The gala event that has been capturing the hearts and imaginations of players and fans alike kicked off in Sydney's Crown Casino as the best players from Premier League, Division Two, and even the RSC turned out to celebrate another brilliant year of Rugby League.
With the finals already underway, the big players took time out from training to accept awards and applaud those who had made this year such an enormous success.
PREMIER LEAGUE
Fullback of the Year: Billy Slater (Gold Coast)
The talented young Queenslander had another year to remember at the Crusade, but the return of Chris Latham to the Crusade will see the pacy back join Adelaide in an attempt to awake a sleeping giant south of the border.
Winger of the Year: Hazem El Masri (Central Coast)
El Masri edged out stiff competition from Manly's Mat Rogers, and takes out winger of the year along with the season's top goal kicker.
Centre of the Year: Nigel Vagana (Central Coast)
No surprises here, as Vagana dominated all comers for the honour of being crowned centre of the year. His nearest opponent, John Sitizein (who took out the award in his rookie year), finished three points behind him thanks to a late charge.
Five Eighth of the Year: Andrew Mehrtens (Capetown)
Finished neck and neck with Gold Coast's Jonny Wilkinson, but Mehrtens' point scoring record and the fact he has captained the Ravens to a minor premiership saw him take the prize.
Halfback of the Year: Andrew Johns (Gold Coast)
Johns faced little real competition all year, reaffirming his status as the world's greatest player with another dominant year. Wellington's Sean Long was Johns' nearest competitor, but still finished well below Johns' end of season tally of 20 Dally M points.
Prop of the Year: Brad Meyers (Carnarvon)
Meyers proved a real bolter after being part of Carnarvon's worst performing side since 2000. Meyers was a shining light in an otherwise grim year for the Grizzlies, edging out Falcons' rookie, Corin Barry.
Hooker of the Year: Ben Kirchner (North Melbourne)
Despite earning most of his points in the Maulers' early dominance (including their Bob Fulton Cup win), Kirchner was an easy winner in this year's competition thanks largely to the lack of form from the game's premier hookers. Joining North Sydney next year, Kirchner has recently expressed his desire to make a move to the backs.
Second Rower of the Year: Craig Fitzgibbon (Parramatta)
Withstood a late charge from the Gold Coast's Tony Puletua to claim his first ever Dally M award. Fitzgibbon was easily Parramatta's finest all year- both as an on field leader and as a representative player.
Lock of the Year: Kevin Sinfield (Wellington)
Enjoyed the finest year of his career to take out both lock of the year, top pointscorer, and player of the year by a record margin of almost 30 points (his nearest competitor being Andrew Johns).
Utility of the Year: Iestyn Harris (Brisbane)
Was Brisbane's best by a long shot, scoring the majority of their points and filling every position from fullback to lock.
Rookie of the Year: Red Apokalips (Darwin)
Apokalips was involved in a three way race for five eighth of the year (alongside Wilkinson and Mehrtens) but injuries late in the year thwarted what would have been a marvellous debut season. Still, Apokalips' form for Darwin was integral in their top eight berth.
Coach of the Year: Chris Walker-Bush (Capetown)
Last year lead Capetown to promotion in their debut year, and this year shattered Central Coast's record by taking a side from 2nd in Division Two straight to first in Premier League.
Rookie Coach of the Year: Anthony McElroy (Adelaide)
Joined late in the season after Maxwell Randell stepped down due to the side's poor form. Although McElroy couldn't lead the Attitude to a finals' berth, he got them within one game.
Rep Player of the Year: Brett Hodgson (Wollongong)
Was the Blues' finest in another powerful series' win, as well as playing two games for Australia in a moderately successful tri series campaign.
DIVISION TWO
Fullback of the Year: Kris Radlinski (North Queensland)
Reclaimed his mantle as Great Britain's greatest fullback in a powerful year for the Dolphins. Was a part of every victory by the newly merged entity, and is said to be loving the side after having spent a largely unsuccessful year at Townsville in 2003.
Winger of the Year: Leon Pryce (Newcastle)
Alongside Brad Commins and Nathan Fien, Leon Pryce has been largely responsible for the Fear's excellent season. Pryce narrowly edged out Port Moresby's Marcus Bai- a fact that could portend to another Fear victory over the Power in Sunday's game.
Centre of the Year: Matt Giteau (Coffs Harbour)
Was the best player in Division Two, bar none, until mid season injury caused him to lose a bit of form. Was still Coffs Harbour's finest player all year, dominating his more established league counterparts.
Five Eighth of the Year: Tommy Martyn (Port Moresby)
One of three Power players to take out a positional award, Martyn enjoyed a swansong season to make other veterans envious. Not only did Martyn score a sackful of tries- but was also one of the best players all season.
Halfback of the Year: John Morris (Port Moresby)
With the form of Martyn, it's no surprise that Morris also enjoyed a brilliant year. Morris ended up topping the Division Two try-scorers list, but faced some late opposition from Newcastle's Nathan Fien for the award.
Prop of the Year: Ben Roarty (Penrith)
Don't let anyone tell you that experience and aggression don't go hand in hand. Roarty had his best year ever in first grade football, being one of Penrith's many excellent players.
Hooker of the Year: Mark Riddell (Penrith)
Was never challenged for the award. Mark Riddell has been one of Penrith's strongest all year, overshadowed only by unheralded rookie, Evarn Tuimavave.
Second Row of the Year: Evarn Tuimavave (Penrith)
Was the man most likely to challenge eventual player of the year Mohammed Zian Ali- but was hindered by injuries and rep callups for an out of form New Zealand side this year. Shared goal kicking duties with Mark Riddell all season, otherwise may have challenged for top point-scorer in the division.
Lock of the Year: Mohammed Zian Ali (Port Moresby)
Mirroring Premier League, the man who took out lock of the year also took out the player of the year award. Zian Ali burst onto the scene halfway through the season, and never looked back in an astounding year.
Utility of the Year: Joseph Goldstein (Tamworth City)
Wasn't really challenged for the honour after a consistently solid year from such a talented young gun.
Rookie of the Year: Evarn Tuimavave (Penrith)
Although Tuimavave played several games for the Gold Coast Crusade before joining Penrith, it was never enough to make him qualify as a fulltime first grader. This year's season was his first as a regular, and he made a name for himself in the back row and in lock.
Coach of the Year: Vahe Ohanessian (Eastwood)
While Jelly Adams achieved a major feat in making Port Moresby the most dominant club in Division Two's short history, it was Vahe's work at Eastwood that caught the selectors' eyes. Turning a consistently poor club into a side who finished third ahead of several more established sides was considered a larger feat.
RISING STAR CONFERECE
Fullback: Holger Mannhardt (Cairns)
Winger: Trent Pariah (Birchgrove)
Centre: Daniel Parks (Rabaul)
Five Eighth: Daniel Ferris (North West)
Halfback: Eron Bates (Wests)
Prop: Matt Kennedy (Sunshine Coast)
Hooker: Aaron Gorrell (Wests)
Second Row: Mark Hair (Sunshine Coast)
Lock: Richard Goddard (Port Kembla)
Utility: Borris Ahmed (The Flintlocks)
Coach: Nathan Hoy (Rotarua)
Rookie of the Year: Trent Pariah (Birchgrove)
Player of the Year: Trent Pariah (Birchgrove)
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Go Ieyston Harris with the premier utility of the year!
Go Eron Bates with the Rsc halfback of the year!
Go Aaron Gorrell rsc Hooker of the year!
All representing for the Bulls and the Panthers!
Go Giteau! thought sailor might ave been an outside shot at that winger of the year. Hopefully slater will be number one again next year at adelaide.
