In 2009 I was named Best Hooker in the Dally M Team of the Year. It was a proud moment in my career, being named by commentators and pundits of the game as the best and fairest No9 throughout the season.
Having won that award last year, what I am about to say about the Dally M process may seem a bit strange, but it is something that bothers me every time the awards come around.
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The Dally M Medal is the highest individual honour an NRL player can receive. Like the Brownlow Medal in AFL and the Allan Border Medal in cricket, it is something all players in their respective codes strive to win one day.
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What annoys me is that the Dally M Medal is invariably won by a halfback, a fullback, a five-eighth or, to a lesser extent, a hooker. It seems that players playing in any other position stand no chance of winning the highest accolade, and to me that is an unfair playing field.
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Let's take a look at the past 15 Dally M Medal winners and their positions: 2009 - Jarryd Hayne (fullback), 2008 - Matt Orford (halfback), 2007 and 2005 - Johnathan Thurston (halfback), 2006 - Cameron Smith (hooker), 2004 - Danny Buderus (hooker), 2003 - Craig Gower (halfback), 2002, 1999 and 1998 - Andrew Johns (halfback), 2001 - Preston Campbell (halfback/fullback), 2000 - Trent Barrett (five-eighth), 1997 - Brad Fittler (five-eighth), 1996 - Jason Taylor (halfback), 1995 - Paul Green (halfback).
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In fact, we have to go back to 1994 to find a winner that was not a No1, No6, No7 or No9 – and that was North Sydney Bears' prop David Fairleigh.
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There is no question that the guys listed above are all outstanding players, and were match-winners for their teams. But as a player, I just feel that the Dally M voting process does not reward the blokes who do the real hard yards week in week out.
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It is clear that the Dally M judges are more inclined to give the points to those flair players. The halfbacks, five-eighths and fullbacks who do most of their work in attack, who set up and score the brilliant tries, and who seem to have all the great skills.
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My argument is, what about the blokes who lay the platform for those flair players to perform? What about the guys who literally put their bodies on the line so much in defence? What about the players that can always be relied upon to do the tough stuff for their teams?
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The 2010 Dally M awards are on Tuesday and it should once again be a fantastic night. I just wish there was a new category rewarding the unsung heroes of the game.
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Here is my Dally M Team of the Year for 2010:
Fullback: Darius Boyd – Outstanding all season, and one of the best kick returners in the game. His ball-playing skills have developed into something Karmichael Hunt-like.
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Winger: Akuila Uate – An exctiment machine. Strong, fast, a great finisher and has that X-factor.
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Centre: Jamie Lyon – A class player with all the skills, who seems to be thriving on the captaincy at Manly. Centre is his home, not five-eighth.
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Five-eighth: Todd Carney – What a return. Consistent all season and thriving in combination with Mitchell Pearce. Played fullback for a part of the year but he played as a ball player/second receiver when he wore the No1 anyway.
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Halfback: Scott Prince – Another one with all the skills, and his control of the team is first class. He will be the key if the Titans are to succeed in September.
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Prop: Michael Weyman – 'Horse' has been strong all season for the Dragons and a real reason they have again won the minor premiership.
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Hooker: Isaac Luke – On the back of a big Souths pack, Luke has taken his game to a new level. I've got great respect for him as a hooker.
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Second row: Scott Bolton/Sam Thaiday – I can't split these two. Bolton has been a standout in a disappointing season for the Cowboys, and Thaiday has taken the second-row position to a new level. He is the benchmark.
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Lock: Corey Parker – Has been consistently brilliant for a number of seasons. He goes above and beyond for the Broncos in every match. Should be bashing on the door for Origin selection. Special mentions also to Paul Gallen, Nate Myles and David Stagg.
http://wwos.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=7954950" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Ennis Article on ninemsn regarding the Daily M Medal, but what strikes me as funny is his "Team of the year"
Not a tiger in sight… in particlular his awful decisions for Second Rower (cough ELLIS) and Lock... (cough HEIGHNINGTON)
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Granted I rate Gallen and Thiaday, but his other choices are questionable at best...
Is he another Heindmarsh/Thurston etc.. who just doesn't take the tigers seriously?
Having won that award last year, what I am about to say about the Dally M process may seem a bit strange, but it is something that bothers me every time the awards come around.
>
The Dally M Medal is the highest individual honour an NRL player can receive. Like the Brownlow Medal in AFL and the Allan Border Medal in cricket, it is something all players in their respective codes strive to win one day.
>
What annoys me is that the Dally M Medal is invariably won by a halfback, a fullback, a five-eighth or, to a lesser extent, a hooker. It seems that players playing in any other position stand no chance of winning the highest accolade, and to me that is an unfair playing field.
>
Let's take a look at the past 15 Dally M Medal winners and their positions: 2009 - Jarryd Hayne (fullback), 2008 - Matt Orford (halfback), 2007 and 2005 - Johnathan Thurston (halfback), 2006 - Cameron Smith (hooker), 2004 - Danny Buderus (hooker), 2003 - Craig Gower (halfback), 2002, 1999 and 1998 - Andrew Johns (halfback), 2001 - Preston Campbell (halfback/fullback), 2000 - Trent Barrett (five-eighth), 1997 - Brad Fittler (five-eighth), 1996 - Jason Taylor (halfback), 1995 - Paul Green (halfback).
>
In fact, we have to go back to 1994 to find a winner that was not a No1, No6, No7 or No9 – and that was North Sydney Bears' prop David Fairleigh.
>
There is no question that the guys listed above are all outstanding players, and were match-winners for their teams. But as a player, I just feel that the Dally M voting process does not reward the blokes who do the real hard yards week in week out.
>
It is clear that the Dally M judges are more inclined to give the points to those flair players. The halfbacks, five-eighths and fullbacks who do most of their work in attack, who set up and score the brilliant tries, and who seem to have all the great skills.
>
My argument is, what about the blokes who lay the platform for those flair players to perform? What about the guys who literally put their bodies on the line so much in defence? What about the players that can always be relied upon to do the tough stuff for their teams?
>
The 2010 Dally M awards are on Tuesday and it should once again be a fantastic night. I just wish there was a new category rewarding the unsung heroes of the game.
>
Here is my Dally M Team of the Year for 2010:
Fullback: Darius Boyd – Outstanding all season, and one of the best kick returners in the game. His ball-playing skills have developed into something Karmichael Hunt-like.
>
Winger: Akuila Uate – An exctiment machine. Strong, fast, a great finisher and has that X-factor.
>
Centre: Jamie Lyon – A class player with all the skills, who seems to be thriving on the captaincy at Manly. Centre is his home, not five-eighth.
>
Five-eighth: Todd Carney – What a return. Consistent all season and thriving in combination with Mitchell Pearce. Played fullback for a part of the year but he played as a ball player/second receiver when he wore the No1 anyway.
>
Halfback: Scott Prince – Another one with all the skills, and his control of the team is first class. He will be the key if the Titans are to succeed in September.
>
Prop: Michael Weyman – 'Horse' has been strong all season for the Dragons and a real reason they have again won the minor premiership.
>
Hooker: Isaac Luke – On the back of a big Souths pack, Luke has taken his game to a new level. I've got great respect for him as a hooker.
>
Second row: Scott Bolton/Sam Thaiday – I can't split these two. Bolton has been a standout in a disappointing season for the Cowboys, and Thaiday has taken the second-row position to a new level. He is the benchmark.
>
Lock: Corey Parker – Has been consistently brilliant for a number of seasons. He goes above and beyond for the Broncos in every match. Should be bashing on the door for Origin selection. Special mentions also to Paul Gallen, Nate Myles and David Stagg.
http://wwos.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=7954950" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Ennis Article on ninemsn regarding the Daily M Medal, but what strikes me as funny is his "Team of the year"
Not a tiger in sight… in particlular his awful decisions for Second Rower (cough ELLIS) and Lock... (cough HEIGHNINGTON)
\
\
Granted I rate Gallen and Thiaday, but his other choices are questionable at best...
Is he another Heindmarsh/Thurston etc.. who just doesn't take the tigers seriously?
