Melbourne Storm star Jahrome Hughes claims 2024 Dally M Medal in one-point thriller

Melbourne Storm star Jahrome Hughes has completed one of the greatest Dally M Medal comebacks in history, overcoming a huge points deduction to claim rugby league’s highest individual honour.

First the Dally M, now for the Clive Churchill Medal.

Melbourne halfback Jahrome Hughes capped a stunning 2024 NRL season by being crowned rugby league’s best player at a glittering Dally M Medal awards function at Royal Randwick racecourse on Wednesday night.

Roosters star Olivia Kernick secured top honours in the NRLW, winning by two points.

In a fascinating and tense finish, Hughes finished on 62 points, just one clear of Sydney Roosters fullback James Tedesco, to claim the prestigious honour.

The pair kicked well clear of Manly teammates Daly Cherry-Evans (51 points) and Tom Trbojevic (46), North Queensland’s Scott Drinkwater, Penrith’s Isaah Yeo and last year’s winner, Newcastle fullback Kalyn Ponga.

Penrith’s Dylan Edwards, who led the field on 31 points when voting went behind-closed-doors after round 12, only polled another three points after missing seven-regular season games through injury.

Jahrome Hughes with his Dally M Medal. Picture: Jonathan Ng

NRLW star Olivia Kernick shows off her Dally M Medal. Picture: Jonathan Ng

Hughes led Tedesco by one point heading into the final round, where both players polled maximum votes in a dramatic finish.

Hughes joins league greats including Andrew Johns, Johnathan Thurston, Laurie Daley, Peter Sterling, Steve Rogers, Ray Price, Ricky Stuart, Allan Langer, Cam Smith and Billy Slater as a Dally M Medal winner.

“I’m speechless,” Hughes said. “It’s surreal to be honest. I’ve got butterflies at the moment, it’s kind of weird. I’m honoured.”

Storm coach Craig Bellamy added: “Jahrome has a real confidence about himself now. He’s had one hell of a year.”

Having now secured the game’s highest individual award, Hughes’ laser focus turns to Sunday night’s grand final and his direct opponent, the mercurial Panther, Nathan Cleary.

The final men's Dally M Medal leaderboard.

The battle between the two dominant halfbacks will have a big say in determining the 2024 premiers.

The Storm halfback was 15th when Dally M voting went behind closed doors.

He lost six points following a one-match ban for touching referee Chris Butler against Newcastle in Round 3.

And Dally M coach of the year Craig Bellamy rested Hughes from the Storm’s Round 26 game against North Queensland, denying him the chance to poll more votes.

But Hughes, 29, wouldn’t be denied. He played 12 games after Dally M voting went private and led Melbourne to victory in 11 of them.

He found career-best form after taking control of Melbourne after Cam Munster’s 10-week recovery from a groin injury sustained in round 11.

Jahrome Hughes overcame a six-point deduction to claim the medal. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

He posted a career-high 31 try assists and 27 linebreak assists this season.

The Storm champion also recorded 21 linebreaks – the most of his career – and his 12-try tally for the season is the equal most of his career.

Cleary is $4.50 favourite for Clive Churchill Medal with Hughes second favourite paying $5, according to TAB.

Only two players have won the Dally M Medal and Clive Churchill Medal double in the same season – Peter Sterling (1986) and Johnathan Thurston (2015).

Grand final opponent Cleary is well and truly aware who’s been rugby league’s top player this season.

“(Jahrome) has been a pleasure to watch all year, he’s been on fire. He’s been the best player this year for sure,” Cleary said.

“He’s definitely the best running halfback I’ve just about ever seen. The way he takes on the line, he’s constantly a threat. I think he’s added a lot of other stuff to his game as well just in terms of game management and ball playing.”

“He’s a great player. I have a lot of admiration watching other halves that are really killing it and try to pick their game apart and add it to mine.”

Munster insists Hughes has drawn level with Nathan Cleary as the NRL’s premier player.

“I’m in awe of the way he goes about it,” Munster said. “He’s probably not the traditional half but he has worked really hard on his game and it has obviously paid dividends for him this year.

“He’s probably one of the in-form players of this competition, I think he’s number one, probably even with Nathan Cleary, so it just shows hard work pays off.”