The penultimate night of every player's season, after the grand final, is undoubtedly the Dally M awards presentation. 2004/2005 has produced some memorable moments, and sterling performances. Without further ado, the presention of awards.

Fullback of the Year: John Andrews (Darwin)
Andrews was an absolute bolter for this award, and Newcastle management will be pleased after recently luring the Darwin custodian to their franchise. Andrews' interchange with Caleb Ralph at the back was key to several Darwin victories.

Winger of the Year: Trent Pariah (Northern)
The gifted goal-kicker and support player had another wow of a year after last year taking out the Rookie of the Year award. The young winger's season was highlighted by selection in State of Origin, for Australia, and for his home country of Malta.

Centre of the Year: Matthew Gidley (Gold Coast)
The veteran centre, who has found a new lease on life at the Gold Coast, had a wonderful year- mirrored nicely by his former Crusade team-mate, Ryan Girdler, in Division Two. Now heading to Tamworth City to play in 2005, Gidley departs as one of the Crusade's statesemen.

Five Eighth of the Year: Jonny Wilkinson (Perth)
Having won Player of the Year in seasons gone by, Wilkinson this year proved that he can be the difference maker in any side- turning Perth from also rans to contenders this season.

Halfback of the Year: Matt Orford (Gold Coast)
Whilst Orford's form may have been overshadowed by the amazing return to form of Canberra's Sean Towers, there's no doubting that Matt Orford was the dominant halfback in Premier League this year. Withstanding brave challenges from Sydney's Craig Gower and Central Coast's Brent Sherwin, Orford played a key role in this year's State of Origin campaign.

Prop of the Year: Ben Ross (Brisbane)
After starting the season in the Rising Star Conference for Wests Panthers, Ross stormed onto the scene late in the year with some amazing form for Brisbane, which saw him selected for Australia in their recent clash with New Zealand.

Hooker of the Year: Craig Wing (Sydney)
Has been the only hooker in the Premier League to stand up and be counted for this season, with Parramatta's Harley Autitia the only other hooker to show much form in 2004/2005.

Second Rower of the Year: James Manson (Central Coast)
The underrated Central Coast workhorse was perhaps a surprise selection in this category, given that he was overlooked for State of Origin and Australian representation in favour of the likes of Craig Fitzgibbon and Michael Crocker.

Lock of the Year: Andy Farrell (Gold Coast)
In his one and only season at the Crusade, Farrell has averaged over fourteen points a game and has topped the Premier League try-scoring list. Replacing Andrew Johns as if he'd never been at the club, Farrell is also favourite to take out Player of the Year.

Utility of the Year: Daniel Abraham (Perth)
Daniel Abraham takes out this award for the second consecutive year, cementing his position as one of the game's most flexible players. Abraham was seen in the centres, halves, and back row during the season- and donned the sky blue yet again.

Captain of the Year: Andy Farrell (Gold Coast)
The shoes of Andrew Johns are hard to fill, but Andy Farrell's stint at the Crusade has continued the club's fine tradition of excellence.

Rookie of the Year: Brian Bower (Wollongong)
Whilst Bower has had some game time at Fairfield prior to coming to Wollongong, the gifted young centre this year shone in a much improved Wollongong outfit.

Rookie Coach of the Year: Ben Piggott (Coffs Harbour)
Whilst the Wyrms stumbled at the last hurdle, the form of their second year coach, Ben Piggott, saw them in contention right up until the final week of competition despite having a rather 'poor' squad by Premier League standards.

Coach of the Year: Roger Bossert (Sydney)
Has had an amazing season, which started with finishing second in the Bob Fulton Cup, and was highlighted by wins in the State of Origin (Queensland's first ever) and the Crown Casino Risk. Bossert is now in pursuit of the trifecta, with a sudden death game against Gold Coast this weekend.

Player of the Year: Andy Farrell (Gold Coast)
The Crusade's stranglehold on the Dally M Player of the Year medal continues, with Farrell's outstanding season rewarded with the award for being the best player in the ASRL. Farrell's season has been incredible, averaging fourteen points a game, leading the try-scorers list, and leading England in the tri-series.

My first Dally M Awards banquet - and I am waiting with bated breath to cheer on Scott Magro as a certain Player of the Year finalist...

...and wondering why Division Two is honoured with the final presentations, instead of the Premiership...

...ah well - some brandy for the Wagga table whilst we wait...

...from my left around to my right: Dame Judi Dench, Mirco Bergamasco, James Rowles, Jon Wilkin, Sam Payne, Jamie Rooney, Christian Walker, Smeds Stahl, Marlon Steele, Fabien Devici, Dr. Neela Rasgotra.

The evening continues, as awards are presented to Division Two winners.

Fullback of the Year: Kris Radlinski (North Queensland)
The gifted English veteran continued his strangehold on the fullback of the year award, shining in a Dolphins' side that often looked like they'd be claiming a maiden wooden spoon.

Winger of the Year: Anthony Farrah (Tamworth City)
The little known Lebanese sensation was a revelation for the Titans this year, keeping more favoured players like Joseph Goldstein and Wendell Sailor on the bench at different times.

Centre of the Year: Ryan Girdler (Shanghai)
The veteran centre made a real fist of his swansong year, making sure he'd retire with another finals' campaign on his belt by lifting Shanghai to an unlikely top five berth. In his final year as a player, Girdler represented both his state and his nation.

Five Eighth of the Year: Brandon Costin (Canberra)
Although he played a lot of his football at lock, Costin was a shoe-in for this award due to his impeccible form for the Chargers. A constant threat with the ball in hand, Costin's interchange with Matthew Gafa made the Chargers a constant threat.

Halfback of the Year: Sean Towers (Canberra)
The veteran halfback had perhaps his finest season ever, leading Queensland to an unlikely State of Origin win before stepping in to take over the Australian #7 jersey ahead of names like Orford, Johns, and Gower.

Prop of the Year: Antonio Kaufusi (Canberra)
The young Queenslander was perhaps one of State of Origin's most controversial selections since NSW named Craig Smith (a Queenslander) back in 2001/2002, but the Islander stood out in a successful campaign from the Maroons.

Hooker of the Year: Jamie Fitzgerald (Wagga)
Becomes the first ever Wagga player to win a playing award, and thoroughly earned it with his excellent work for the Badgers. After being snared from the Gold Coast's RSC club at the end of last year, Fitzgerald has shone in every match he's played for the Division Two title contenders.

Second Rower of the Year: Andre Bowen (Waikato)
The big goal-kicking back rower was a shining light in a rather dismal season for the Breakers, and his talents have earned him a place in Darwin's Premier League squad for 2005.

Lock of the Year: Scott Magro (Fairfield)
For the second consecutive year, the Maltese powerhouse has claimed the lock of the year award- with his amazing ball playing seeing him selected for NSW in this year's State of Origin series.

Utility of the Year: Casey McGuire (Canberra)
Dubbed by many as league's most flexible player, McGuire covered every position possible in the Chargers' outfit this year, proving himself an invaluable player.

Captain of the Year: Brad Fittler (Ipswich)
Few men could have lead Ipswich's rag-tag collection of 'nobodies' to a top five appearance, but Brad Fittler will end his career in the finals despite the tremendous adversity against him.

Rookie of the Year: Sam Payne (Wagga)
The little known Mudgee junior has shone in Wagga's side this year, emerging as one of the best hole runners and support players in the Division Two competition.

Rookie Coach of the Year: Theo Kamis (Wagga)
Wagga's eccentric American leader has turned last year's wooden spooners into the second placed Peter Sterling Division side, proving that a good coach can turn even the most unassuming bunch of 'unknowns' into title contenders.

Coach of the Year: Mike Treacy (Tassie)
Much like Theo Kamis, Treacy has turned a bunch of struggling nobodies into a premiership force- making Tassie into the Peter Sterling Division's best side for 2004/2005.

Player of the Year: Sean Towers (Canberra)
Having played amazing years for Canberra, Queensland, and now Australia- Towers was an obvious choice for the award in Division Two. Easily capable of making it in Premier League again, Towers has confirmed himself as one of the game's brighest halfbacks.

RISING STAR CONFERENCE
FULLBACK: Brad Watts (Hunter)
WINGER: Neil Sweeney (Sunshine Coast)
CENTRE: Adrian Mirhalov (Gisborne)
FIVE EIGHTH: Daniel Ferris (North West)
HALFBACK: Michael Sullivan (Balmain)
PROP: Ben Lowe (Souths)
HOOKER: Chad Randall (Hunter)
SECOND ROWER: Lloyd Johannsen (Wests)
LOCK: Toori Tatu (Hawthorn)
UTILITY: Andrew Meads (Kensington)
COACH: Vahe Ohanessian (Ryde)
CAPTAIN: Guiseppi Magro (The Entrance)
ROOKIE: Graeme Timms (The Entrance)
PLAYER: Brad Watts (Hunter)

Rookie coach of the year yay!! Break out the bubbly
and Congrats Rodger well done!!!

Ripped!!!!

I had to look after tamworth after some cumstain got them to far over the cap. I want a recount, haha

good stuff theo and mick