length-of-the-field try for NSW in their under-19s Origin match against Queensland. From just inside the dead-ball line in her own in-goal at Leichhardt Oval, Taylor showed exceptional footwork to not only get back into the field of play, but her wicked left-foot step broke the line and she ran 109m to score.
Proving headlines are not just for the back pages of the paper, Taylor’s effort went viral, with video of her heroics racking up more than 16 million views, and even earning her a DM from the eighth Immortal, Andrew Johns.
6.59PM: DON’T PUT YOUR KEN IRVINE MEDAL THERE
They’re still filtering through on the red carpet – but there’s one award that could’ve been awarded in about Round 16.
Alex Johnston finished the year as the game’s leading tryscorer, with 28 at the end of the regular season before adding a further two in the finals series.
It’s a third-straight Ken Irvine medal for the South Sydney try-scoring freak, who joked he was going to use the award as a door stop.
“I don’t know what to do with this one … doorstop maybe,” Johnston said on Fox League.
“Just kidding. It’s a great honour and I love scoring tries.”
His favourite four-pointer this year? A simple effort against in a bash-up of the Wests Tigers – memorable because it made him South Sydney’s greatest ever tryscorer, overtaking Benny Wearing’s 144.
“I didn’t really have to do much, like most of my tries, I just caught it and put it down. but it was a pretty momentous occasion for myself and my family,” he said.
Jayme Fressard was the leading tryscorer in the WNRL, with five tries for the Sydney Roosters.
6.40PM: KEAON THE 2022 OSHAY OLAY
6.30PM: SUPERSTARS HIT THE RED CARPET
CASE FOR THE TOP CONTENDERS
The Dally M Medal is set for one of the closest counts in recent memory as up to six contenders vie for the NRL’s top individual award.
Will it be Mitch Moses, the architect of Parramatta’s Grand Final return? Or Nicho Hynes, arguably the recruit of the year after spearheading Cronulla’s top-two finish?
How about the most underrated player in Penrith’s all-conquering system — Dylan Edwards?
Queensland Origin hero Ben Hunt will enter tonight’s counting with a lead, but there’s no shortage of contenders to succeed Tom Trbojevic and join the NRL’s ultimate honour roll.
We will have all the awards covered from the NRL’s night of nights here.
BEN HUNT (Dragons)
Somebody stop him. Hunt led the Dally M with 19 points when voting went behind closed doors after round 12 and the Dragons playmaker is the red-hot favourite to clinch the biggest honour of his turbulent career.
The former Broncos halfback continued his strong form at the back end of the season, buoyed by his superb Origin campaign for the Maroons, scoring the try which sealed Queensland’s epic boilover of the Blues in the Suncorp decider.
In unofficial voting after round 12, News Corp’s team of league journalists gave Hunt four man-of-the-match awards in the run home, including a best-on-ground display in the Dragons’ final-round defeat of the Broncos.
Hunt is aided by the fact the struggling Dragons lacked the star power of premiership contenders, enabling the crafty No. 7 to dominate his side’s Dally M voting.
Incredibly, Hunt rejected the Dragons’ latest two-year offer just hour before the Dally M count.
MITCHELL MOSES (Eels)
The dark horse for the Dally M. Moses (15) was four points adrift of Hunt when voting went behind closed doors, putting the Eels schemer in the perfect position to launch a late-season strike.
While Moses missed some games with injury, he was at the epicentre of Parramatta’s charge into the top four.
In unofficial voting, the classy No. 7 polled points in five of the last eight games, including three man-of-the-match displays, completing a fine regular season with his carve up of the Storm in the final round.
Injury could prove his downfall, but don’t be surprised to see Moses stalking Hunt in the top five.
NICHO HYNES (Sharks)
Hunt regards Hynes as the biggest threat to his hopes of scaling the Dally M summit and it’s hard to disagree.
The former Storm utility proved a sensation in his first season at the Sharks. When voting went secret, Hynes (16) was third, one point ahead of Moses and, like his Eels rival, the Sharks schemer seemed to get better as the season progressed.
In unofficial voting, Hynes claimed points in six games and on four occasions, he collected the Big Three, headlined by back-to-back masterclasses against the Tigers and Manly in rounds 22 and 23.
If Hynes doesn’t prevail, he could go agonisingly close as the runner-up and Cronulla’s best performer since Preston Campbell tasted Dally M glory in 2001.
DYLAN EDWARDS (Panthers)
What a player. The Mr Underrated of Penrith’s premiership juggernaut.
Edwards was equal seventh on 13 points, six adrift of Hunt, after 12 rounds and Penrith’s posse of class players invariably means a host of Panthers will be stealing crucial Dally M points off one another.
The ever-reliable fullback claimed unofficial voting points in five games, including three best-on-ground efforts, notably his hatchet job of the Green Machine in round 21.
A top-five finish would be fine recognition for one of the code’s most bankable performers.
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