Zero Tackle’s Dummy M Awards

Published by
Stephen Marson

Two weeks ago we had a look at our Dally M Team of the Year, but this time we turn our attention to the unwanted awards.

Not everything goes to plan for every club and player each year, and we at Zero Tackle have decided who will be the recipients of our very own Dummy M awards!

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JULY 17: Eels player Corey Norman watches on from the stand during the round 19 NRL match between the Penrith Panthers and the Parramatta Eels at Pepper Stadium on July 17, 2016 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

Worst off-field behaviour

Winner: Corey Norman (Parramatta Eels)

Norman wins this award by a landslide, after being suspended by the NRL for the final eight games of the season and fined $20,000.

The Eels halfback was suspended due to his conviction for drug possession at The Star casino and filming incidents involving apparent drug use and sexual activity among other things, and the ban added to what had been a terrible season the Parramatta club following their salary cap breaches.

It seems as though all of that was quickly forgotten by the Eels bosses, as Norman was re-signed by the Eels on a three-year deal worth $2.2 million.

Notables: James Roberts (Brisbane Broncos), Mitchell Pearce (Sydney Roosters)

WOLLONGONG, AUSTRALIA - MAY 27: New Dragons coach Paul McGregor (C) talks with Garteh Widopp (L) and Benji Marshall during a St George Illawarra Dragons NRL training session at WIN Stadium on May 27, 2014 in Wollongong, Australia. (Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)

Worst coach

Winner: Paul McGregor (St George Illawarra Dragons)

Despite being a chance to play finals football up until only last week, the Dragons haven't looked like a team that's deserved that right all season.

They've lost six of their past seven games to basically play themselves out of a finals position, and on top of all that, the decision not to let Benji Marshall play out the season is an astounding one.

The Red V have won just nine games this season and have been quite disappointing over the course of 2016, so it leaves us no choice but to give this award to McGregor.

Notables: Jason Taylor (Wests Tigers), Trent Robinson (Sydney Roosters)

SYDNEY, NEW SOUTH WALES - MARCH 28: Kieran Foran of the Eels looks on during the round four NRL match between the Wests Tigers and the Parramatta Eels at ANZ Stadium on March 28, 2016 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Matt Blyth/Getty Images)

Worst buy

Winner: Kieran Foran (Parramatta Eels)

There's no way the Eels could have known how this season was going to turn out for Kieran Foran when he joined the club, but the way its unfolded has been a worst case scenario.

After making a big money move to Parramatta, Foran made nine appearances for the Eels before suffering a season ending shoulder injury, but that wasn't even the worst part.

Foran was released by the club in July and took an indefinite leave from rugby leave after struggling to overcome personal issues.

You never like to see a player go through what he's been through, and despite everything that's happened, we hope Foran can get himself back and playing rugby league to the ability we know he can.

Notables: Matt Ballin (Wests Tigers), Issac Luke (New Zealand Warriors)

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 30: Mitchell Moses of the Wests Tigers runs the ball during the round 25 NRL match between the Wests Tigers and the New Zealand Warriors at Campbelltown Sports Stadium on August 30, 2015 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

Worst goal kicker

Winner: Mitchell Moses - 43/70 - 61% (Wests Tigers) 

The Wests Tigers five-eighth has earned this unfortunate award, as he's got the worst goal kicking % out of any first choice kicker in the league.

Moses is clear on the bottom of the ladder of this statistic, and despite conversions being only worth two points, Moses' inaccuracies may have cost the Tigers a finals berth.

Moses went 3/5 against Gold Coast in Round 23 before Jarryd Hayne kicked a field goal with just 10 seconds left, and had Moses converted all five, the Tigers would currently be in eighth position.

Notables: Corey Parker - 42/64 - 66% (Brisbane Broncos), Gareth Widdop - 47/68 - 69% (St George Illawarra Dragons) 

NEWCASTLE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 19: Jack Wighton of the Raiders prepares to pass the ball during the round three NRL match between the Newcastle Knights and the Canberra Raiders at Hunter Stadium on March 19, 2016 in Newcastle, Australia. (Photo by Tony Feder/Getty Images)

Most errors

Winner: Jack Wighton - 35 (Canberra Raiders)

Despite exciting Raiders fans with his performances across 2016, Jack Wighton still has a long way to go and has made the most errors this season with 35.

The 23-year-old has come into his own as the season has gone on, but Wighton admitted he was trying too hard early in the season, which ultimately led to most of his errors.

Wighton would also win the award for worst single error if there was one, after the fullback tried an outrageous pass in the final minute of the first half of golden point against the Dragons in Round 10 that saw Euan Aitken intercept his pass and score the winning points.

Notables: Tom Trbojevic - 29 (Manly Sea Eagles), Marika Koroibete - 29 (Melbourne Storm)

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MAY 31: James Maloney and Andrew Fifita share a laugh during the New South Wales State of Origin captain's run at ANZ Stadium on May 31, 2016 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)

Most penalties

Winner: James Maloney - 27 (Cronulla Sharks), Michael Ennis - 27 (Cronulla Sharks)

Some fans would say it's no surprise these two Sharks players lead the league for most penalties conceded, but given Cronulla's ladder position, they probably don't care.

Maloney and Ennis are running at a minimum of one penalty each a game, but it seems to be doing the trick as the Sharks sit in second spot with just two games to go.

Notables: Ryan James - 25 (Gold Coast Titans)

Published by
Stephen Marson