The Mole: 'Tragic' injury blow opens door for Tom Dearden to win Dally M Medal

Could in-form halfback Tom Dearden become only the third Cowboys player to win the coveted Dally M Medal in 2025?

When voting went behind closed doors after round 12, Dearden had a fair bit of ground to make up, sitting on 19 points and well behind the leader, Luke Metcalf.

But since then, Dearden has gone on a golden run and been the dominant playmaker in the NRL, while tragically for Metcalf, he suffered a season-ending knee injury.

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If the judges have any idea, Dearden would have picked up maximum points on Friday night when the Cowboys downed the Dragons in a high-scoring shootout.

Dearden was the difference between the teams, scoring two tries and creating another.

He only needs to continue his current form and there's every chance he will put his name alongside club legends Johnathan Thurston, who won the Dally M Medal an incredible four times, and Jason Taumalolo.

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After 12 rounds, the Dally M leaderboard was as followed:

1. Luke Metcalf (Warriors) - 31 votes

2. Will Kennedy (Sharks) - 29 votes

3. James Tedesco (Roosters) - 28 votes

4. Terrell May (Tigers) - 27 votes

5. Payne Haas (Broncos) and Isaiya Katoa (Dolphins) - 23 votes

7. Clint Gutherson (Dragons) - 22 points

8. Cameron Munster (Storm) - 21 votes

9. Jye Gray (Rabbitohs) and Ryan Papenhuyzen (Storm) - 20 votes

11. Tom Dearden (Cowboys) - 19 votes

12. Connor Tracey (Bulldogs) - 18 votes