The 'ridiculous' moment that had Jahrome Hughes on 'wobbly legs' in Dally M race
Jahrome Hughes took out the NRL's most coveted individual prize on Wednesday - but the halfback's crowning moment could have been spoiled in controversial fashion.
In a tight race for the Dally M Medal, Hughes finished one vote higher than James Tedesco, claiming the top gong at rugby league's night of nights in Sydney.
Hughes held off the fast-finishing Roosters champion, with his starring role in Melbourne's round 27 win over the Broncos getting him over the line.
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Speaking to Nine's Today the morning after the event, Hughes admitted he was on "wobbly legs" when Tedesco was inching closer towards his second career Dally M.
NRL Dally M Medallist Jahrome Hughes of the Melbourne Storm. Mark Metcalfe via Getty Images
"To be honest, my heart was pumping at the back end," the 29-year-old said.
"I went into the night not expecting too much, but once it started getting really close I started getting wobbly legs ... it was quite weird actually."
While it made for an exciting piece of television, the truth is Hughes should have been well clear of his rivals, but a bizarre suspension cost him at least six points.
All the way back in round two, Hughes was charged with contrary conduct after accidentally bumping into referee Chris Butler.
Jahrome Hughes and referee Chris Butler come into contact. Fox League
The playmaker was docked six points as a result and missed one game through suspension, which robbed him any chance of picking up votes in round three.
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Hughes received plenty of support at the time, with Andrew Johns admitting he was "hard done by" and Paul Gallen taking it a step further, labelling the ban as "ridiculous".
At the time, Melbourne opted not to dispute the match review committee's decision and it almost cost the Kiwi star a shot at individual glory.
The drama for Hughes wasn't the only judiciary result that impacted the Dally Ms, with young gun Lachlan Galvin ruled ineligible for Rookie of the Year due to a suspension.
The teenager copped a two-week ban for a hip-drop tackle early in the season, leaving Phil Gould up in arms over the NRL's decision.
"He's 18, he wouldn't know what a hip drop was. He'd think it's a rock and roll song, he'd think it's hip hop," he said on Nine's 100% Footy.
"He's the best rookie in the competition. It's going to be a tragedy for our game that when he ends up one of the greatest players of all time that they didn't have him down as the rookie of the year in his rookie year."
