ellakasmar
Reserve Grader
For the first time in a while I can see some success on the horizon for Manly players at this year's Dally M awards. I know these awards mean so little compared to making (and winning) the grand final, but it would be so awesome to see our players and staff rewarded for their hard work. And hey, any player that is able to get some accolades throughout the season will keep them happy (even happier than they already all seem!!!) at a club where they are able to succeed as a team and individually.
For coach of the year, Des is a shoe-in in my very biased opinion. What he has been able to do with such a young squad has been incredible, whilst simultaneously getting the older guys to career best form. He has been able to surprise EVERYONE in the rugby league community and succeed all expectations for Manly's 2019 season, where many tipped us to get the spoon!
Captain of the year, now I may be the most biased about this one but I think DCE deserves it more than anyone. Not only has he been able to captain his state after all the criticism he copped a few years back, but again with the young squad Manly have had in 2019, he has able to lead these young guys full of confidence, which has shown with their performances. And everyone knows how great of a leader he is! I know others with the likes of Smith and Cordner will be in the mix too, but I cannot say they have done a better job than what Daly has done with a team that narrowly escaped the spoon last year, to just outside the top 4 this year.
Fullback of the year really could have gone to Tom if he wasn't out injured for so long. Whilst I doubt he will get it over Tedesco, it is awesome to see him up there as one of the most highly regarded fullbacks in the game currently at only 22!
Halfback of the year has to go to Daly as well right?!?!? Even with time spent on the sidelines with an injury, he has been able to win games for Manly with his sheer talent (and field goal kicking ability especially!). He is truly worth all the money he earns.
With prop of the year, I truly think AFB and Marty could be in contention for this. Both of their games have gone next level this year, and their impact and effort have been crucial to some of our wins.
It is a similar situation with second rower of the year with Sirro and Thommo. Honestly, how good are these two. They have added something special in our attack and you can tell they have put in 100% in every game they have played this season.
Lock of the year, now with Jakey's INCREDIBLE statistics this year from countless tackles made, to hardly any tackles missed, Jake deserves this so so so much. However, I am not sure if him getting suspended (sort of) with the tackle in the Storm game could jeopardise this, even though he didn't technically miss any weeks?
Interchange of the year, could go to a few players honestly. But surely Manase Fainu will be getting a look in. It astounds me how calm this kid is and how much talent he possesses. The opposition always find it so hard to tackle him - it's so funny when he is able to jump in and out of their defence. But most of all, in every game where he as started on the bench, he has been able to come on and add a huge spark to our game overall.
Rookie of the year again has had a few players names thrown around in discussions. Now whilst I am not too confident that he will actually get the award (although I seriously reckon he deserves it!!!!), Reuben Garrick has easily been one of our absolute best buys this season. We have been lacking a quality winger for a while now, but with Garrick's incredible athletic ability (as well as the re-birth of Jorge Taufua), we finally can feel more confidence on the edges.
Garrick is also in contention for Top try scorer currently sitting 2 tries behind first place. Would be so good to see him score a few more hattricks or doubles to help him climb that ladder to the top!
And randomly, the Provan-Summons medal is given to basically the 'fan favourite'. I haven't seen that the voting has opened for this, but I thought surely Jake or Tom will be in contention - THEY'RE JUST SO LOVEABLE!
**EDIT: As I was typing that, the NRL announced the finalists for the Ken Stephens Medal which unsurprisingly includes our very own Joel Thompson. This award is all about the community work players do, and with Thommo's 'Mindset Project' and the difference he is making, he 100000% deserves it. Vote here for Thommo! https://www.nrl.com/community/awards/ken-stephen-medal/ **
SO, what do you guys reckon? Any players I missed out or that you don't agree with? And who do you reckon are almost certainties? I would give each award to our whole team if I could!! I know it is hard to predict all of this with the dumb point system that isn't always a true reflection on who deserves it most, but at the end of the day it will be so awesome to see our boys get rewarded for a great season (so far!!)
For coach of the year, Des is a shoe-in in my very biased opinion. What he has been able to do with such a young squad has been incredible, whilst simultaneously getting the older guys to career best form. He has been able to surprise EVERYONE in the rugby league community and succeed all expectations for Manly's 2019 season, where many tipped us to get the spoon!
Captain of the year, now I may be the most biased about this one but I think DCE deserves it more than anyone. Not only has he been able to captain his state after all the criticism he copped a few years back, but again with the young squad Manly have had in 2019, he has able to lead these young guys full of confidence, which has shown with their performances. And everyone knows how great of a leader he is! I know others with the likes of Smith and Cordner will be in the mix too, but I cannot say they have done a better job than what Daly has done with a team that narrowly escaped the spoon last year, to just outside the top 4 this year.
Fullback of the year really could have gone to Tom if he wasn't out injured for so long. Whilst I doubt he will get it over Tedesco, it is awesome to see him up there as one of the most highly regarded fullbacks in the game currently at only 22!
Halfback of the year has to go to Daly as well right?!?!? Even with time spent on the sidelines with an injury, he has been able to win games for Manly with his sheer talent (and field goal kicking ability especially!). He is truly worth all the money he earns.
With prop of the year, I truly think AFB and Marty could be in contention for this. Both of their games have gone next level this year, and their impact and effort have been crucial to some of our wins.
It is a similar situation with second rower of the year with Sirro and Thommo. Honestly, how good are these two. They have added something special in our attack and you can tell they have put in 100% in every game they have played this season.
Lock of the year, now with Jakey's INCREDIBLE statistics this year from countless tackles made, to hardly any tackles missed, Jake deserves this so so so much. However, I am not sure if him getting suspended (sort of) with the tackle in the Storm game could jeopardise this, even though he didn't technically miss any weeks?
Interchange of the year, could go to a few players honestly. But surely Manase Fainu will be getting a look in. It astounds me how calm this kid is and how much talent he possesses. The opposition always find it so hard to tackle him - it's so funny when he is able to jump in and out of their defence. But most of all, in every game where he as started on the bench, he has been able to come on and add a huge spark to our game overall.
Rookie of the year again has had a few players names thrown around in discussions. Now whilst I am not too confident that he will actually get the award (although I seriously reckon he deserves it!!!!), Reuben Garrick has easily been one of our absolute best buys this season. We have been lacking a quality winger for a while now, but with Garrick's incredible athletic ability (as well as the re-birth of Jorge Taufua), we finally can feel more confidence on the edges.
Garrick is also in contention for Top try scorer currently sitting 2 tries behind first place. Would be so good to see him score a few more hattricks or doubles to help him climb that ladder to the top!
And randomly, the Provan-Summons medal is given to basically the 'fan favourite'. I haven't seen that the voting has opened for this, but I thought surely Jake or Tom will be in contention - THEY'RE JUST SO LOVEABLE!
**EDIT: As I was typing that, the NRL announced the finalists for the Ken Stephens Medal which unsurprisingly includes our very own Joel Thompson. This award is all about the community work players do, and with Thommo's 'Mindset Project' and the difference he is making, he 100000% deserves it. Vote here for Thommo! https://www.nrl.com/community/awards/ken-stephen-medal/ **
SO, what do you guys reckon? Any players I missed out or that you don't agree with? And who do you reckon are almost certainties? I would give each award to our whole team if I could!! I know it is hard to predict all of this with the dumb point system that isn't always a true reflection on who deserves it most, but at the end of the day it will be so awesome to see our boys get rewarded for a great season (so far!!)
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