Six Penrith players have been named in the Dally M Team of the Year, but Nathan Cleary has missed out on the top gong.
Manly’s Tom Trbojevic’s stunning season was rewarded with the Dally M Medal for the game’s best player, with Cleary finishing second on the leaderboard.
The Sea Eagles star polled 35 points, ahead of Cleary (30), and Cody Walker (29). Trbojevic’s teammate Daly Cherry-Evans and Sydney Roosters fullback James Tedesco (both 23) rounded out the top five.
Brian To’o, Matt Burton, Nathan Cleary, Isaah Yeo, James Fisher-Harris and Viliame Kikau were all named in the Team of the Year.
It was an ironic win for Burton who is set to go from Dally M Centre of the Year to playing in the halves at Canterbury next season.
Ivan Cleary missed out on a second consecutive Coach of the Year award, with the gong taken out by Craig Bellamy.
The awards were presented in a low-key style in Brisbane, hosted remotely from Sydney by Fox Sports presenters Jess Yates and Braith Anasta.
“On behalf of the game, congratulations to Tom Trbojevic on winning rugby league’s highest individual honour,’’ NRL Chief Executive Andrew Abdo said.
“It’s a remarkable achievement in a remarkable year to poll 3 points in 11 different games.
“Congratulations to every winner. Tonight we reflected on the people and moments of the season. The players. The coaches. The teamwork. The deep tribalism. The unmatched athleticism. The unforgettable moments of brilliance.”
