NRL 2021: Dally M Votes, Luke Keary, Daine Laurie, Dally M leaderboard, James Tedesco, Sydney Roosters, Wests Tigers
The Dally M’s controversial points-scoring system is under fire again after Sydney Roosters halfback Luke Keary’s masterclass against the Wests Tigers went unrewarded.
Keary was at his classy best in the 40-6 win on Sunday, finishing with an imposing stats line that would have earned him man-of-the-match honours in most games.
The 29-year old had four try assists, two linebreak assists, two linebreaks, 74 running metres, 19 tackles and 316 kicking metres in an all-round dominant display.
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Keary though did not receive a single point, with judge Sam Thaiday instead giving three points to Brett Morris, two to James Tedesco and one to Tigers fullback Daine Laurie.
Morris scored three tries, busted six tackles and ran for 197 metres in the win while Tedesco was also at his devastating best with two tries, 11 tackle breaks and 181 running metres.
The decision to give Laurie a point in a team that was outclassed by 34 points has caused the most controversy though.
Admittedly, the Tigers fullback was far and away his side’s best on a dismal afternoon with 178 running metres, nine tackle busts and three linebreaks.
But Fox League commentator Andrew Voss could not believe Keary did not poll a single point given Laurie, in spite on his stellar individual effort, played in a team that lost by 34 points.
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“We’ve got a massive problem,” he said on SEN 1170’s Breakfast with Vossy.
“Let’s not make light of this. The Dally Ms are meant to be the most prestigious award in rugby league. You can talk about ‘it’s personal judgment and all that’ but the round one call on James Tedesco only getting one point when he set up three tries and scored three himself – that was a farce.”
For context, Tedesco had three tries, six tackle busts, three try assists, four linebreak assists and 98 run metres in the 46-4 win over Manly last week.
“Now we’ve topped it. We have a new gold medal winner,” Voss continued.
“Sam Thaiday what were you watching? Did you see the bloke wearing the seven for the Roosters.
“The authority and dazzle Luke Keary played with yesterday, I’ll put it in his top 20 games of his career and he hasn’t picked up a point in the Dally M voting.
“Daine Laurie was elusive when he touched the ball but how on earth did he get a point ahead of Luke Keary. What the hell is going on? We have a crisis here.”
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While Brett Morris etched his name into the record breaks by becoming the first player to score hat-tricks in the opening two rounds, Voss added Keary still deserved the full three points.
“Brett Morris, I will say this – has he got the three points because of the feat,” he said.
“It was a great feat but he wasn’t the best on the field. I would’ve given the three to Keary, two to Tedesco – you can take your pick. Keary has not picked up a point from yesterday. That is a joke.”
While voting will always be a subjective process, an overhaul of the Dally M system has been floated before by Peter V’landys.
Last year he suggested every player be ranked out of 10 for every game before adding up those points to determine the Dally M medallist.
He said at the time that it would address players who are in a strong team where multiple stars are competing for points.
The Daily Telegraph reported last month that idea was one of many on the agenda as an advisory panel met to discuss proposed changes.
DALLY M VOTES ROUND 2
Eels vs Storm
3 – Reed Mahoney
2 – Maika Sivo
1 – Ryan Papenhuyzen
Warriors vs Knights
3 – Bradman Best
2 – Roger Tuivasa-Sheck
1 – Jayden Brailey
Titans vs Broncos
3 – Tino Fa’asuamaleaui
2 – David Fifita
1 – Ash Taylor
Bulldogs vs Panthers
3 – Jarome Luai
2 – Viliame Kikau
1 – Brian To’o
Sea Eagles vs Rabbitohs
3 – Latrell Mitchell
2 – Damien Cook
1 – Benji Marshall
Cowboys vs Dragons
3 – Ben Hunt
2 – Valentine Holmes
1 – Daniel Alvaro
Tigers vs Roosters
3 – Brett Morris
2 – James Tedesco
1 – Daine Laurie
Sharks vs Raiders
3 – Joseph Tapine
2 – Josh Papalii
1 – Hudson Young
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