Brutal call on Penrith star; verdict on epic No.1 shootout — Predicted Dally M Team of the Year

WINGERS: Zac Lomax (21), Brian To’o (8), Jacob Kiraz (7), Alofiana Khan-Pereia, Will Warbrick

Analysis: Lets start this off by getting one wing spot out of the way here, with Zac Lomax having a career-best season. The Dragons flyer, after being shifting from the centre to the wing by new coach Shane Flanagan, was simply excellent and sat equal 10th when voting went behind closed doors with 21 votes. He scored 14 tries, had the fourth most carries of any player and his aerial prowess was on full display throughout the whole 2024 campaign, earning him Origin selection. Lomax was the best winger consistently this season and will as such earn a spot on the wing. As for the second spot? It’s up for grabs. We know overall votes don’t matter when it comes to the Team of the Year, so if it goes off pure try-scoring ability, Alofiana Khan-Pereira would earn selection. He scored 24 tries in 21 games, showcasing his ability to cross the line. However he’s surpassed by other wingers when it comes to tackle breaks, carries and overall influence on a clash. Will Warbrick was also solid for the Storm and was named as one of five candidates, but there’s two players who stand above the bunch in Jacob Kiraz and Brian To’o. Both players are genuine metre eaters and sit second and third respectively when it comes to running metres. To’o is superior when it comes to tackle breaks and has played three less games due to Origin commitments. The Panthers gun also leads when it comes to line breaks by one, but Kiraz has carried the ball 95 more times, albeit in three more games. So who gets the nod? Our tip is Brian To’o, who has once again been excellent on the wing for the Panthers.

Verdict: Zac Lomax and Brian To’o

CENTRES: Herbie Farnworth (7), Valentine Holmes (6), Jesse Ramien (3), Stephen Crichton (1), Kotoni Staggs

Analysis: Another position with an obvious selection — Stephen Crichton. While he had only polled one vote after 12 rounds, he was arguably the signing of the season and is a strong chance of being named one of the centres in this team. His leadership was invaluable for the Bulldogs, and while his stats don’t exactly match it with the top dogs, he was still one of the best players in the competition this season and will likely win Dally M Captain of the Year. Outside of him, four players will battle for the final spot, with the first being Cowboys gun Valentine Holmes. Holmes had an indifferent season, but managed to score the most points of any player and deliver some almighty performances. However, his inconsistent campaign could see him miss out from this line-up. Herbie Farnworth also took to life at the Dolphins like a duck to water and tallied the 31st most running metres this year, while Kotoni Staggs had a massive end to his season with the Broncos. He scored once against the Eels in Round 25 and twice against the Cowboys in Round 23 in an inspired performance that could see him win some votes come the end of the season in the centres race. However, one man could have his nose in front of the pack in Jesse Ramien. The Sharks centre was on the verge of an Origin call-up this year and has been a wrecking ball on the right side of the field for Cronulla. He recorded the 9th most running metres, the most of any out and out centre, with Jacob Kiraz featuring at both centre and on the wing. Ramien also had the 7th most offloads, and 11 try assists, once again the most of any player in his position. It was a season to remember for Ramien who also crossed the white line six times in his 24 games.

Verdict: Stephen Crichton and Jesse Ramien

FIVE-EIGHTH: Matt Burton (16), Jarome Luai (8), Tom Dearden (6)

Analysis: This one’s a tight one to call. All three players that were named by the NRL here had stellar seasons and were pivotal in their respective team’s run to the finals. Jarome Luai evolved his game in ways that Panthers fans were very pleased to see in 2024, playing several games in the No.7 jersey and steering the ship in impressive fashion. He’s got the most try assists of this trio with 20, but did start the season slowly with Nathan Cleary being the main man in Penrith. Tom Dearden, meanwhile, has nine tries in his 24 games, the same amount as Matt Burton. Dearden was strong again in 2024, and played all three Origin games for Queensland in the absence of Cameron Munster. However, Burton is the man we’re picking to win the five-eighth slot and the former Panther had a massive campaign for the Bulldogs. He was a central figure in Canterbury-Bankstown’s charge to the finals, and his dominance was on full display against the Roosters in Round 5, scoring a hat-trick, whilst he also crossed for a double against the Dragons in Round 12. Burton closed out his 2024 regular season with a has of strong performances, namely against the Dolphins and Warriors in big wins before a late Canterbury slump.

Verdict: Matt Burton

HALFBACK: Jahrome Hughes (16), Daly Cherry-Evans (27), Ben Hunt (17)

Analysis: This one is the easiest of the lot. Jahrome Hughes is the overwhelming favourite to win the Dally M Medal. He’s almost a certainty to be in the top three on the overall leaderboard, meaning he will be the halfback in this team unless Daly Cherry-Evans pips him to the post. Hughes has recorded a ridiculous 31 try assists, nine tries, 21 line breaks and 99 tackle busts across his 22 games and was labelled the “best running halfback” the game’s ever seen by league legend Matty Johns.

Verdict: Jahrome Hughes

PROPS: Joseph Tapine (8), Addin Fonua-Blake (7), Lindsay Collins (6), James Fisher-Harris (3), Moses Leota

Analysis: The prop spot could be one of the toughest picks of the lot, with all five contenders putting together stellar campaigns. Lindsay Collins was solid for the Roosters and has been a consistent presence in the middle of the park across his 23 games. Panthers duo James Fisher-Harris and Moses Leota have also both been excellent. Both players are in the top 100 when it comes to running metres and total carries, while they combined for six tries. However, the two that stand above the pack this season are Addin Fonua-Blake and Joseph Tapine. They sit first and second when it comes to the props with the most running metres, while Fonua-Blake broke the line a staggering nine times and scored nine eight tries. Tapine, meanwhile, made 706 tackles, the 27th most of any player in the competition, being the Raiders’ engine room in the middle of the park. Only Stefano Utoikamanu broke more tackles than Fonua-Blake this year in the prop ranks, while Tapine has the most try assists of any front rower with four. Both of these players have had stellar seasons and would be deserving winners of the prop slots.

Verdict: Joseph Tapine and Addin Fonua-Blake

HOOKER: Harry Grant (15), Blayke Brailey (10), Reece Robson (10)

Analysis: Blayke Brailey and Reece Robson have both been excellent this season. Brailey is a true workhorse for the Sharks and has made the second most tackles of any player with 1,146 behind only Reed Mahoney. No player has more minutes than Cronulla’s No.9, while Robson has an impressive 10 line breaks and has also made the ninth most tackles in the NRL. However, Harry Grant has once again been the benchmark hooker in first grade this season, and he has the most try assists and tries of any dummy-half with 12 and 11 respectively. The former Tigers loane player has been consistently dangerous from behind the ruck and has led the Storm to a grand final as captain in 2024. While Brailey has been arguably more consistent, it’s hard to argue he’s had a better season than Grant who in almost every game threatens the line and makes a huge impact alongside his star-studded spine.

Verdict: Harry Grant

BACK ROWERS: Viliame Kikau (23), Angus Crichton (10), Jaydn Su’A (9), Eliesa Katoa (8), Hudson Young (7)

Analysis: It’s been a comeback story for the ages, but Angus Crichton has arguably been the competition’s best backrower this year and is almost a certainty to be included in this team. After starting the year in reserve grade, he crossed the white line 11 times, broke a ridiculous 73 tackles and also tallied seven try assists, earning selection for the NSW Blues once again. Crichton has been simply on fire, and will likely be partnered by Storm gun Eliesa Katoa in this group. Katoa’s signing has been an inspired recruitment decision by Melbourne bosses, and the former Warrior has gone from strength to strength under Craig Bellamy. The gun coach gives his back row gun wraps whenever possible, and he’s scored 12 tries in 2024 to go with five try assists. What’s more is he has the 38th most line breaks of any player in the competition with 13 but has been a consistently damaging force on the right side of the field for the Storm. Viliame Kikau could be considered the unlucky man to miss out here, and he’s been excellent for the Bulldogs, with Hudson Young and Jaydn Su’A both put together impressive seasons for the Raiders and Dragons respectively.

Verdict: Eliesa Katoa and Angus Crichton

LOCK: Isaah Yeo (24), Pat Carrigan (21), Reuben Cotter (4)

Analysis: Reuben Cotter was strong throughout the season for the Cowboys and has been one of the most consistent players in the NRL this season, earning Origin honours for Queensland once again. Meanwhile, last year’s Lock of the Year Pat Carrigan has also been a mainstay for the Broncos, making the 26th most tackles of any player in the competition and the 26th most running metres. However, the standout lock this season has been Isaah Yeo. With Nathan Cleary out for a large portion of the season, other Panthers players have had to stand up and Yeo has done just that. The Penrith No.13 has six try assists and two tries to go with 819 tackles, the 14th most of any player in the NRL. What’s more staggering is the few missed tackles he tallies, recording only 17 misses while Carrigan had 49. Yeo has been key to Penrith finishing second after the regular season and reaching their fifth-straight grand final and this year it looks like he’s retaken the mantle as the best lock in the game off Carrigan.

Verdict: Isaah Yeo

Predicted 2024 Dally M Team of the Year

Fullback: James Tedesco

Wingers: Zac Lomax and Brian To’o

Centres: Stephen Crichton and Jesse Ramien

Five-eighth: Matt Burton

Halfback: Jahrome Hughes

Props: Joseph Tapine and Addin Fonua-Blake

Hooker: Harry Grant

Back rowers: Eliesa Katoa and Angus Crichton

Lock: Isaah Yeo

2024 Leaderboard after Round 12

Dylan Edwards – 31

Nicho Hynes – 30

Daly Cherry-Evans – 27

Isaah Yeo – 24

James Tedesco – 23

Viliame Kikau – 23

Isaiya Katoa – 21

Pat Carrigan – 21

Tom Trbojevic – 21

Zac Lomax – 21

Last year’s Fox League predicted Dally M Team of the Year

Fullback: Kalyn Ponga

Wingers: Dominic Young and Brian To’o

Centres: Stephen Crichton and Herbie Farnworth

Five-eighth: Cameron Munster

Halfback: Shaun Johnson

Props: Payne Haas and Addin Fonua-Blake

Hooker: Wayde Egan

Back rowers: Haumole Olakau’atu and Liam Martin

Lock: Pat Carrigan

Actual 2023 Dally M Team of the Year

Fullback: Kalyn Ponga

Wingers: Dallin Watene-Zelezniak and Jamayne Isaako

Centres: Stephen Crichton and Herbie Farnworth

Five-eighth: Ezra Mam

Halfback: Shaun Johnson

Props: Payne Haas and Addin Fonua-Blake

Hooker: Harry Grant

Back rowers: David Fifita and Liam Martin

Lock: Pat Carrigan

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