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NRL Dally M Awards 2018: Roger Tuivasa-Sheck wins Dally M medal

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck has become the first Warriors player to be named the NRL’s best, beating Luke Brooks and Kalyn Ponga.

Adrian McMurray and ELIAS VISONTAY
10 min read
4:32PMSeptember 26, 2018.
Updated 12:16AMSeptember 27, 2018
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2018 Dally M Red Carpet Highlights

Fullback Roger Tuivasa-Sheck became the first New Zealand Warriors player to win the Dally M Medal last night as Melbourne pair Cameron Smith and Cameron Munster were honoured with gongs ahead of Sunday night’s grand final at ANZ Stadium.

Blake Ferguson was the sole Sydney Roosters player to win an award, christened winger of the year after a season in which he has led the NRL in running metres.

Tuivasa-Sheck was the big winner, topping the tally in a dramatic final round of voting as he edged out Newcastle sensation Kalyn Ponga and Cronulla fullback Valentine Holmes.

That trio of players ruled the roost, reinforcing the status of fullbacks as the most damaging players in the game. Also in the top five were Wests Tigers halfback Luke Brooks and Newcastle captain Mitchell Pearce, who managed to poll well despite missing a slew of games through injury.

There was also plenty of action on the red carpet before the medal count began. See how the night unfolded below.

Adrian McMurray 10.20pm: Full list of award winners

So, to re-cap, here’s the full list of winners from tonight.

Dally M Player of the Year: Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (Warriors)
Captain of the Year: Cameron Smith (Melbourne Storm)
Coach of the Year: Anthony Seibold (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
Peter Moore Award for Rookie of the Year: Jamayne Isaako (Brisbane Broncos)
Fullback of the Year: Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (Warriors)
Winger of the Year: Blake Ferguson (Sydney Roosters)
Centre of the Year: Joey Leilua (Canberra Raiders)
Five-eighth of the Year: Cameron Munster (Melbourne Storm)
Halfback of the Year: Luke Brooks (Wests Tigers)
Lock of the Year: Jason Taumalolo (North Queensland Cowboys)
Second-rower of the Year: Josh Jackson (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs)
Prop of the Year: Andrew Fifita (Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks)
Hooker of the Year: Damien Cook (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
Interchange Player of the Year: Jazz Tevaga (Warriors)
Top points-scorer: Jamayne Isaako (Brisbane Broncos)
Top try-scorer: David Fusitu’a (Warriors)
Provan Summons People’s Choice Medal: Damien Cook (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
Female Player of the Year: Brittany Breayley (Brisbane Broncos)
Peter Frilingos Headline Moment: First Women’s State of Origin game
Ken Stephen Medal: Ryan James (Gold Coast Titans)

Adrian McMurray 10.04pm: Haka ends Dally Ms

In a fairly emotional moment, Issac Luke, Jazz Tevaga and Jordan Rapana bust out an impromptu haka to celebrate Tuivasa-Sheck’s win, and that wraps up the evening.

Adrian McMurray 10.00pm: RTS wins Dally M Medal
And there it is! Three votes in round 25 hands Roger Tuivasa-Sheck the Dally M Medal!

The final top 10:

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 29
Kalyn Ponga 27
Luke Brooks 26
Valentine Holmes 25
Mitchell Pearce 23
Jason Taumalolo 19
Cameron Munster 19
Ashley Taylor 18
Damien Cook 18
Issac Luke 18


Adrian McMurray 9.59pm: Team of the year named

Time now for the team of the year. They are as follows:

Interchange Player of the Year: Jazz Tevaga
Lock of the Year: Jason Taumalolo
Second rower of the Year: Josh Jackson
Prop of the Year: Andrew Fifita
Hooker of the Year: Damien Cook
Halfback of the Year: Luke Brooks
Five-eighth of the Year: Cameron Munster
Centre of the Year: Joey Leilua
Winger of the Year: Blake Ferguson
Fullback of the Year: Roger Tuivasa-Sheck

Adrian McMurray 9.50pm: Ponga jumps back on top

Plenty of players in the top 10 poll votes, including Valentine Holmes, Cameron Munster, Mitchell Pearce and Ash Taylor. Ponga jumps to the top, but misses the final rounds of the season. And with just one round to go, Ponga holds a one-point lead over Brooks and RTS.

We’re going down to the final round!

Adrian McMurray 9.42pm: Breayley beats hot field

Broncos hooker Brittany Breayley takes the Female Player of the Year award over some terrific players. She’s been a weapon out of dummy-half during the inaugural NRLW season and will be key to her side’s chances in Sunday’s grand final.

Adrian McMurray 9.36pm: Brooks hits the front

Well! We have a new leader after 22 rounds — Luke Brooks! RTS and Ponga are just one behind, though. Still three rounds to go, so anything could happen.

Adrian McMurray 9.30pm: Fusitu’a takes top try-scorer gong

David Fusitu’a takes the Ken Irvine Medal for top try-scorer. He crossed the line 22 times during the regular season, scoring once in the Warriors’ lone finals appearance. A fair effort from the Warriors wide man.

Adrian McMurray 9.27pm: Women take headline of the year

The first women’s State of Origin match takes the Headline Moment of the Year award, in honour of legendary News Corp journalist Peter Frilingos.

Dragons and Jillaroos fullback Sam Bremner accepts the award on behalf of both teams, and ends her interview asking: “Do I get to keep this one?”

Adrian McMurray 9.22pm: Morris recognised

A nice moment during NRL CEO Todd Greenberg’s speech, where Steve Morris is recognised as the first ever Dally M medal winner. He’s presented with a replica for his efforts in 1979.

Adrian McMurray 9.15pm: Ponga remains on top

We resume the Dally M count! Not sure what the game’s elite were up to in round 17, as none of the top 10 recorded votes. After round 20, Ponga remains on top, with Brooks and RTS climb further up. Pearce polls well to join the top 10, Jai Arrow dropping out. Interestingly, two Knights and a pair of Warriors players sit in the top 10.

Leaderboard after round 20:

Kalyn Ponga 24
Luke Brooks 20
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 19
Gareth Widdop 17
Mitchell Pearce 17
Andrew Fifita 17
James Maloney 17
Issac Luke 17
Jason Taumalolo 16
Ashley Taylor 16

Adrian McMurray 9.10pm: Cook the people’s choice

That’s another award for the Rabbitohs, with hooker Damien Cook named the fans’ favourite, presented with the Provan Summons People’s Choice Medal. Will he return to take the Hooker of the Year prize, and perhaps the main award?

Adrian McMurray 9.01pm: Thaiday’s cheeky dig

Retired Broncos forward Sam Thaiday runs through a tribute to this year’s retiring stars, and what a list it is! Perhaps a cheeky dig at the AFL — who inadvertently included Michael Rischitelli in their retiring players montage despite the Suns previously announcing he’d play on in 2019 — with Paul Gallen added to the list.

Adrian McMurray 8.55pm: Smith skipper of the year

Cameron Smith wins Captain of the Year for the fourth time, retaining the award he won last year and in 2011 and 2013. No real shock there as the Storm skipper set aside rep duties to guide his side to yet another grand final.

Adrian McMurray 8.51pm: Seibold takes Coach of the Year

First-year Rabbitohs coach Anthony Seibold wins Coach of the Year, incredible given 12 months ago he’d yet to take charge of an NRL side. He took Souths all the way to the preliminary finals before his side fell to the Roosters last Saturday.

Adrian McMurray 8.43pm: The count begins

We’re underway, starting where votes went behind closed doors after round 12. And after 16 rounds, Ponga moves to the top of the leaderboard with 22 votes. RTS is well behind on 15, while James Maloney is in a tie for second on 17 along with Gareth Widdop and Luke Brooks. When quizzed whether he’ll poll any more votes, Maloney isn’t so sure, claiming he’s just “here for the party”.

Leaderboard after round 16:

Kalyn Ponga 22
Gareth Widdop 17
James Maloney 17
Luke Brooks 17
Ashley Taylor 16
Andrew Fifita 16
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 15
Jason Taumalolo 14
Jai Arrow 14
Issac Luke 14

Adrian McMurray 8.39pm: Broncos young gun takes rookie gong

Jamayne Isaako takes out the Rookie of the Year award. The Broncos’ goalkicking ace topped the points scoring in the NRL in 2018 with 239.

Adrian McMurray 8.35pm: ‘Just keep playing’

The League Life hosts kick off the televised portion of the evening, with Billy Slater and Johnathan Thurston joining Yvonne Sampson on stage. Sampson asks Thurston, who’s been retired for three weeks, whether he has any advice for Slater who will bow out after Sunday’s grand final.

“Just keep playing,” Thurston quips.

Outstanding stuff.

Adrian McMurray 8.19pm: James wins community prize

The formal proceedings have begun! Titans captain Ryan James has taken out the Ken Stephen Medal for his work in the community.

8.00pm: Team of the Year finalists

In addition to the Dally M Player of the Year, a Team of the Year will also be named. The following players have been shortlist for each positional prize.

Fullback: Valentine Holmes (Sharks), Kalyn Ponga (Knights), James Tedesco (Roosters), Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (Warriors)

Winger: Josh Addo-Carr (Storm), Blake Ferguson (Roosters), David Fusitu’a (Warriors), Corey Oates (Broncos), Jordan Rapana (Raiders)

Centre: Waqa Blake (Panthers), Joseph Leilua (Raiders), Esan Marsters (Wests Tigers), Latrell Mitchell (Roosters), Jesse Ramien (Sharks)

Five-eighth: Anthony Milford (Broncos), Matt Moylan (Sharks), Cameron Munster (Storm), Gareth Widdop (Dragons)

Halfback: Luke Brooks (Wests Tigers), Daly Cherry-Evans (Sea Eagles), Cooper Cronk (Roosters), Ash Taylor (Titans)

Prop: Nelson Asofa-Solomona (Storm), Andrew Fifita (Sharks), Martin Taupau (Sea Eagles), Paul Vaughan (Dragons)

Hooker: Damien Cook (Rabbitohs), Issac Luke (Warriors), Cameron McInnes (Dragons), Cameron Smith (Storm)

Second rower: Tyson Frizell (Sharks), Tohu Harris (Warriors), Josh Jackson (Bulldogs), Tariq Sims (Dragons)

Lock: Jai Arrow (Titans), Nathan Brown (Eels), Jason Taumalolo (Cowboys), Jake Trbojevic (Sea Eagles)

Interchange: Leeson Ah Mau (Dragons), Cameron Murray (Rabbitohs), Jazz Tevaga (Warriors), Alex Twal (Wests Tigers), Aaron Woods (Sharks)

Elias Visontay 7.19pm: Cook ready for Dally M tilt

South Sydney’s Damien Cook has arrived on the red carpet and is “pretty excited” about the evening. “I’m really looking forward to it tonight” he told The Australian. He arrived with fiancee Courtney Blaine, who was wearing a red frock with sequins by Melbourne designer Georgia Young.

Damien Cook and partner Courtney Blaine. Picture: Jonathan Ng
Damien Cook and partner Courtney Blaine. Picture: Jonathan Ng

7.09pm: Best shots from the red carpet

Dally Ms 2018 red carpet
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 26: Darius Boyd and Kayla Boyd arrive at the 2018 Dally M Awards at Overseas Passenger Terminal on September 26, 2018 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
VIEW GALLERY

Elias Visontay 6.37pm: One of the favourites hits the red carpet

Kylan Ponga has arrived on the red carpet in a moon boot. He told The Australian he’s “open minded” about tonight and is excited to “soak it all up” at his first Dally M Awards night.

6.18pm: How about Marty’s ride?

Sea Eagles big man Martin Taupau has an equally big SUV to take to the awards night, alongside partner Michelle Baillie.

6.15pm: Red carpet underway

NRL stars and their partners have started to make their way in via the red carpet, and you can watch it all live above, with the best pictures to be featured in our gallery as they come in throughout the night.

6.05pm: Red carpet starts to fill, guests to arrive soon

Adrian McMurray 6.00pm: Who are the bookies favouring?

Dally M betting closed at 3pm as per NRL rules, but earlier Roger Tuivasa-Sheck was the hot favourite. Here’s where the money was heading into tonight’s count.

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck ($1.75) — The Warriors skipper started to hit some of the unbelievable numbers he reached during his incredible 2015 season. Was hugely influential as the Auckland-based side made the finals for the first time since 2011.

Damien Cook ($5) — Enjoyed a breakout year as he not only became South Sydney’s main man, but was a key part of NSW’s Origin triumph in his first series. Is widely tipped to take the Kangaroos No 9 jersey vacated by Cameron Smith.

Damien Cook. Picture: AAP
Damien Cook. Picture: AAP

Valentine Holmes ($6) — Scored 22 tries and led the competition for linebreaks (26) as he established himself as the Sharks’ main man at fullback. Spent time on the wing earlier in the season but was virtually untouchable from mid-season onwards.

Valentine Holmes. Picture: AAP
Valentine Holmes. Picture: AAP

Kalyn Ponga ($6.50) — A revelation in his first full season in the NRL, Ponga became the Knights’ key man particularly given Mitchel Pearce’s lengthy stint on the sidelines. Made 140 tackle breaks and the first of what should be many Origin appearances for Queensland. Also won the Players’ Champion award at the RLPA’s awards night earlier this month.

Luke Brooks ($17) — Stepped up in arguably his best NRL season to date, partnering Benji Marshall in the halves for much of the season. Key to many Tigers victories, Brooks would’ve polled well ahead of the majority of his teammates.

Luke Brooks. Picture: AAP
Luke Brooks. Picture: AAP

Andrew Fifita ($41) — Took on more of a leadership role at Cronulla while posting some impressive figures as he normally does. Led the NRL for offloads (82) and was fourth for tackle breaks (117), second for all runs (435), but also gave away the most penalties of any player this season (39).

Andrew Fifita. Picture: Brett Costello
Andrew Fifita. Picture: Brett Costello

4.30pm: Kalyn Ponga could follow Potter

Mick Potter knows what it’s like to win a Dally M award as a 20-year-old, but even he’s blown away by what Kalyn Ponga has achieved this NRL season.

Newcastle sensation Ponga aims to become the youngest Dally M winner in NRL history when it is announced at Sydney’s Circular Quay tonight.

Wind back to 1984 and Potter was a shock winner of rugby league’s highest individual medal at age 20, before Penrith great Greg Alexander repeated the feat the following year.

Should Ponga win, he will be several months younger than both Potter and Alexander were.

While both entered their respective Dally M seasons as 20-year-olds, Ponga turned 20 just five days after the Knights’ round-three loss to the Sydney Roosters.

He became the youngest recipient of the Players’ Champion at the Rugby League Players Association awards this month.

Kalyn Ponga. Picture: Getty Images
Kalyn Ponga. Picture: Getty Images

According to the bookmakers, Ponga is on the fourth line of betting, behind red-hot favourite Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Damien Cook and Valentine Holmes.

Potter was an assistant on Nath­an Brown’s coaching staff this year and, having watched Ponga up close, describes him as a rare breed. “He’s got a drive that’s really impressive,” Potter said. “He’s going to be a marked man next year and have it a little bit tougher because teams — they’re going to see whether he changes up what he does.

“And he knows it’s coming. He’s doesn’t just think now he’s played a year of first grade and played State of Origin and it’s all going to come easy.”

When Dally M voting went behind closed doors after round 12, Ponga was on 16 points, just one behind Penrith playmaker James Maloney and equal with Luke Brooks and Andrew Fifita.

What will count against Ponga are the four games he missed in the final eight weeks — including Knights’ wins against Parramatta and Gold Coast that would have been golden chances to poll points.

Potter said although he felt like he was a shock winner as Canterbury’s No 1 in 1984, Ponga had guided the Knights around the park for most of the season.

“It all flashed past — I was surprised to start in first-grade at the start of the year,” he said. “It was fantastic playing behind a group of players that were just hardened. They were tough. They knew how to win.

“I felt like I was just a support for most of those guys. I was taken aback by getting that award, I thought I was just a bit-part player … It’s totally different for Kalyn.”

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck is the hot favourite for the 2018 Dally M Medal. Picture: AAP
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck is the hot favourite for the 2018 Dally M Medal. Picture: AAP

Meanwhile, Tuivasa-Sheck has been ruled out of New Zealand’s Test against Australia in Auckland next month and subsequent tour of Europe. A NZ Rugby League statement confirmed Tuivasa-Sheck was still not fit following knee surgery this month.

AAP

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Original URL: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/nrl/dally-m-awards-2018-roger-tuivasasheck-kalyn-ponga-damien-cook-the-favourites/news-story/f1f0f4ca515dbfd2c2072446975cb016