1. Jarryd Hayne - Eels - Absolute freak this year, with the emergence of Parra as a top 8 contender, he's lifted his game. Stellar in the Origin series where he won Game I for NSW and has been unstoppable.
2. Alex Johnston - Rabbitohs - Debuted on ANZAC Day back in Round 8 and scored a nice aerial try. Hasn't looked back since with 14 tries in 10 games to his name. Great combination with centre Dylan Walker.
3. Dylan Walker - Rabbitohs - Slow start to the year playing 5/8 but got back to his feet when he moved back to centre. Great game in City/Country and has exploded since. Great things to come from this 19 year old.
4. Steve Matai - Sea Eagles - Keeps pushing through injury to play on again and again and is explosive as ever. Can run a great line, steamroll over the opponent or put his winger in for a try. Great year from Steve.
5. Semi Radradra - Eels - Great try scoring record, currently leading with 16. Has become a cult hero at Parramatta and is currently improving, especially in defence and positioning. Can't believe he's only 22....destined for greater things should he keep improving
6. Jamie Soward - Panthers - Has helped lead the Panthers into the top 4, and has had a stellar first year at his new club. I feel like regular candidates like Thurston, Foran and Maloney have only begun to hit their straps, while Sowie has been consistent all year. Criticise all you want, but Soward has been great.
7. Daly Cherry-Evans - Sea Eagles - One of my tips for the Dally M. Has been clinical for the Sea Eagles' rise to the top, and will be their go to man in the big games. This kid oozes class, he can pass, kick, run and tackle at the highest level, he can follow a game plan to precision and play ad lib if need be. Will be the Sea Eagles, Kangaroos and Maroons Captain in a few years time.
8. Matt Scott - Cowboys - Until his injury in the middle of this year he was one of the form players in the comp. Continuously racking up 200+ metres, 20+ hit ups and 30+ tackles, he shows how a modern day prop plays. Was great in Origin also, and in his comeback from injury against the Titans, he showed that he hasn't slowed down one bit.
9. Jake Friend - Roosters - Unlike his teammates, this year Friend has grown an extra leg when it comes to his game. He's improved on his great form from last year, and has now become an 80 minute hooker. With an arsenal including regular 40+ tackles, a quick and precise running game, and now a kicking game to boot (excuse the pun), Friend has become one of the better hookers in the game, and he isn't a whinger like Farah, a grubby player like Smith nor a one dimensional player like Issac Luke. Will be the QLD hooker once Smith retires.
10. James Graham - Bulldogs - Another one of the more consistent front rowers in the game, Graham adds starch and a massive workrate to the Dogs pack. He has been in great form this year, crossing for a few tries and has had big games against the big teams. Auto pick for England later this year.
11. Aiden Guerra - Roosters - Another Rooster that hasn't gone downhill since last year's Grand Final win. Guerra has been consistent at club level with an explosive running game on the right hand side that has lead to some good tries. Earned a deserved QLD Origin call up and didn't play half bad. He'll get used to the Origin arena soon.
12. Kevin Proctor - Storm - Very underrated second rower in the comp who terrorises on the right hand side running great lines off Cooper Cronk as well as being integral in their set plays. Every time he gets involved on the right hand side something happens, a try a line break or just a great run. Should be in the mix for NZ come Four Nations time and should be integral in Melbourne's run to the playoffs.
13. Sam Burgess - Rabbitohs - My second choice for Dally M player of the year. Sure there's bias, but it's clearly justified in his statistics and impact for the Rabbitohs this year. In 18 games he's scored 7 tries, made 626 tackles (avg. 35 a game), run for 3087 metres (avg. 172 a game) from 264 hit ups (avg. 15 a game). If his injury doesn't keep him out too long, he's definitely a smokey for the Dally M, and if he keeps his form he will be monumental in Souths' push for premiership 21.
