New Zealand Warriors captain Roger Tuivasa-Sheck wins 2018 Dally M

WARRIORS captain Roger Tuivasa-Sheck made NRL history at the Dally Ms and his teammates’ response gave onlookers chills.

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck made history after claiming the 2018 Dally M.

• Full list of Dally M Awards
• Maloney has crowd in stitches
• ‘It’s crazy … I think I’m just lucky’

Live: NRL Dally M 2018

New Zealand Warriors skipper Roger Tuivasa-Sheck has made history after claiming the 2018 NRL Dally M.

THE NRL’s night of nights went down to the wire in what was an incredibly tight count between three young stars.

In the end, it was New Zealand Warriors skipper Roger Tuivasa-Sheck who walked away victorious and became the first Warriors player to claim the top prize.

And it was the response of his teammates that stole the night, leaving him fighting back tears and giving everyone watching goosebumps.

DALLY M FINAL LEADERBOARD

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (Warriors) — 29 votes

Kalyn Ponga (Knights) — 27 votes

Luke Brooks (Tigers) — 26 votes

Valentine Holmes (Sharks) — 25 votes

Mitchell Pearce (Knights) — 23 votes

10.15pm

Impromptu haka steals the night

Jazz Tevaga and Issac Luke perform the haka for Dally M Player of the Year Roger Tuivasa-Sheck. Picture: Brett Costello

A tense Dally M count went down to the wire with Tuivasa-Sheck claiming the honour and with 29 votes after polling three in the final round of the season.

Young star Kalyn Ponga held the lead heading into the final round but was overrun as he missed the last two games through injury.

A stellar season from the Warriors leader was capped with not only the Dally M award, but also the Fullback of the Year award.

In a sign of the changing times, none of the top five — which also included Luke Brooks and Mitchell Pearce — have previously polled in the top five positions at the Dally Ms during their career.

Tuivasa-Sheck became the first fullback to win the award since Ben Barba in 2012, as he averaged 167 metres a match and busted through a total of 92 tackles.

The highlight of the night, however, came after Tuivasa-Sheck had collected his Dally M trophy and lined up alongside the team of the year.

As a round of applause broke out for the players on the podium, Tuivasa-Sheck’s teammates Issac Luke, Jazz Tevaga and David Fusitu’a stood in the middle of the room and pulled out an impromptu haka.

The incredible moment (which you can watch in the video player above) had the skipper fighting back tears and left every person in attendance and watching on with goosebumps.

“That’s just crazy. (Given) where I’m from back in New Zealand, that is a special moment for me,” Tuivasa-Sheck said.

Awesome. Picture: NRL

“Back home when something happens, the haka is performed to bring up a special occasion and just to be receiving of one is a big honour.

“To have Bully (Issac Luke) a close friend of mine do it for me and a close group of friends there was truly special for me.”

With his partner back home in New Zealand with his young child, Tuivasa-Sheck was joined by his father Jonny for the night and the pair embraced on the stage post-awards.

“My dad, even though he was a bit quiet tonight, he gives some pretty honest feedback and sometimes I want to block his number because they keep coming,” the Warriors fullback said.

“But that’s because he wants to pick up small areas in my game and wants to help me improve me every day. He’s fully into it and I love him for it.”

Andddd the BEST moment of the 2018 @NRL season goes to the Haka at the #DallyM awards night!

Respect 👊🏽

— Zac Bailey (@ZacBailey14) September 26, 2018

How good was the haka tribute to RTS by his team-mates led by Issac Luke. Everyone in the room loved it. Massive respect for those guys and their culture.

— Brad Walter (@BradWalterSport) September 26, 2018

10.05pm

Full list of awards

Dally M — Roger Tuivasa-Sheck

Female Player of the Year — Brittany Breayley

Captain of the Year — Cameron Smith

Coach of the Year — Anthony Seibold

Rookie of the Year — Jamayne Isaako

Ken Stephen Award — Ryan James

Provan-Summons Medal — Damien Cook

Peter Frilingos Memorial Award — Women’s State of Origin match

Ken Irvine Top Tryscorer Award — David Fusitu’a

TEAM OF THE YEAR

Fullback — Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (New Zealand Warriors)

Winger — Blake Ferguson (Sydney Roosters)

Centre — Joseph Leilua (Canberra Raiders)

Five-eighth — Cameron Munster (Melbourne Storm)

Halfback — Luke Brooks (Wests Tigers)

Prop — Andrew Fifita (Cronulla Sharks)

Second-rower — Josh Jackson (Canterbury Bulldogs)

Lock — Jason Taumalolo (North Queensland Cowboys)

Hooker — Damien Cook (South Sydney Rabbitohs)

Interchange — Jazz Tevaga (New Zealand Warriors)

The 2018 #DallyM Team of Year!#NRL pic.twitter.com/AvPSIcMO1h

— NRL (@NRL) September 26, 2018

9.30pm

Warriors claim first award

With Roger Tuivasa-Sheck still in the running to clean-up the awards, it was a Warriors teammate who opened proceedings for New Zealand.

David Fusitu’a claimed the Ken Irvine award for the top tryscorer after recording a staggering 23 tries throughout the 2018 season.

Every David Fusitu'a try from 2018!#DallyM#NRL pic.twitter.com/Y17T5pSM1U

— NRL (@NRL) September 26, 2018

9pm

Maloney leaves crowd in stitches

Penrith Panthers star James Maloney had the lead in the Dally M after round 12 but was quickly overtaken by young star Kalyn Ponga.

After the first four rounds of votes were announced Maloney didn’t move from his initial tally of 17 and when asked if he had a comeback in him, the skipper left everyone in attendance in fits of laughter.

“Nah I think I’m probably finished on 17 … I’m just here for the party,” Maloney said.

When pushed on what his drinking plans were and if he’d be going at a wine per round for the rest of the evening Maloney was just as upfront.

“Yeah lets go with that and see how we go,” Maloney said.

8.55pm

Cameron Smith claims another award

The Melbourne Storm skipper has added another trophy to add to his poolroom after being named the Captain of the Year.

8.50pm

Rabbitohs coach claims top honour

In his first year as a head coach Anthony Seibold lead South Sydney to third spot on the ladder after the club finished 11th last season.

Seibold then lead his troops into the third week of the finals and his incredible efforts throughout the 2018 season were duly rewarded as he claimed the Coach of the Year award.

Your 2018 #DallyM Coach of the Year - Anthony Seibold!#NRL pic.twitter.com/5osoSRqGeX

— NRL (@NRL) September 26, 2018

8.40pm

Isaako claims Rookie of the Year

And in no surprise to anybody, Jamayne Isaako from the Brisbane Broncos claims the Rookie of the Year award.

Isaako ended the 2018 season with 11 tries to his name after making 26 appearances in his first year in the league.