There are several contenders for the 2022 Dally M Medal, with a first-time winner expected to etch their name into the history books on Wednesday night.
Dragons star Ben Hunt is favourite to join the likes of Cameron Smith, Johnathan Thurston and Andrew Johns in claiming the NRL’s highest individual honour
Voting went behind closed doors after Round 12 and Hunt sat top of the pile on 19 points.
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Panthers lock Isaah Yeo was hot on his tail with 17 points and Sharks marquee recruit Nicho Hynes was third on 16 points.
Mitch Moses and Ryan Papenhuyzen sat on 15, but the Storm fullback suffered a gruesome kneecap break to rule him out of the race.
Foxsports.com.au breaks down the leaders after Round 12 and the contenders to take out each position.
DALLY M TEAM OF THE YEAR STATE OF PLAY
FULLBACK
Leader after Round 12: Ryan Papenhuyzen (15)
In the mix: Dylan Edwards (13), James Tedesco (14), Scott Drinkwater (8)
Storm fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen started the year in red-hot form and by Round 12 was right in the race to win the Dally M Medal.
After overcoming hamstring and knee injuries, Papenhuyzen suffered a shattered kneecap which ruled him out for the year and ended his Dally M hopes.
Scott Drinkwater’s rise this season was nothing short of spectacular and the Cowboys gun had a dazzling stretch of form late in the year, sparked by a masterclass against the Broncos in Round 16.
The Cowboys gun would have polled strongly, but will likely sit behind the two frontrunners — Dylan Edwards and James Tedesco.
Tedesco enjoyed a stellar back-end of the season and would have a strong chance of recording votes almost every week during the Tricolours eight-game winning streak.
However, Panthers gun Dylan Edwards is the man tipped to win Fullback of the Year, and he’s considered an outside chance to take out the top gong.
“I looked up the Dally M leaderboard when it closed and he was running eighth, in equal eighth with Daly Cherry-Evans and he was only six points behind Ben Hunt,” Phil Rothfield said on the Big Sports Breakfast.
“I think he might be a bolter’s chance to actually win the award.”
Verdict: Dylan Edwards
WING
Leader after Round 12: Selwyn Cobbo (6)
In the mix: Kyle Feldt (2), Taylan May (2), Jordan Rapana (2), Murray Taulagi (1), Ronaldo Mulitalo (1), Joseph Suaalii (1), Alex Johnston (none), Corey Oates (none), Daniel Tupou (none), Dominic Young (none)
Broncos young gun Selwyn Cobbo was a revelation for Kevin Walters’ side early in the season, but fell off late in the year.
The 20-year-old also missed six games due to Origin commitments and fatigue, which will likely see other stars pip him at the post.
Joseph Suaalii is one player who delivered a consistent and impressive season for the Roosters, with the 19-year-old scoring six tries in the Roosters’ late-season surge.
Meanwhile, Rabbitohs flyer Alex Johnston couldn’t stop scoring tries — and continually broke records.
Johnston became the first player in NRL history to record back-to-back 30 try seasons, showing off his blistering pace time and again.
Broncos veteran Corey Oates also returned to his consistent ways and finished second on the try-scoring leaderboard.
Ronaldo Mulitalo (Sharks), Daniel Tupou (Roosters), Dom Young (Knights)and Murray Taulagi (Cowboys)all performed consistently throughout to make the wing spot one of the hardest positions to tip for team of the year.
Verdict: Joseph Suaalii and Alex Johnston
CENTRE
Leader after Round 12: Siosifa Talakai (9)
In the mix: Joseph Manu (7), Valentine Holmes (5), Campbell Graham (4), Jesse Ramien (3)
Sharks bowling ball Siosifa Talakai took the competition by storm with a near-perfect performance against Manly in Round 7.
Talakai scored two tries and recorded three try assists, but after Round 12 only scored two more tries and recorded a singular try assist.
Meanwhile, two superstars showed their class — Valentine Holmes (Cowboys) and Joey Manu (Roosters) delivering week in, week out for their sides.
Holmes finished the season as the competition’s highest point scorer, while Manu led the tackle breaks and sat 15th for line breaks.
It was an impressive season from Manu as he took up a new role as a floating attacking threat.
Verdict: Joseph Manu and Valentine Holmes
FIVE-EIGHTH
Leader after Round 12: Cameron Munster (12)
In the mix: Sam Walker (11), Cody Walker (8), Dylan Brown (8), Jarome Luai (5)
Storm superstar Cameron Munster led the way after Round 12 — and he didn’t stop there.
Munster was arguably one of the best players in the competition this season and enjoyed an impressive back-end of 2022, switching to fullback in attack.
Bellamy’s move proved a masterstroke, capped off by a hat-trick against the Titans and a strong performance against the Broncos in a 60-12 rout.
Sam Walker was strong throughout the season but his votes would likely be taken away by other Roosters teammates having strong games.
Souths gun Cody Walker also enjoyed an improved end of the year after a slow start but didn’t do enough to catch his Melbourne rival.
Eels playmaker Dylan Brown had a career-best season, but with a stacked team would only be a chance of earning three votes against the Bulldogs in Round 23.
Verdict: Cameron Munster
HALFBACK
Leader after Round 12: Ben Hunt (19)
In the mix: Nicho Hynes (16), Mitch Moses (15), Daly Cherry-Evans (13), Chad Townsend (8)
The winner of this position is expected to claim the Dally M Medal and the two men fighting it out are Ben Hunt (Dragons) and Nicho Hynes (Sharks).
Hunt enjoyed a stellar season for the Red V and was equally impressive for the Maroons playing at hooker.
While he spent two games sidelined in the Origin period, Hunt is a strong chance of taking all three votes whenever the Dragons win – such is his influence on the team.
Meanwhile, Hynes, who was a revelation at halfback for Cronulla, delivering to steer his side to second place.
Hynes missed a singular game due to Covid-19 but was ever-present for coach Craig Fitzgibbon.
Most of the Sharks’ attack came through Hynes, and as a result he consistently recorded try assists, totalling 26.
Despite a strong season, Hunt’s consistency throughout the year could see him pip his rivals at the post.
Verdict: Ben Hunt
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PROP
Leader after Round 12: Payne Haas (8)
In the mix: David Klemmer (7), Tino Fa’asuamaleaui (7), Addin Fonua-Blake (6), Reuben Cotter (5), Junior Paulo (4), Joseph Tapine (4), Tevita Tatola (3)
Broncos gun Payne Haas led the voting after Round 12, but following contract turmoil mid-season he fell away.
While he was still able to win Brisbane’s player of the year award for a record fourth straight time, other front rowers also had barnstorming seasons.
Raiders enforcer Joseph Tapine showed he is one of the competition’s best forwards, consistently churning out huge metres for Ricky Stuart’s side.
The Kiwi international sat third for total running metres behind Tedesco and Edwards, and was second for offloads.
Titans skipper Tino Fa’asuamaleaui was consistently his side’s best player. After a strong Origin series for the Maroons, the 22-year-old stunned with a two-try performance off the bench against the Rabbitohs.
Fa’asuamaleaui also shone in a weak side and therefore has a strong chance of polling.
Verdict: Joseph Tapine and Tino Fa’asuamaleaui
HOOKER
Leader after Round 12: Harry Grant (9)
In the mix: Damien Cook (7), Reed Mahoney (7), Apisai Koroisau (5), Reece Robson (3)
Storm gun Harry Grant led the way at Round 12 and continued to deliver from then on in for Craig Bellamy’s side.
While he missed a handful of games during the Origin period, Grant showed his class and recorded 17 try assists from dummy-half, the most of any hooker.
Grant’s darting runs and consistent scheming from the ruck would often see him record votes.
Meanwhile, Rabbitohs hooker Damien Cook finished the year strong after what was considered a slow start for Souths.
The Blues dummy-half was strong after the Origin period, while Apisai Koroisau was another consistent performer and had some of his best games at the back-end of the year.
Verdict: Harry Grant
SECOND ROW
Leader after Round 12: Haumole Olakau’atu (6)
In the mix: Jeremiah Nanai (6), Josh Curran (5), Beau Fermor (3), Hudson Young (3), Keaon Koloamatangi (2), Shaun Lane, Isaiah Papali’i (1), Angus Crichton (2)
The backrow is one of the hardest to predict this season as a number of players delivered throughout 2022.
Haumole Olakau’atu was the leader after Round 12, but could be a victim of the Sea Eagles late slump which saw finish the season with seven losses. Olakau’atu is unlikely to record any votes from Round 19 onwards and was one of seven players to sit out Round 20 amid the pride jersey saga.
Meanwhile, Eels star Shaun Lane enjoyed the best season of his career. Lane hadn’t polled a vote coming into Round 12, but from then on was one of Parramatta’s best.
He recorded eight try assists after Round 12 and delivered a number of big performances, including a masterclass against the Broncos in Round 24, which should see him record two or three votes multiple times.
Roosters gun Angus Crichton also had a fine stretch of form from Round 19 to 25, scoring five tries, while Raiders gun Hudson Young also had an impressive season.
So much so many have called for the 24-year-old to be included in Mal Meninga’s Kangaroos squad.
However, Cowboys young gun Jeremiah Nanai stole the big moments and potentially votes.
The 19-year-old finished the season with 17 tries, the most of any forward and was a crucial figure in the Maroons’ series win.
While he did have a quiet end of the season from Round 21 onwards, Nanai’s early six points would have only built with a six-try stretch from Round 15 to 20.
Verdict: Jeremiah Nanai and Shaun Lane
LOCK
Leader after Round 12: Isaah Yeo (17)
In the mix: Pat Carrigan (8), Cameron Murray (6), Jason Taumalolo (5)
A one-horse race — Isaah Yeo has this one locked up.
The Panthers superstar was simply excellent to begin the season and didn’t slow down after the Origin period.
Yeo was the Panthers third playmaker all season and is shoe-in to deservedly win the Dally M Lock of the Year.
Meanwhile, Pat Carrigan had a strong season but missed out on four weeks with suspension.
Cameron Murray and Jason Taumalolo were also strong, but will be no match for Yeo’s end-of-season votes tally.
Verdict: Isaah Yeo
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OVERALL
Leader after Round 12: Ben Hunt (19)
In the mix: Nicho Hynes (16), Dylan Edwards (13), Isaah Yeo (17), James Tedesco (14), Mitchell Moses (15)
This year’s Dally M race is shaping up to be one of the tightest in years.
Multiple big-name players stood tall for their teams, but the top gong will likely be won by one of three players — Ben Hunt, Nicho Hynes and Dylan Edwards.
Hunt enjoyed one of his best NRL seasons to date and has a big advantage over his rivals.
The Maroons playmaker is by far the Dragons best player and as such the focus is on him to create and perform.
Luckily for the Red V, he did just that this season and after Round 12 had only missed out on 15 points of a potential 36.
Hunt finished the season with 21 try assists and six tries to go with a pinpoint kicking game that was able to turn his opponents around consistently.
The 32-year-old’s kicking game was on song throughout 2022 and he booted double the 40-20s of anyone else, finishing with six to his name.
Meanwhile, Nicho Hynes’ first full season in the halves may have left the Storm wanting him back as star playmaker Cameron Munster’s future remains up in the air.
Hynes sat second for try assists with 26, sixth for total kicking metres and his defensive game was consistently strong.
The former fullback also benefits from taking the burden of majority of the Sharks’ attacking play and is the focal point for Craig Fitzgibbon’s side.
Some pundits are tipping the Cronulla superstar to take out the top gong, and if he does so in his first season in the halves it will be some feat.
Panthers fullback Dylan Edwards has also enjoyed the best season of his career and given the recognition he deserves.
Finishing the year with the most running metres the NRL, as well as the most runs and fifth most tackle breaks — Edwards is a genuine chance despite playing a star-studded side.
Verdict: Ben Hunt
