Roger Tuivasa-Sheck becomes first Warriors Dally M winner

Fullback Roger Tuivasa-Sheck became the first New Zealand Warriors player to win the Dally M Medal last night.

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck with the Dally M Medal at the Overseas Passenger Terminal in Sydney last nigtht

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.

ROLLING COVERAGE: How the night unfolded

Tuivasa-Sheck polled 29 points in a glittering ceremony at the Sydney Overseas Passenger Terminal, overtaking Ponga in the final round to take the top honour. Just four points separated the top four players in the final voting.

Smith, preparing to play in a matter of days his third consecutive grand final, was awarded captain of the year honours while Munster won five-eighth of the year.

The pair will be integral to the Storm as they attempt to become the first side to defend a title in a unified competition since Brisbane did so in 1993.

Ferguson, who will play his final game for the Roosters on Sunday night before joining Parramatta next season, highlighted why the Eels went so hard to sign him as he took out the winger award.

South Sydney coach Anthony Seibold was awarded coach of the year, beating out Melbourne mentor Craig Bellamy and his Roosters counterpart Trent Robinson. The Rabbitohs coach took over the reins from Michael Maguire in the off-season and led his side back into the finals, giving them a shot at the minor premiership only to stumble in the later rounds.

They were eliminated by the Roosters in the preliminary final but there was no disputing Seibold’s impact on the club as he turned them back into premiership contenders.

The prestigious Provan Summons People’s Choice award was won by Rabbitohs hooker Damien Cook, who also won hooker of the year.

Cook started the year in a tussle for the No 9 jersey at the Rabbitohs and finishes it with a series win for NSW and a Dally M award. He is likely to add an Australian jersey to that collection next week as national coach Mal Meninga prepares to give him the role for Tests against New Zealand and Tonga.

Rookie of the year was taken out by Broncos flyer Jamayne Isaako — the award presented by retiring Melbourne star Billy Slater, who will play his final game in the grand final after beating a shoulder charge offence at the NRL judiciary on Tuesday night.

Dally M female player of the year was the Broncos’ Brittany Breayley and the Ken Stephen Medal for work in the community went to Gold Coast Titans captain Ryan James.

“This is a night we can celebrate the incredible feats of our players,” NRL chief executive Todd Greenberg said.

“Our players are the reason we have seen crowds, ratings and memberships increase this year.

“Our players played such a key role in the rise in participation this year — because young girls and boys want to be like them.”

In a special presentation, former St George player Steve Morris was officially added to the record books as the first recipient of the Dally M Medal.

Morris was awarded a Dally M Medal in 1979, but until last night was never acknowledged as a Dally M Medal winner.

NRL Dally M Awards 2018: best of red carpet