Dally M Medal 2016: Cooper Cronk and Jason Taumalolo tie to win league's top honour

Updated

Cooper Cronk and Jason Taumalolo have tied to win the Dally M Medal, each recording 26 points during the NRL season.

2016 Dally M Medal leaders Cooper Cronk (26)

Jason Taumalolo (26)

Cameron Smith (22)

Johnathan Thurston (22)

Ryan James (19)

Anthony Milford (19)

Mitchell Moses (18)

Josh Hodgson (18)

Sam Burgess (17)

Matt Moylan (17)

The Melbourne Storm half-back and North Queensland lock headed into the final round of counting level on 26 points, but neither managed to poll, meaning the league's top honour was shared for the second time in three years.

Cameron Smith and Johnathan Thurston followed in equal third on 22 points.

Taumalolo said he was happy to share the award with Cronk, but was modest when talking about his own outstanding season.

"I don't think I changed compared to last year, just run harder," he said.

"That's my gameplan heading into every game and I don't think that'll change for years."

Cronk, 32, has now won the Dally M for the second time after topping the league in 2013.

He joins a rare group of players to wear the medallion on more than one occasion, joining Peter Sterling, Mick Potter, Cliff Lyons, Andrew Johns, Gavin Miller, Thurston and Jarryd Hayne.

"A long time ago when I started, I would have sworn it wasn't possible … It's all because of Melbourne Storm," he said.

"For a good team and a good player to be anointed like this, it takes a lot of good people behind the scenes."

Cronk's prize night continues a historic week that includes joining the exclusive 300-game club, as well as helping the Storm qualify for Sunday's grand final against Cronulla.

Raiders take out captain-coach double

Melbourne dominated the positional awards, with Cronk (halfback), Smith (hooker) and Jesse Bromwich (prop) taking out three of the nine positional gongs.

Dally M winners' list Full-back of the year: James Tedesco

Winger: Josh Mansour

Centre: Joey Leilua

Five-eighth: James Maloney

Half-back: Cooper Cronk

Lock: Jason Taumalolo

Second-rower: Matt Gillett

Prop: Jesse Bromwich

Hooker: Cameron Smith

Coach: Ricky Stuart

Captain: Jarrod Croker

Representative: Cameron Smith

Female player: Kezie Apps

Moment of the year: Anthony Milford field goal (Rd 4, Broncos vs Cowboys)

Provan Summons medal: Jarrod Croker

Ken Stephen medal: Joel Thompson

Rookie: Ash Taylor

NYC player: Jayden Brailey

In his second season leading the Canberra Raiders, Jarrod Croker said he was humbled to be named captain of the year.

Meanwhile Canberra's Ricky Stuart was awarded best coach.

"It's not just about one person, it's about a number of people. Most importantly, it's about the players," Stuart said.

Cameron Smith won best representative player, on the back of Queensland's 2-1 Origin win.

Ash Taylor took out rookie of the year, a season after being named the best player in the national youth competition.

ABC/AAP

Topics: sport, rugby-league, nrl, australia

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