Search
Close this search box.
Ozzie News
Search
Close this search box.

Benji Marshall is bound to win Player of the Year

Andrew Johns, a three-time Dally M medal winner, has predicted that Wests Tigers superstar Benji Marshall will enhance his impressive trophy collection by being named the NRL’s Player of the Year next Tuesday night, in what is expected to be one of the most competitive Dally M races in years.

With one round left, Marshall finds himself in a multi-way contest for Dally M recognition, alongside up to seven other contenders vying for rugby league’s most prestigious individual honor.

Among the competitors are Johnathan Thurston, Billy Slater, Cooper Cronk, Glenn Stewart, Chris Sandow, and Kieran Foran, with Thurston and Slater being the most probable candidates to prevent Marshall from winning his first Dally M medal.

Johns, who took home the award in 1998, 1999, and 2002, feels that Marshall’s outstanding play during the latter part of the season has elevated him to the forefront. A strong performance against Cronulla this weekend could likely clinch the award for him.

“Right now, Benji must be leading the charge considering how he has finished the season,” Johns expressed to NRL.com.

“He is performing brilliantly and demonstrating great consistency these days. It’s fantastic to see him healthy and playing injury-free. After dealing with numerous shoulder and knee issues, it’s wonderful that he is now fit and dominating the field.

“His confidence has surged since he has been able to play consecutive games. Being part of the team and training consistently has contributed to him finding his rhythm, and it’s thrilling to witness.”

Johns mentioned that Marshall, who has undoubtedly secured maximum points on at least four occasions since voting was sealed after Round 16, possesses an advantage over his closest Dally M competitors.

“I imagined Kieran Foran would be in a strong position, but his suspension this week will definitely impact his chances. As for the Melbourne trio (Slater, Cronk, and Cameron Smith), their issue is that they tend to split points among themselves,” he noted.

According to NRL.com’s calculations, Marshall appears to be locked in a three-way contest with Thurston and Slater for the Dally M medal, with the Tigers star seemingly in the lead after yet another game-winning display against the Gold Coast on Monday night.

While Slater has also been exceptional lately, Thurston’s recovery has been gradual since suffering a severe knee injury during the State of Origin decider. His main advantage remains the six-point lead he had over second-placed Paul Gallen after 16 rounds.

However, several players have gained momentum and could pose a challenge as the weekend approaches. South Sydney halfback Chris Sandow has been pivotal in his team’s recent surge, while Warriors’ back-rower Feleti Mateo has also accumulated points as the season winds down. It appears that Glenn Stewart from Manly may have missed his chance after the incident at Brookvale last Friday night.

Despite the intensity of the competition, the majority of former Dally M winners who spoke with NRL.com favored Marshall for the award in 2011, with ex-Balmain captain Wayne Pearce asserting it would be well-earned.

“I believe he has definitely earned at least three unmistakable man-of-the-match honors since Round 16, and I suspect he would have scored points in three more, making him a formidable contender,” Pearce stated.

“He has maintained a remarkably consistent season, marking his best performance in terms of avoiding injuries.

“That has been the major hurdle throughout his career—his capacity to be on the field week after week. This year, he has managed to participate in virtually every match, and continue playing…”so well.

“It’s a really prestigious reward, and if he wins it, I believe it will be thoroughly deserved.”

Although Slater, Marshall, and Thurston have their spots secured, the competition for the remaining positional awards is more intense than ever.

Lock of the Year will be particularly intriguing, with three players in contention. Cronulla captain Paul Gallen was well ahead of his competitors and held the second position overall when voting moved to a closed format. However, a streak of seven consecutive losses has diminished his chances. On the other hand, the compelling performance of Manly’s Glenn Stewart has positioned him as a strong contender, along with Brisbane’s Corey Parker, who remains a plausible outside option.

In the front row, Matthew Scott and Aiden Tolman are leading candidates for Prop of the Year, while Feleti Mateo’s outstanding recent form is likely to earn him the Second-Rower of the Year title.

St George Illawarra veteran Matt Cooper is a strong favorite for Centre of the Year, and the battle for Winger of the Year features contenders like Nathan Merritt, Manu Vatuvei, and Akuila Uate. Notably, Merritt has shone recently, scoring nine tries across three games in Rounds 21-23, including five against Parramatta.

Dally M count after Round 16
24 Johnathan Thurston
18 Paul Gallen
15 Kieran Foran
15 Billy Slater
14 Glenn Stewart
14 Cooper Cronk
14 Cameron Smith
13 Benji Marshall
12 Chris Sandow
11 Corey Parker
10 Feleti Mateo

by Buford Balony

Newsletter

Join our mailing list to receive the latest news directly in your email inbox.