Cameron Smith wins 2017 Dally M Medal

CAMERON Smith absolutely cleaned up at the 2017 Dally M Awards — and he took home a superb piece of history with him.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA — SEPTEMBER 27: Cameron Smith arrives ahead of the 2017 Dally M Awards at The Star on September 27, 2017 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)

• Cam Smith set for yet another record
• Awkward joke falls flat
• Cameron Smith wins 2017 Dally M Medal

Dally M 2017

Cameron Smith has once again proven his worth as a future NRL Immortal after a dominant night at the 2017 Dally M Awards.

MELBOURNE Storm skipper Cameron Smith has been awarded his second Dally M Medal after an 11-year wait.

The veteran Queenslander also took home the Captain of the year and Hooker of the year accolades.

It was a Storm-heavy night with long-time coach Craig Bellamy cleaning up the Coach of the year award.

9:50pm

Cameron Smith takes home second Dally M

Cameron Smith has been awarded the 2017 Dally M Medal after a destructive season at the helm of the Melbourne Storm. Smith (33) stood eight points ahead of Cowboys halfback Michael Morgan (25) in second place.

“This is pretty special,” Smith said.

“Considering I am 34 and having the opportunity to win another Dally M is great.

“Maybe it is my best season. It is hard to compare them all but I have enjoyed this season and being part of such a special group of guys at Melbourne.

“That enjoyment has helped me play the way I have this year. At the end of the day it is not about the personal accolades, it is about the team and hopefully we can do the job this Sunday night.”

Smith’s 11-year wait between Medals is the longest in rugby league history. The next is Queensland teammate Johnathan Thurston, who had to wait seven years between his 2006 and 2014 best and fairest accolades.

Cameron Smith winning a #DallyM medal at 34 years old and after 356 games is staggering. You're not supposed to age like wine #NRL

— Mark Gottlieb (@MarkGottliebFOX) September 27, 2017

Well deserved for @camsmith9 sensational effort all year, deserves every accolade he gets. #DallyM #BringTheThunder

— Joshua Wells (@joshuawells93) September 27, 2017

#DallyM 2017: Here's how they finished when the race was called two rounds early. https://t.co/GgkL1ndnYU pic.twitter.com/B4FO3scS9p

— telegraph_sport (@telegraph_sport) September 27, 2017

9:45pm

NRL’s 2017 Team of the year

Prop — Aaron Woods

Hooker — Cameron Smith

Second Row — Matt Gillett

Lock — Paul Gallen

Halfback — Michael Morgan

Five-eighth — Gareth Widdop

Centre — Dylan Walker

Winger — Jordan Rapana

Fullback — Billy Slater

Interchange — Reagan Campbell-Gillard

9:20pm

Gutherson takes out Provan-Summons People’s Choice Medal

Clint Gutherson has been awarded the Provan-Summons Medal, but it was the legendary Arthur Summons who stole the show.

The 81-year-old, who is famous for being one of the men on the NRL’s premiership trophy, said he was renaming the Medal to put his name first due to long-time mate Norm Provan sitting out this year’s Dally M.

The pair have a history of hilarious banter on stage which was on show at last year’s awards night.

9pm

Feldt screamer earns Try of the year

Kyle Feldt’s stunner against the Panthers has cleaned up the fan-voted Try of the year accolade. Feldt’s grab on the wing almost put AFL Mark of the year winner Joe Daniher to shame, diving over Josh Mansour on the wing and plonking the ball down for the try.

The 2017 #DallyM fan voted 'Try of the Year' - @feldt092. #NRL pic.twitter.com/a98L1vN0V4

— NRL (@NRL) September 27, 2017

Craig Bellamy took home the Coach of the year award after a stellar season at the helm of the almost unstoppable Melbourne Storm.

8:44pm

Awkward joke under fire, Smith starts strong

Host Yvonne Sampson came under fire within the first five minutes after calling the Melbourne Storm the “South Queensland” Storm before calling Mal Meninga to the stage.

It’s a long running joke that the dominant Storm are helped by their Origin-heavy line-up, and fans weren’t too happy.

I am sick of hearing the "south Queensland Storm" thing... Melbourne * #DallyM

— Joshua Wells (@joshuawells93) September 27, 2017

"South Queensland Storm". #DallyM joke writer off to a flyer. Room almost murmured.

— Richard Hinds (@rdhinds) September 27, 2017

That was the first awkward moment of the night "South Queensland Storm" 🙄 #DallyM

— Tim ⛰️🐐 (@timchawthorne) September 27, 2017

Meanwhile, Cameron Smith has started the night off well, taking home his third Captain of the Year accolade.

Canberra Raiders young gun Nick Cotrick took the Rookie of the year award soon after.

Tackle of the year went to Nathan Brown for his brutal hit on Sydney Roosters prop Dylan Napa.

💥 BOOM! Tackle of the Year goes to Nathan Brown! #DallyM #blueandgold pic.twitter.com/VDgl4QI5x5

— Parramatta Eels (@TheParraEels) September 27, 2017

8:30pm

Nathan Ross gets it going

Nathan Ross was on his own dancing with Briggs during the opening song, but it was enough to steal the camera for a few seconds.

The 28-year-old jumped out of his seat to bust a move and chest-bump the Aussie rapper.

Caiti Baker performed with Briggs to open up the 2017 awards night.

🕺@Rossdog4 has the moves!#DallyM pic.twitter.com/XqjM1cBkWm

— NRL (@NRL) September 27, 2017

Nathan Ross is the best character in the game since Matty Johns #DallyM

— Joshua Wells (@joshuawells93) September 27, 2017

7pm

Record-smashing Taumalolo is having an off year, apparently

According to North Queensland coach Paul Green, Jason Taumalolo isn’t having his best NRL season.

But it seems someone has forgotten to tell the Cowboys wrecking ball. The barnstorming Kiwi international needs just 54m in Sunday’s NRL grand final against Melbourne to become the first forward in the competition’s history to crack 5000m for a season.

Only ex-Sydney Roosters speedster Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (5795m in 2015) has broken the 5000m barrier in the NRL’s previous 19 seasons.

Taumalolo shared the Dally M Medal last year with Cooper Cronk but his numbers have been staggering this year.

He is averaging 198m a match from his 25 games to date.

Last year Taumalolo made 4486m at 166m a game.

But asked if Taumalolo was having his best season yet, Green baulked before pointing to Melbourne skipper Cameron Smith’s overwhelming Dally M Medal favouritism.

“He won the Dally M last year but we were talking about Cam Smith winning the Dally M this year so maybe not,” he said.

Jason Taumalolo is a few runs away from a massive all-time record.

Then Green uttered the words rivals no doubt feared — 24-year-old Taumalolo is only going to get better.

“What we are seeing is his development as a player,” Green said. “He is still pretty young and I still think he has plenty of improvement left in him.

“But he has been tremendous for us. He is one of the guys who have taken ownership and leadership.” Master of understatement Taumalolo believed he was in “good form heading into a grand final”.

“For the moment I am happy with where I am at — I can be better in some areas, just effort areas,” he said.

“But apart from that I am pretty happy with how I am going.” Taumalolo said he no choice but to find another gear in 2017 with co-captain and Test prop Matt Scott sidelined since round two.

“I have more accountability on myself this year especially with Matt Scott not in the middle taking charge,” he said.

“I think Scott Bolton and I have taken it on ourselves to guide the boys around the park and helping out the young boys coming off the bench, showing a bit of leadership to them.”

— AAP