2017 Dally M Predictions

It’s that time of the year again. The weather’s hot, the sky’s clear, and it’s just a couple of days before some lucky Queenslander walks up onto a podium to hoist the NRL Premiership Trophy above his head. But before we can get into the grand final fever, we first need to establish a few accolades at the annual Dally M’s. Here’s who’s going to win, and why. Holden Cup Player of the Year https://twitter.com/Cronulla_Sharks/status/899905228602044416 Kyle Flanagan Son of Cronulla head coach Shane Flanagan, the young halfback has been instrumental in leading the young Sharks team to the Holden Cup minor premiership, notching 20 tries, 12 try assists and 15 line breaks. As rumours continue to circulate about the future of James Maloney at the club, Cronulla has a ready-made replacement already running around in their junior ranks. Peter Frilingos Memorial Award [caption id="attachment_29340" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 09: Cameron Smith of the Storm is chaired off in game 356 during the NRL Qualifying Final match between the Melbourne Storm and the Parramatta Eels at AAMI Park on September 9, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)[/caption] Cameron Smith’s 356th game The award presented for the year’s ‘headline moment’, no one has stolen the back page of the papers more than Cameron Smith in recent months. The veteran hooker has gone from strength to strength as he smashes records. Smith played his 350th NRL game, his 42nd Origin match, kicked his 1000th goal and scored his 2000th career point all in a season. But running out for his 356th NRL game surely takes the cake. It sees Smith overtake Darren Lockyer as the game’s most capped player in its 110-year history, and it appears nothing can stop Smith’s Storm this year. Rookie of the Year [caption id="attachment_28917" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] GOLD COAST, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 08: Nick Cotric of the Raiders scores a try during the round six NRL match between the Gold Coast Titans and the Canberra Raiders at Cbus Super Stadium on April 8, 2017 in Gold Coast, Australia. (Photo by Jason O'Brien/Getty Images)[/caption] Nick Cotric A hotly contested field this year, Cotric has shone in an inconsistent Canberra side in 2017. Scoring 16 tries in 24 games, Cotric has scored some stunning four-pointers following the departure of Edrick Lee to Cronulla. Brock Lamb and Jayden Brailey have put their hands up in their own right, but when it comes to doing your job in your position, Cotric is a future superstar. Coach of the Year [caption id="attachment_23165" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JULY 01: Parramatta Eels NRL coach Brad Arthur speaks to the media during a press conference at the Eels Training Centre on July 1, 2016 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)[/caption] Brad Arthur There are some good coaches in the NRL. A lot of them. Craig Bellamy has managed to keep his side contenders for over a decade (despite some controversy). Arthur has taken a team of relative unknowns; the likes of Clinton Gutherson, Will Smith, Siosaia Vave, Suaia Matagi and Nathan Brown have taken charge in 2017 to lead Parramatta to their first finals series in eight years. Female Player of the Year [caption id="attachment_29401" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA - MAY 05: Ruan Sims of the Jillaroos poses with the trophy after victory during the women's ANZAC Test match between the Australian Jillaroos and the New Zealand Kiwi Ferns at GIO Stadium on May 5, 2017 in Canberra, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)[/caption] Ruan Sims The elder sibling of representative trio Korbin, Ashton and Tariq, Ruan Sims hits just as hard as anyone in the family. Sims is the incumbent captain of the Jillaroos and the NSW Blues, and one of female rugby league’s hardest hitters. Sims will follow up from fellow Aussie Kezzie Apps, the 2016 award winner, and snag this one. Fullback of the Year [caption id="attachment_28571" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] TOWNSVILLE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 04: Billy Slater of the Storm looks on during the round 22 NRL match between the North Queensland Cowboys and the Melbourne Storm at 1300SMILES Stadium on August 4, 2017 in Townsville, Australia. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)[/caption] Billy Slater Who honestly saw this one coming at the start of the year? Slater not only made a successful return to rugby league but shone above and beyond the other custodians in the competition. After a heavy Game I defeat, Kevvie Walters recalled Slater to the Maroons team as assisted Queensland to a 2-1 series victory. With 10 tries and 16 assists in his 20 games this year, Billy Slater is back. Winger of the Year [caption id="attachment_28697" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 08: Suliasi Vunivalu of the Storm runs with the ball during the round 18 NRL match between the Melbourne Storm and the Parramatta Eels at AAMI Park on July 8, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images)[/caption] Suliasi Vunivalu The NRL's top try scorer for the second year running, Vunivalu continues to amaze spectators, despite the fact he was a rugby league unknown 12 months ago. Touching down 23 times this year, Vunivalu's main competition for the award, Semi Radradra, has already jetted out of the country for a stint in rugby union. This award is Vunivalu's for years to come. Centre of the Year [caption id="attachment_26265" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 03: Will Chambers of the Storm looks dejected as he is given ten minutes in the sin bin for fighting during the round one NRL match between the Canterbury Bulldogs and the Melbourne Storm at Belmore Sports Ground on March 3, 2017 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)[/caption] Will Chambers Life gets a little easier when you're playing inside Vunivalu and on the outside of Cooper Cronk, but Maroons centre Will Chambers has shown up consistently throughout this season, putting Vunivalu through for a stack of tries while notching a few of his own. The drop-off in form from Canberra duo Joey Leilua and Jarrod Croker certainly helps Chamber's chances. Five-Eighth of the Year [caption id="attachment_26353" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 23: Luke Keary of the Roosters passes during the round four NRL match between the South Sydney Rabbitohs and the Sydney Roosters at ANZ Stadium on March 23, 2017 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)[/caption] Luke Keary What was South Sydney thinking? Luke Keary has slotted straight into the tricolours jersey and never looked back, crossing for 8 tries, assisting 16 of them and breaking the line 14 times. Keary's combination with Pearce was stellar from the get-go, and it's scary to think what he could do when he's got the likes of James Tedesco running around him. Halfback of the Year [caption id="attachment_26224" align="aligncenter" width="2520"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - FEBRUARY 27: Cooper Cronk stretches during the Melbourne Storm NRL training session at Gosch's Paddock on February 27, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Robert Prezioso/Getty Images)[/caption] Cooper Cronk This is a tough call, believe it or not. The reemergence of Daly Cherry-Evans could easily see the Manly captain snatch the award, but Cronk is one of the most consistent players in the competition, and someone Melbourne will truly miss in 2018. With a big chance of Cronk retiring after Sunday's grand final, this may be one of the last accolades Cronk ever receives. Regardless, the Maroons mastermind is a more than deserved winner of the award, a true champion of the game. Hooker of the Year [caption id="attachment_28395" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA - JULY 22: Cameron Smith of the Storm kicks ahead during the round 20 NRL match between the Canberra Raiders and the Melbourne Storm at GIO Stadium on July 22, 2017 in Canberra, Australia. (Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)[/caption] Cameron Smith There's no question about this one. Cameron Smith, along with Thurston, is the best player in the game. Full stop. The most capped player in rugby league history, no player has more control over a game of football than Smith. There's no surprise he has such a high winning percentage in any team he runs out for. An immortal in waiting. Prop of the Year [caption id="attachment_28397" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] WOLLONGONG, AUSTRALIA - JULY 23: Paul Vaughan of the Dragons looks to pass during the round 20 NRL match between the St George Illawarra Dragons and the Manly Sea Eagles at WIN Stadium on July 23, 2017 in Wollongong, Australia. (Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)[/caption] Paul Vaughan One of the buys of the year. Vaughan was discarded by the Raiders, only to be thrust into the Dragon's starting line-up, a place where he'd come a whisker away from a State of Origin debut. Vaughan dotted down for 8 tries in 2017, a stunning number for a prop, and he'll be aided by incoming veteran James Graham to strengthen St George's go forward next season. Second Rower of the Year [caption id="attachment_29096" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 20: Matt Gillett of the Broncos looks to pass during the round 20 NRL match between the Brisbane Broncos and the Canterbury Bulldogs at Suncorp Stadium on July 20, 2017 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)[/caption] Matt Gillett While Matt Gillett and Boyd Cordner are locked in an intense battle for the best second rower in the game, this season proved the young guns are hot on their tails. Angus Crichton was South Sydney's shining star this year, while Coen Hess shot up the ranks to make his Origin debut. None the less, Gillett is an absolute weapon on the right edge, with his one-on-one defence one of his biggest assets. Lock of the Year [caption id="attachment_25989" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] TOWNSVILLE, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 27: Jason Taumalolo of the Cowboys smiles after scoring a try during the round 16 NRL match between the North Queensland Cowboys and the Manly Sea Eagles at 1300SMILES Stadium on June 27, 2016 in Townsville, Australia. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)[/caption] Jason Taumalolo One of the most hotly contested fields, there are at least three other great locks that went close to this one. Paul Gallen is in career best form, Sam Burgess is one of the game's greatest forwards and Nathan Brown has shot out of nowhere to become the cornerstone of Parramatta's pack. But the impact Taumalolo has on a match is second to none, and have you seen him this Final's series? Breathtaking. One man you wouldn't want to run at. Top Tryscorer [caption id="attachment_29019" align="aligncenter" width="4000"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 02: Suliasi Vunivalu of the Storm scores a try during the round 13 NRL match between the Melbourne Storm and the Newcastle Knights at AAMI Park on June 2, 2017 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images)[/caption] Suliasi Vunivalu Vunivalu scraped past the injured Alex Johnston in the final round of the season to notch his 23rd meat pie for the year and pick up the award for the second time in his first two years in the NRL. Best Rep [caption id="attachment_28309" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 12: Dane Gagai of the Maroons is presented with the Wally Lewis Medal for player of the series by former Queensland Origin player Wally Lewis after game three of the State Of Origin series between the Queensland Maroons and the New South Wales Blues at Suncorp Stadium on July 12, 2017 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)[/caption] Dane Gagai To hand this award to a winger is a big call, but Dane Gagai, specifically in Game II of State of Origin, announced himself as a Maroons mainstay. Gagai broke a number of tackles, scored 2 tries and proved an absolute asset coming out of enemy territory. If he were to show the form he shows in Origin for his club side, he'd be one of the best centres in the game Captain [caption id="attachment_24040" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 26: Cameron Smith of the Storm poses during a Melbourne Storm NRL media opportunity at AAMI Park on September 26, 2016 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)[/caption] Cam Smith Experienced. Nifty. Calm. Collected. Winner. Just a few terms that deserve Cameron Smith, and describe an ideal captain. Smith has been there, done that, and knows how to win. He's rallied his troop's hundreds of times, but for his side to finish six points clear on the ladder, Smith's inspirational status has a big part. Proven Summons [caption id="attachment_29400" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] TOWNSVILLE, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 25: Jason Taumalolo of the Cowboys poses during a North Queensland Cowboys NRL media opportunity at Cowboys HQ on September 25, 2017 in Townsville, Australia. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)[/caption] Jason Taumalolo A supporter voted award, Taumalolo has matured a lot from his egg-throwing saga of late last year. Following the departure of Ben Hannant and James Tamou, the hulking lock has made over 200 metres countless times, averaging over 250 metres per game this finals series. There's a lot of fan favourites nominated, but you can't look past the game's best forward. Dally M Medal [caption id="attachment_28805" align="aligncenter" width="1024"] TOWNSVILLE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 04: Cameron Smith of the Storm looks on during the round 22 NRL match between the North Queensland Cowboys and the Melbourne Storm at 1300SMILES Stadium on August 4, 2017 in Townsville, Australia. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)[/caption] Cameron Smith This surely won't be a shock. Smith has been a head and shoulders above the rest of the players in the completion this year, toying with them as he single-handedly closes out games. Cherry-Evans will be closer than most might think, but there's a reason Smith is the shortest price favourite in years. His name will be etched in rugby league history for eternity, and this Dally M is just another accolade for the trophy wall.