Every Dally M winner since 2000: Link ties Ponga, Hughes together to embarrass one club
Updated . First published
Dally M dominators
The Dally M Medal is the most prestigious individual prize in the NRL and has been the crowning glory of some of the best ever seasons by rugby league greats.
The award since 2000 marks a clear period of dominance for Queensland's dynasty superstars, with Cooper Cronk, Johnathan Thurston, Cameron Smith and Billy Slater all featuring prominently on the NRL's night of nights.
Wide World of Sports looks back on every winner since 2000, with some remarkable redemption stories and stunning falls from grace.
2000: Trent Barrett
St George Illawarra Dragons playmaker Trent Barrett poses with the 2000 Dall M medal.
Barrrett was also named as the Dragons Player of the Year in the same season.
2001: Preston Campbell
Preston Campbell poses with the 2001 Dally M Medal.
Campbell defeated Andrew Johns by one point to claim the award.
2002: Andrew Johns
Andrew Johns is congratulated by Prime Minster John Howard after winning the 2002 Dally M Medal, with 34 points.
The award was Johns' third, with the superstar beating another halfback, Brent Sherwin for the award. Sherwin polled 26 points.
2003: No Dally M awarded due to industrial action
Craig Gower had one shot at the Dally M medal and in 2003 it was believed he was the favourite.
However, due to industrial action from the RLPA, Gower wasn't awarded it.
The Penrith legend revealed his frustrations over the snub last year on SEN calling it "a load of shit" that the NRL couldn't confirm he'd won.
2004: Danny Buderus
Danny Buderus poses with the 2004 Dally M Medal, winning the count with 27 points. Brett Finch was second with 25.
Buderus was only the second hooker to be given the honour.
2005: Johnathan Thurston
Johnathan Thurston poses with his first Dally M medal in 2005 after tallying 32 points to beat rival halfback Andrew Johns, who tallied 31.
In his first year at the Cowboys, Thurston claimed the award and took the side to a grand final, which they would lose to the Wests Tigers.
2006: Cameron Smith
A fresh faced Cameron Smith won the Dally M medal in 2006, tallying 34 points. Nathan Hindmarsh was second, with 30 points.
Smith played in the grand final for the Storm that weekend but fell short against Brisbane.
2007: Johnathan Thurston
Johnathan Thurston poses with the 2007 Dally M Medal, his second honour, amassing 36 points to beat Robbie Farah in a thriller. Wests Tigers hooker Farah tallied 35 votes.
It was a big year for Thurston, with the Dally M nod coming in the same season that he was appointed captain of the Cowboys.
2008: Matt Orford
In 2008 Matt Orford won the Dally M medal, polling 24 votes, as well as the premiership with Manly.
He finished ahead in the count of Storm duo Cameron Smith and Billy Slater, who both tallied 22 points, then defeated Melbourne 40-0 in the grand final, which Smith controversially took no part in due to a suspension for a grapple tackle.
Despite the honour, Orford never represented NSW in State of Origin or Australia.
