The Dally M Medal is awarded annually to the player voted for as the 'best and fairest' over the entire National Rugby League (NRL) regular season. 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. As well as honouring the player of the year, who received the Dally M Medal, awards are also given to the premier player in each position, the best coach, the best captain, representative player of the year and the most outstanding rookie of the season. The awards are named in honour of Australian former rugby league great Herbert Henry "Dally" Messenger. +Contents197919801981198219831984198519861987198819891990199119921993199419951996199719981999200020012002200320042005200620072008200920102011201220132014201520162017201820192020202120222023202420252026 __NOTOC__ 1979 Player of the Year: Steve Morris (St George Dragons)
1980 Player of the Year: Robert Laurie (South Sydney) Fullback: Brian Johnson (St George) Winger: John Ribot (Western Suburbs) Centre: Michael Cronin (Parramatta) Five-eighth: Robert Laurie (South Sydney) Halfback: Kevin Hastings (Eastern Suburbs) Lock: Jim Leis (Western Suburbs) Second row: Nathan Gibbs (South Sydney) Prop: Craig Young (St George) Hooker: John Lang (Eastern Suburbs) Coach: Roy Masters (Western Suburbs) Top pointscorer: Steve Gearin (Canterbury)
1981 Player of the Year: Steve Rogers (Cronulla) Fullback: Greg Brentnall (Canterbury) Winger: Terry Fahey (Eastern Suburbs) Centre: Michael Cronin (Parramatta) Five-eighth: Mick Pattison (South Sydney) Halfback: Kevin Hastings (Eastern Suburbs) Lock: Steve Rogers (Cronulla) Second row: Mark Graham (North Sydney) Prop: Dane Sorensen (Cronulla) Hooker: Jeff Masterman (Eastern Suburbs) Coach: Bob Fulton (Eastern Suburbs) Rookie: Jeff Masterman (Eastern Suburbs)
1982 Player of the Year: Ray Price (Parramatta) Fullback: Greg Brentnall (Canterbury) Winger: John Ribot (Manly-Warringah) Centre: Michael Cronin (Parramatta) Five-eighth: Mitchell Cox (North Sydney) Halfback: Kevin Hastings (Eastern Suburbs) Lock: Ray Price (Parramatta) Second row: Mark Graham (North Sydney) Prop: Don McKinnon (North Sydney) Hooker: John Gray (North Sydney) Coach: Jack Gibson (Parramatta) Top pointscorer: Michael Cronin (Parramatta)
1983 Player of the Year: Terry Lamb (Western Suburbs) Fullback: Graham Eadie (Manly-Warringah) Winger: Kerry Boustead (Manly-Warringah) Centre: Michael Cronin (Parramatta) Five-eighth: Terry Lamb (Western Suburbs) Halfback: Peter Sterling (Parramatta) Lock: Ray Price (Parramatta) Second row: Paul Vautin (Manly-Warringah) Prop: Dave Brown (Manly-Warringah) Hooker: Billy Johnstone (Canterbury) Coach: Bob Fulton (Manly-Warringah) Top tryscorer: Phil Blake (Manly-Warringah) Top pointscorer: Mike Eden (Eastern Suburbs)
1984 Player of the Year: Michael Potter (Canterbury) Fullback: Michael Potter (Canterbury) Winger: Steve Morris (St George) Centre: Steve Ella (Parramatta) Five-eighth: Terry Lamb (Canterbury) Halfback: Peter Sterling (Parramatta) Lock: Ray Price (Parramatta) Second row: Noel Cleal (Manly-Warringah) Prop: Steve Roach (Balmain) Hooker: Royce Simmons (Penrith) Coach: Tim Sheens (Penrith)
1985 Player of the Year: Greg Alexander (Penrith) Fullback: Garry Jack (Balmain) Winger: John Ferguson (Eastern Suburbs) Centre: Steve Ella (Parramatta) Five-eighth: Neil Baker (Souths) Halfback: Greg Alexander (Penrith) Lock: Ray Price (Parramatta) Second row: Peter Wynn (Parramatta) Prop: Craig Young (St George) Hooker: Ben Elias (Balmain) Coach: Roy Masters (St George) Rookie: Steve Linnane (St George)
1986 Player of the Year: Peter Sterling (Parramatta) Fullback: Garry Jack (Balmain) Winger: Les Kiss (North Sydney) Centre: Michael O'Connor (St George) Five-eighth: Terry Lamb (Canterbury) Halfback: Peter Sterling (Parramatta) Lock: Ray Price (Parramatta) Second row: Noel Cleal (Manly-Warringah) Prop: Steve Roach (Balmain) Hooker: Mal Cochrane (Manly-Warringah) Coach: George Piggins (South Sydney) Rookie: Paul Sironen (Balmain Tigers)
1987 Player of the Year: Peter Sterling (Parramatta) Fullback: Gary Belcher (Canberra) Winger: Steve Morris (Eastern Suburbs) Centre: Michael O'Connor (Manly-Warringah) Five-eighth: Terry Lamb (Canterbury) Halfback: Peter Sterling (Parramatta) Lock: Wayne Pearce (Balmain) Second row: Hugh McGahan (Eastern Suburbs) Prop: Ian Roberts (South Sydney) Hooker: Mal Cochrane (Manly-Warringah) Coach: Wayne Bennett and Don Furner (Canberra)
1988 Player of the Year: Gavin Miller (Cronulla) Fullback: Garry Jack (Balmain) Winger: John Ferguson (Canberra) Centre: Michael O’Connor (Manly-Warringah) Five-eighth: Wally Lewis (Brisbane) Halfback: Allan Langer (Brisbane) Lock: Wayne Pearce (Balmain) Second row: Gavin Miller (Cronulla) Prop: Sam Backo (Canberra) Hooker: Ben Elias (Balmain) Coach: Phil Gould (Canterbury) Top tryscorer: John Ferguson (Canberra) Top pointscorer: Gary Belcher (Canberra)
1989 Player of the Year: Gavin Miller (Cronulla) Fullback: Gary Belcher (Canberra) Winger: Michael Hancock (Brisbane) Centre: Tony Currie (Brisbane) Five-eighth: Phil Blake (South Sydney) Halfback: Greg Alexander (Penrith) Lock: Bradley Clyde (Canberra) Second row: Gavin Miller (Cronulla) Prop: Steve Roach (Balmain) Hooker: Kerrod Walters (Brisbane) Coach: George Piggins (South Sydney)
1990 Player of the Year: Cliff Lyons (Manly-Warringah) Fullback: Gary Belcher (Canberra) Winger: Ashley Gordon (Newcastle) Centre: Mal Meninga (Canberra) Five-eighth: Cliff Lyons (Manly-Warringah) Halfback: Ricky Stuart (Canberra) Lock: Bradley Clyde (Canberra) Second row: Paul Sironen (Balmain) Prop: Martin Bella (Manly-Warringah) Hooker: Kerrod Walters (Brisbane) Captain: Gene Miles (Brisbane) Coach: Tim Sheens (Canberra)
1991 Player of the Year: Michael Potter (St George) Fullback: Michael Potter (St George) Winger: Rod Wishart (Illawarra) Centre: Mal Meninga (Canberra) Five-eighth: Terry Lamb (Canterbury) Halfback: Greg Alexander (Penrith) Lock: Des Hasler (Manly-Warringah) Second row: John Cartwright (Penrith) Prop: Craig Salvatori (Eastern Suburbs) Hooker: Steve Walters (Canberra) Coach: Warren Ryan (Western Suburbs)
1992 Player of the Year: Gary Freeman (Eastern Suburbs) Fullback: Michael Potter (St George) Winger: Willie Carne (Brisbane) Centre: Brad Fittler (Penrith) Five-eighth: Terry Lamb (Canterbury) Halfback: Gary Freeman (Eastern Suburbs) Lock: Ian Russell (Illawarra) Second row: John Cartwright (Penrith) Prop: Glenn Lazarus (Brisbane) Hooker: Ben Elias (Balmain) Captain: Michael Beattie (St George) Coach: Graham Murray (Illawarra) Rookie: Matthew Rodwell (Newcastle)
1993 Player of the Year: Ricky Stuart (Canberra) Silver Dally M: Ian Roberts (Manly-Warringah) Bronze Dally M: Mitch Healey (Cronulla) Fullback: Rod Silva (Eastern Suburbs) Wing: Noa Nadruku (Canberra) Centre: Brad Fittler (Penrith) Five-eighth: Terry Lamb (Canterbury) Halfback: Ricky Stuart (Canberra) Prop: Ian Roberts (Manly-Warringah) Hooker: Steve Walters (Canberra) Second row: Bob Lindner (Illawarra) Lock: Jim Dymock (Canterbury) Captain: Michael Potter (St George) Coach: Chris Anderson (Canterbury) Provan-Summons Medal (People's Choice): Ricky Stuart (Canberra) Rookie: Jack Elsegood (Manly-Warringah) Representative player: Paul Sironen (City Origin, NSW and Australia) Top tryscorer: Noa Nadruku (Canberra) Top pointscorer: Daryl Halligan (North Sydney) Junior Dally M: Kris Flint (St Gregory's College, Campbelltown)
1994 Player of the Year: Cliff Lyons (Manly-Warringah) Silver Dally M: Jim Serdaris (Western Suburbs) Bronze Dally M: Allan Langer (Brisbane) Fullback: Brett Mullins (Canberra) Wing: Daryl Halligan (Canterbury) Centre: Andrew Ettingshausen (Cronulla) Five-eighth: Cliff Lyons (Manly-Warringah) Halfback: Allan Langer (Brisbane) Prop: Ian Roberts (Manly-Warringah) Hooker: Jim Serdaris (Western Suburbs) Second row: Steve Menzies (Manly-Warringah) Lock: Brad Fittler (Penrith) Captain: Mal Meninga (Canberra) Coach: Peter Louis (North Sydney) Provan-Summons Medal (People's Choice): Bradley Clyde (Canberra) Rookie: Steve Menzies (Manly-Warringah) Representative player: Ben Elias (NSW) Top tryscorer: Steve Renouf (Brisbane) Top pointscorer: Daryl Halligan (Canterbury) Junior Dally M: Michael Withers (John Paul II, Marayong)
1995 Player of the Year: Paul Green (Cronulla) Silver Dally M: Cliff Lyons (Manly-Warringah) Bronze Dally M: Andrew Johns (Newcastle) Fullback: Matthew Ridge (Manly-Warringah) Winger: Sean Hoppe (Auckland) Centre: Jamie Ainscough (Newcastle) Five-eighth: Laurie Daley (Canberra) Halfback: Paul Green (Cronulla) Lock: Jim Dymock (Canterbury) Second row: Steven Menzies (Manly-Warringah) Prop: Danny Lee (Cronulla) Hooker: Steve Walters (Canberra) Captain: Paul Langmack (Western Suburbs) Coach: John Lang (Cronulla) Provan-Summons Medal (People's Choice): Terry Lamb (Canterbury) Rookie: Mat Rogers (Cronulla) Top tryscorer: Steven Menzies (Manly-Warringah) Top pointscorer: Matthew Ridge (Manly-Warringah) Junior Dally M: Nathan Cayless (Parramatta Marist Brothers)
1996 Player of the Year: Allan Langer (Brisbane) Silver Dally M: Laurie Daley (Canberra) Bronze Dally M: Jim Dymock (Parramatta) Fullback: Tim Brasher (Balmain) Winger: Noa Nadruku (Canberra) Centre: Andrew Ettingshausen (Cronulla) Five-eighth: Laurie Daley (Canberra) Halfback: Allan Langer (Brisbane) Lock: Jim Dymock (Parramatta) Second row: David Fairleigh (North Sydney) Prop: Paul Harragon (Newcastle) Hooker: Jim Serdaris (Manly-Warringah) Captain: Laurie Daley (Canberra) Coach: David Waite (St George) Provan-Summons Medal (People's Choice): Laurie Daley (Canberra) Rookie: Glenn Morrison (Balmain) Top tryscorer: Noa Nadruku (Canberra) Top pointscorer: Jason Taylor (North Sydney) Junior Dally M: Chris Smith (John Paul II Marayong)
1997 Not awarded Provan-Summons Medal (People's Choice): Brad Fittler (Sydney Roosters)
1998 Player of the Year: Andrew Johns (Newcastle) Fullback: Darren Lockyer (Brisbane) Winger: Marcus Bai (Melbourne) Centre: Darren Smith (Brisbane) Five-eighth: Brad Fittler (Sydney Roosters) Halfback: Andrew Johns (Newcastle) Lock: Tawera Nikau (Melbourne) Second row: Steven Menzies (Manly-Warringah) Prop: Dean Pay (Parramatta) Hooker: Jason Hetherington (Canterbury) Coach: Chris Anderson (Melbourne) Rookie: Mark McLinden (Canberra) Top pointscorer: Ivan Cleary (Sydney Roosters) Provan-Summons Medal (People's Choice): Andrew Johns (Newcastle)
1999 Player of the Year: Andrew Johns (Newcastle) Fullback: David Peachey (Cronulla) Winger: Nathan Blacklock (St George Illawarra) Centre: Ryan Girdler (Penrith) Five-eighth: Brad Fittler (Sydney Roosters) Halfback: Andrew Johns (Newcastle) Lock: Jason Smith (Parramatta) Second row: Gorden Tallis (Brisbane) Prop: Matt Parsons (South Sydney) Hooker: Geoff Toovey (Manly-Warringah) Coach: John Lang (Cronulla) Captain: Brad Fittler (Sydney Roosters) Representative: Mat Rogers (Cronulla & Queensland) Rookie: Michael Vella (Parramatta) Top try-scorer: Nathan Blacklock (St George Illawarra) Top point-scorer: Matt Geyer (Melbourne) Provan-Summons Medal (People's Choice): Andrew Johns (Newcastle)
2000 Player of the Year: Trent Barrett (St George Illawarra) Fullback: David Peachey (Cronulla) Winger: Nathan Blacklock (St George Illawarra) Centre: Ryan Girdler (Penrith) Five-eighth: Trent Barrett (St George Illawarra) Halfback: Brett Kimmorley (Melbourne) Lock: Jason Croker (Canberra) Second row: Nathan Hindmarsh (Parramatta) Prop: Shane Webcke (Brisbane) Hooker: Craig Gower (Penrith) Coach: Wayne Bennett (Brisbane) Rookie: Tasesa Lavea (Melbourne) Top tryscorer: Nathan Blacklock (St George Illawarra) Provan-Summons Medal (People's Choice): Andrew Johns (Newcastle)
2001 Player of the Year: Preston Campbell (Cronulla) Fullback: Darren Lockyer (Brisbane) Winger: Nathan Blacklock (St George Illawarra) Centre: Nigel Vagana (Canterbury) Five-eighth: Adam Dykes (Cronulla) Halfback: Preston Campbell (Cronulla)