Dally M Awards the year. Between 1979 and 1996, when both the Dally M Medal and Rothmans Medal were awarded, the same player won both awards on only three occasions - Peter Sterling in 1987, Gavin Miller in 1989 and Ricky Stuart in 1993. In 1997, when the game was split between the News Limited-organised Super League competition and the ARL, News Limited did not hold the awards. The only other time the awards night has not been held was in 2003, following a dispute with the Rugby League Players Association (RLPA). After the players had threatened to boycott the event unless the
AFL Players Association awards players. The "Herald Sun"s Mark Robinson (2000, 2002) and "The Age"s Emma Quayle (2009, 2012) are only journalists to have won the award twice. "Herald Sun" chief football writer Mike Sheahan won the award in 2008 for his article on Simon Goodwin and his gambling addiction. The Trophy was created in honour and memory of the late Grant Hattam who was a leading sports and media lawyer (with Corrs Chambers Westgarth). Given annually since 2001 to the player who displays the best all-round performance in balancing football with external education and training. Awarded annually to young aspiring non-AFL players, attempting