Jahrome Hughes won the Dally M Medal on Wednesday night, holding out James Tedesco by one point in the final leaderboard.
Hughes was the hot favourite to take out rugby league’s top award after a brilliant season for the Melbourne Storm, despite pushing over a referee and getting suspended in round two, which cost him six points.
Roosters forward Olivia Kernick was crowned the Dally M Female Player of the Year, racking up 22 points, just ahead of Parramatta’s Abbi Church (20) and the Gold Coast’s Lauren Brown (20).
Hughes finished with 62 votes, one ahead of Tedesco. Both players polled the maximum six points in their respective last rounds against the Brisbane Broncos and South Sydney.
The only person who had given Tedesco a hope of winning his second Dally M – ‘Teddy’ was the 2019 champion – was Hughes himself.
Speaking after Friday night’s preliminary final win over the Roosters, Hughes gestured to the opposition sheds when asked about his biggest threat.
Dally M winner Jahrome Hughes.Credit: Getty Images
There was a touching moment when Storm teammate led an impromptu haka for Hughes.
Hughes, 29, has been nothing short of excellent for the Storm, and guided them around the park for a large chunk of the season without his regular half partner Cameron Munster and fullback Ryan Papenhuyzen because of injury.
What has made his form in recent weeks even more admirable is the fact he has played with an injured neck.
Roosters second rower Olivia Kernick won the 2024 NRLW Dally M Player of the year.Credit: Getty Images
The Kiwis international, however, is in doubt for Sunday’s grand final against reigning three-time champions Penrith.
Manly skipper Daly Cherry-Evans finished on 51 votes and Sea Eagles teammate Tom Trbojevic 50 votes, despite only playing 18 regular-season games all season. He was followed by North Queensland’s Scott Drinkwater (45), Panthers co-captain Isaah Yeo (42), last year’s winner Kalyn Ponga (42) and Penrith’s Dylan Edwards (34). Tedesco and Hughes also won fullback and halfback of the year.
NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo said of Hughes’ win: “Season 2024 has been a year worthy of celebration. The year was full of exceptional performances and captivating storylines. Credit for this amazing success goes to the players, the coaches, the officials and most importantly the fans.
“Tonight we recognised the standout performances of the season and we remembered some amazing moments from the year.
In accepting the award for Dally M Female Player of the Year, Roosters forward Olivia Kernick said: “I definitely didn’t expect that this year.“
”Sort of caught off guard but I think this year the women’s NRL has really proven, and we’ve really produced a really good product this year, and I think we’ve taken the competition to another level.”
Storm contingent Harry Grant and Eli Katoa were named hooker and second-rower of the year, while Sunday’s grand final opponents the Panthers had Brian To’o and Yeo take out winger and lock forward honours.
Craig Bellamy got the nod over Canterbury’s Cameron Ciraldo who was a warm favourite after leading the Dogs’ to the finals for the first time in eight years, while Bulldogs’ skipper Stephen Crichton was captain of the year. Dolphins winger Jack Bostock was the Dally M rookie winner.
The incredible try scored by Xavier Coates to win a game for the Storm in round two picked up try of the year and the Peter Frilingos Headline Moment.
