Dally M Medal Dally M Medal The Dally M Medal is awarded each year (annually) to the player voted for as the 'Player of the year' over the entire National Rugby League (NRL) regular season. The awards are named in honour of former Australian rugby league great Herbert Henry "Dally" Messenger. The award has existed since 1979, but has only been adopted as the official award for the Player of the Year in the NRL since 1998. Prior to that the official Player of the Year, in both the New South Wales and the Brisbane Rugby Leagues, received the Rothmans Medal whilst 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