Dally M Medal predictions: Parramatta Eels woes laid bare by brutal voting snub
Dally M Medal predictions
Rugby league's night of nights has finally arrived for the 2024 season, with the Dally M Medal ceremony set to take place on Wednesday night.
While there are two clear favourites for the top men's gong, there will be plenty of other prizes up for grabs. Pictured in this slide is the 2023 men's and women's winners, Kalyn Ponga and Tamika Upton.
We've cast our eye over all 17 clubs and examined who is likely to poll the most votes, as well as delving into some of the positional awards.
Check out our club-by-club predictions.
Brisbane Broncos
There wasn't a lot to cheer about for Broncos fans this year and that will likely be reflected in the Dally M voting.
Patrick Carrigan and Kotoni Staggs were both nominated for positional awards, so expect to see them finish with the most points for Brisbane in 2024.
Before it all went behind closed doors, Carrigan was on 21 votes, while five-eighth Ezra Mam sat on 15.
Adam Reynolds (14) and Reece Walsh (13) both battled with injury, while outside back Selwyn Cobbo (13) lost form in the back-half of the season.
Canberra Raiders
Canberra's season was a bit of a rollercoaster, but there were a handful of players who managed to stand out.
Young playmaker Ethan Strange has been nominated for Dally M Rookie of the Year and was sitting on 11 votes when it went behind closed doors.
Hudson Young has also been short-listed in the back-row and had another solid season for the Green Machine, but had just seven votes in the first 12 weeks.
After a strong start to the year, Jamal Fogarty (10) missed plenty of footy due to injury and won't be in the running.
Joseph Tapine has been nominated for Front-Rower of the Year.
Canterbury Bulldogs
The real surprise packets of the NRL this year could enjoy some success on Dally M Medal night.
Stephen Crichton is a red-hot chance of being named Centre of the Year and was instrumental in Canterbury's success.
Five-eighth Matt Burton and back-rower Viliame Kikau were also shortlisted for positional awards.
Kikau had polled 23 votes when it went silent, while Burton (16) and Reed Mahoney (11) were also on double-digits.
Jacob Kiraz has also been nominated for Winger of the Year.
Cronulla Sharks
Plenty has been made of the way Nicho Hynes ended the season, but the halfback had polled 30 votes and was in second spot when voting went behind closed doors.
His form took a hit after a poor State of Origin display, which could see Blayke Brailey end up higher than Hynes after earning Hooker of the Year nomination.
The crafty hooker was on 10 votes after the first three months of the season.
Cameron McInnes (11) and Daniel Atkinson (9) also started the year well.
Young centre Kayal Iro has been nominated for Rookie of the Year.
Dolphins
There were plenty of standout performers this year for the Dolphins and that has been reflected in the Dally M nominations.
Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Herbie Farnworth were both shortlisted for their positional awards and are expected to poll highly in the final count.
The fullback had scored 17 votes from the first 12 rounds, while the English superstar was well behind with just seven.
Young playmaker Isaiya Katoa had 21 votes early in the year but faded away late.
Dummy-half Jeremy Marshall-King (9) was in strong form before suffering a foot injury mid-way through the year.
Jack Bostock has been nominated for Rookie of the Year.
Gold Coast Titans
It was another difficult year for the Titans, but there were a few shining lights.
Alofi Khan-Pereira finished with the most tries in the NRL and was nominated for Winger of the Year.
Elsewhere, utility AJ Brimson had 16 votes from the first portion of the season, while playmaker Kieran Foran was on 12.
Manly Sea Eagles
The ageless presence of Daly Cherry-Evans lifted Manly into the semi finals, earning a nomination for Halfback of the Year in the process.
When voting went behind closed doors, Cherry-Evans was on 27 points and sat in third spot on the overall leaderboard.
Tom Trbojevic won the club's player of the year and had 21 votes before it went silent.
Five-eighth Luke Brooks enjoyed a good first season at Manly, but he had only scored eight votes when it went behind closed doors after round 12.
Melbourne Storm
Unless you've been living under a rock, you'd already know that Jahrome Hughes is the overwhelming favourite to to take out the Dally M Medal this year.
The halfback has been incredible for the Storm this season and despite the fact he had only polled 16 votes when it went silent, Hughes looks set to claim the prize.
Harry Grant was just one vote behind Hughes at that time and has been nominated for Hooker of the Year honours, while Ryan Papenhuyzen was also on 16 but was sidelined for a substantial stretch after voting went behind closed doors.
Back-rower Eliesa Katoa and winger Will Warbrick have also been shortlisted for their respective positional awards.
Newcastle Knights
Kalyn Ponga is the logical choice to finish with most votes for the Knights this year and according to Paul Gallen, the fullback might make a shock run for the Dally M Medal for a second-straight season.
"I wouldn't be surprised if Kalyn Ponga came home (strong)," he told Wide World of Sports.
"Every time Newcastle win a game he gets six points, that's the way it is. When it went behind closed doors he was on about 17 points, the leader was on about 30.
"Newcastle had a bit of a run at the back end of the year, he gets six points. If he was to come home and win it again ... it wouldn't surprise me."
Given he wasn't nominated for Fullback of the Year, Ponga isn't any chance of actually defending his crown, but he should poll higher than his teammates and already had 17 points when it went silent.
David Armstrong (16) and Dane Gagai (11) had also hit double-digits for votes early in the season.
