Dally M Team of the Year

Published by
Stephen Marson

Each year on the Monday before the grand final, the who's who of the NRL gather together for the prestigious Dally M Awards.

The night is a celebration of the season that was, with the Dally M medal given to the best player of the season the highlight of the night.

Another big set of awards given on the night are the Team of the Year awards, as players are awarded for being the best player in their position.

With eighth positions available in the team, we have a look at all the possible candidates and select our Team of the Year. Plus we also pick who we think will be the Coach of the Year!

Fullback | Winger | Centre | Five-Eighth | Halfback | Lock | Second-Rower | PropHooker

PLUS: Coach

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JULY 02: James Tedesco of the Tigers watches on during the round 17 NRL match between the Wests Tigers and the Penrith Panthers at ANZ Stadium on July 2, 2016 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images)

Fullback: James Tedesco (Wests Tigers)

James Tedesco's season has been a very impressive one, as the fullback finally earnt his maiden Blues jersey in Game 3 of this year's State of Origin series.

The 23-year-old made a lightning start to the season, scoring two doubles and a hat-trick inside the opening five rounds.

After a lull over the Origin period, he's found his try scoring touch once again, scoring in the past three games to move his season tally to 14, just three tries short of Suliasi Vunivalu, who leads the league with 17.

The fullback is in the top 20 for try assists and line breaks, and will be a key member of Wests' push for a finals berth over the next four rounds.

Honourable mentions: Ben Barba (Sharks), Darius Boyd (Broncos), Jack Wighton (Raiders), Cameron Munster (Storm)

Fullback | Winger | Centre | Five-Eighth | Halfback | Lock | Second-Rower | PropHooker

PLUS: Coach

AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND - AUGUST 01: Valentine Holmes of the Sharks reacts during the round 21 NRL match between the New Zealand Warriors and the Cronulla Sharks at Mt Smart Stadium on August 1, 2015 in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Anthony Au-Yeung/Getty Images)

Winger: Valentine Holmes (Cronulla Sharks)

In a season that has season Cronulla break all kinds of club records, Valentine Holmes has been a crucial part of their success.

The Sharks' attack has been a highlight of their recent 15 match win streak, and Holmes was usually on the end of the attacking plays, and has displayed impressive try scoring ability time and time again.

Holmes has scored 16 tries this season, the second most out of any player in the league, and the 21-year-old's brilliant season on the wing should see him earn this Team of the Year jersey.

Honourable mentions: Josh Mansour (Panthers), Jordan Rapana (Raiders), Corey Oates (Broncos) Suliasi Vunivalu (Storm)

Fullback | Winger | Centre | Five-Eighth | Halfback | Lock | Second-Rower | PropHooker

PLUS: Coach

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JULY 31: Jarrod Croker of the Raiders dives to score a try during the round 21 NRL match between the South Sydney Rabbitohs and the Canberra Raiders at ANZ Stadium on July 31, 2016 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)

Centre: Jarrod Croker (Canberra Raiders)

Now the highest points scorer in Raiders history, Jarrod Croker's season has been a massive one for the Canberra club.

The 25-year-old captain has scored 15 tries and has over 60 more points than anyone else in the league this season.

Croker has played a big part in Canberra's current six game win streak, and will be looking to lead his team into the finals series with a hope of a grand final berth.

Honourable mentions: Jack Bird (Sharks), Solomone Kata (Warriors)

Fullback | Winger | Centre | Five-Eighth | Halfback | Lock | Second-Rower | PropHooker

PLUS: Coach

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 13: James Maloney of the Sharks gives his team instructions during the round two NRL match between the Cronulla Sharks and the St George Illawarra Dragons at Shark Park on March 13, 2016 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

Five-Eighth: James Maloney (Cronulla Sharks)

James Moloney has been ever present throughout Cronulla's already history season, and has been another major reason as to why the Sharks sit where they currently do on the table.

While the 30-year-old only has five tries and six try assists to his name, it's been Maloney's leadership and guidance out on the field that has been one of his greatest assets all season.

Maloney and his halves partner in Chad Townsend have been dominant all season, and Maloney will be looking to continue his hot form into the finals.

Honourable mentions: Blake Austin (Raiders), Anthony Milford (Broncos), Mitchell Moses (Tigers), Michael Morgan (Cowboys)

Fullback | Winger | Centre | Five-Eighth | Halfback | Lock | Second-Rower | PropHooker

PLUS: Coach

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JUNE 04: Cooper Cronk of the Storm thanks fans after a win during the round 13 NRL match between the Melbourne Storm and the Penrith Panthers at AAMI Park on June 4, 2016 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Robert Prezioso/Getty Images)

Halfback: Cooper Cronk (Melbourne Storm)

After inking a deal to stay in Melbourne until the end of the 2018 season, Cooper Cronk this season has shown exactly why he was so sought after.

The 32-year-old has broken the 10 try barrier for the first time in his career, and has also amassed 17 try assists, which sees the Queensland halfback sit third in the league in that category.

Cronk's ability to run the show both offensively and defensively has been a joy to watch this season, which is why he's one of the favourites for the Dally M Medal.

Honourable mentions: Johnathan Thurston (Cowboys), Shaun Johnson (Warriors), Ben Hunt (Broncos), Moses Mbye (Bulldogs)

Fullback | Winger | Centre | Five-Eighth | Halfback | Lock | Second-Rower | PropHooker

PLUS: Coach

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)

Lock: Jason Taumalolo (North Queensland Cowboys)

After last season's Team of the Year nod for the same award, Jason Taumalolo is the only player we've predicted to go back-to-back on awards night.

The Cowboys big man has made a massive influence on their season so far, with the 23-year-old playing in all but two games.

Taumalolo is in the top five of the league for hit ups and running metres, and will be a big factor in how far North Queensland go in September.

Honourable mentions: Paul Gallen (Sharks), Trent Merrin (Panthers), Sam Burguess (Rabbitohs), Dale Finucane (Storm)

Fullback | Winger | Centre | Five-Eighth | Halfback | Lock | Second-Rower | PropHooker

PLUS: Coach

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 10: Wade Graham of the Sharks makes a break during the round six NRL match between the Cronulla Sharks and the Gold Coast Titans at Southern Cross Group Stadium on April 10, 2016 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

Second-Rower: Wade Graham (Cronulla Sharks)

The 25-year-old season's was highlighted by his State of Origin debut for New South Wales in Origin 3, and Wade Graham has been another Shark that has impressed this campaign.

He's run the third most metres of any Shark this year and also has the third most tackles in the team.

Graham's play on the left edge has drawn widespread praise throughout the season, with the second-rower our favourite to take out this spot in the Team of the Year.

Honourable mentions: Matt Gillett (Broncos), Josh Jackson (Bulldogs), Boyd Cordner (Roosters)

Fullback | Winger | Centre | Five-Eighth | Halfback | Lock | Second-Rower | PropHooker

PLUS: Coach

NEWCASTLE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 06: James Graham of the Bulldogs leads his team out onto the ground during the round 22 NRL match between the Newcastle Knights and the Canterbury Bulldogs at Hunter Stadium on August 6, 2016 in Newcastle, Australia. (Photo by Tony Feder/Getty Images)

Prop: James Graham (Canterbury Bulldogs)

It's been another impressive season for one of the most damaging big men in the game, as James Graham has been at the forefront of Canterbury's success.

Leading the league in hit ups, run metres and total runs, Graham's willingness to get his side down the field is undeniable.

In one of the more competitive positions in this team, Graham gets our nod for Best Prop.

Honourable mentions: Jesse Bromwich (Storm), Andrew Fifita (Sharks), Jacob Lillyman (Warriors), Matt Scott (Cowboys)

Fullback | Winger | Centre | Five-Eighth | Halfback | Lock | Second-Rower | PropHooker

PLUS: Coach

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MAY 23: Cameron Smith of the Storm uns the ball during the round 11 NRL match between the Parramatta Eels and the Melbourne Storm at Pirtek Stadium on May 23, 2016 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

Hooker: Cameron Smith (Melbourne Storm)

As well as Cameron Smith being our pick for Best Hooker, he may well just be the best player in the NRL too.

The Storm, Maroons and Kangaroos captain has been his usual brilliant self this season, and is once again one of the players favoured to take out the Dally M Medal.

13 try assists along with the fourth most tackles of any player in the game showcases Smith's ability to influence the game on both sides of the field, as Smith looks to lead his Storm side into yet another deep finals run.

Honourable mentions: Michael Ennis (Sharks), Josh Hodgson (Raiders), Jake Friend (Roosters)

Fullback | Winger | Centre | Five-Eighth | Halfback | Lock | Second-Rower | PropHooker

PLUS: Coach

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 08: Raiders coach Ricky Stuart speaks to the media after the round one NRL match between the Cronulla Sharks and the Canberra Raiders at Remondis Stadium on March 8, 2015 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Renee McKay/Getty Images)

Coach of the Year: Ricky Stuart (Canberra Raiders)

In one of the closes four-horse races this award has ever seen, Ricky Stuart just gets our vote as the coach of the season.

The Raiders were expected to feature in the finals by experts this season but only just, however the Raiders are arguably the most in-form team in the competition as we enter Round 23.

Despite Cronulla winning 15 in a row, their undefeated streak was broken by the Raiders, who currently have a six-game win streak of their own, as they gear up to host the Storm in a blockbuster clash on Monday night.

Canberra have the most potent attack in the league and have scored 26 points or more in all six wins, and at this stage of the competition would have to be one of if not the danger team come the finals.

Honourable mentions: Shane Flanagan (Sharks), Craig Bellamy (Storm), Neil Henry (Titans)

Fullback | Winger | Centre | Five-Eighth | Halfback | Lock | Second-Rower | PropHooker

PLUS: Coach

Published by
Stephen Marson