NRL.com has pulled an article which claimed Cameron Smith was going to miss Wednesday night’s Dally Ms in Sydney after being struck down by gastro.

Smith is the only player with a realistic shot of stopping Roosters star James Tedesco from winning the 2019 Dally M Medal, according to bookmakers.

The Storm legend is on the second line of betting, creating a potential nightmare for NRL officials if he was to win but not be in attendance.

The report claimed a Melbourne official told NRL.com the Storm club doctor told Smith not to travel and the club was working on a makeshift plan if he was to poll the most votes.

But it was removed from the website around lunchtime on Wednesday.

Just before 1pm, Nine news reporter Danny Weidler confirmed the news that Smith would be set to miss the NRL’s night of nights.

Second favourite for Dally M Cam Smith has told the NRL he is not attending the awards tonight due to illness. James Tedesco is short priced favourite. — Danny Weidler (@Danny_Weidler) October 2, 2019

Smith already holds the record for the longest period in between Dally M player of the year awards with wins in 2006 and 2017.

Johnathan Thurston, who has famously won the awards four times, won his gongs between 2005 and 2015.

If Smith causes an upset over clear favourite James Tedesco, he will become just the third player in the award’s history to claim rugby league’s top individual prize three times, joining Andrew Johns on a hat-trick.

Parramatta’s Mitchell Moses is the only other roughy considered a chance of toppling Tedesco but is more than 10-1 with most bookies.

THE 2019 DALLY M AWARDS CEREMONY

Time: 8.30pm — 10pm with red carpet arrivals from 7pm (AEST).

TV: Live on Fox League

Venue: Hordern Pavilion, Moore Park, Sydney

DES HASLER TO JUMP RICKY FOR COACH GONG

Des Hasler’s efforts to take Manly from wooden spoon contenders to NRL finalists has him as the front runner to claim his second Dally M coach of the year award. While James Tedesco is the favourite for the main award, it is the coaching trophy which has garnered plenty of attention after an off-season of mass switches.

Hasler will lead a host of contenders for the category including Canberra grand final coach Ricky Stuart and Parramatta’s Brad Arthur.

Sea Eagles mentor Hasler has hated the attention around him all year and at one stage when asked quickly suggested several other coaches should be ahead of him. But after Manly won double the games they did last year to finish sixth and reached the second week of the finals, he is now the favourite.

“I reckon if he got it, he wouldn’t even want to go up on the stage,” Manly star Jake Trbojevic said.

“But Dessie has got to be up there, he’s a great coach and a good leader. “It would be deserved if he was up there and got it.

“He would hate us saying this. But he has been great for the club. “Everyone in the area loves having him back, after being so successful as a player and a coach at the club.” Hasler won the award in 2012 while at Canterbury, but never while in charge of his beloved Sea Eagles.

2019 DALLY M NOMINEES

Fullback of the year: Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad (Raiders), Clint Gutherson (Eels), Jahrome Hughes (Storm), James Tedesco (Roosters), Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (Warriors)

Winger of the year: Edrick Lee (Knights), Blake Ferguson (Eels), Daniel Tupou (Roosters), Josh Addo-Carr (Storm), Ken Maumalo (Warriors)

Centre of the year: Brian Kelly (Titans), Esan Marsters (Tigers), Jarrod Croker (Raiders), Latrell Mitchell (Roosters), Will Hopoate (Bulldogs)

Five-eighth of the year: Benji Marshall (Tigers), Cameron Munster (Storm), Cody Walker (Rabbitohs), Jack Wighton (Raiders), Luke Keary (Roosters)

Halfback prop of the year: Adam Reynolds (Rabbitohs), Chad Townsend (Sharks), Daly Cherry-Evans (Sea Eagles), Mitchell Moses (Eels), Mitchell Pearce (Knights)

Prop of the year: David Klemmer (Knights), Josh Papalii (Raiders), Paul Vaughan (Dragons), Payne Haas (Broncos), SioSiua Tauikeiaho (Roosters)

Hooker of the year: Cam McInnes (Dragons), Cameron Smith (Storm), Damien Cook (Rabbitohs), Josh Hodgson (Raiders), Robbie Farah (Tigers)

Second rower of the year: John Bateman (Raiders), Kenny Bromwich (Storm), Manu Ma’u (Eels), Ryan Matterson (Tigers), Sam Burgess (Rabbitohs)

Lock of the year: Cameron Murray (Rabbitohs), Dale Finucane (Storm), Jake Trbojevic (Sea Eagles), Jason Taumalolo (Cowboys)

Rookie of the year: Bronson Xerri (Sharks), Maika Sivo (Eels), Ryan Papenhuyzen (Storm), Briton Nikora (Sharks), Payne Haas (Broncos)

Coach of the year: Brad Arthur (Eels), Craig Bellamy (Storm), Des Hasler (Manly), Ricky Stuart (Raiders), Trent Robinson (Roosters)

DALLY M LEADERBOARD AFTER ROUND 12

Mitchell Pearce 15

Cameron Munster 14

Damien Cook 14

Jason Taumalolo 12

Cameron Smith 12

James Tedesco 12

Mitchell Moses 11

Cody Walker 10

Clint Gutherson 10

Chad Townsend 10

Payne Haas 10

Sam Burgess 10

Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 10

John Bateman 9

Cameron Murray 9

Siosiua Taukehaio 9

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck 9

DALLY M PLAYER OF THE YEAR WINNERS

2018 Roger Tuivasa-Sheck

2017 Cameron Smith

2016 Cooper Cronk and Jason Taumalolo

2015 Johnathan Thurston

2014 Jarryd Hayne and Johnathan Thurston

2013 Cooper Cronk

2012 Ben Barba

2011 Billy Slater

2010 Todd Carney

2009 Jarryd Hayne