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Top 5 betting tips for the NRL Dally M Medal

Posted on 14/02 by Joe Gann

Top 5 betting tips for the NRL Dally M Medal

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 The Dally M is the prize awarded to the outstanding overall performer in an NRL season; it is the pinnacle of individual achievement and recognition in the sport.

The medal is named after the legendary Herbert Henry “Dally” Messenger and the concept was first conceived by the Daily Telegraph in 1980.

In its original guise, the award was seen as secondary to the Rothman’s medal but since the advent of the NRL, the Dally M has become the official top prize for players. During the period of 1980 – 1996 when both accolades were up for grabs, only three players managed to claim both in the same season – Peter Sterling in 1987, Gavin Miller in 1989 and Ricky Stuart in 1993.

Consistency is key when it comes to the award of the trophy and journalists vote on a game by game basis, judging the scores on a 3 -2-1 scoring system.

The current joint holders are Melbourne Storm’s Cooper Cronk and Jason Taumalolo from the North Queensland Cowboys – only the second time in history that the trophy has been shared, the first being 2014 when Jarryd Hayne and Johnathan Thurston tied for the prestigious honour.

With the season yet to begin, all candidates are equal and the year ahead remains a blank canvas.

The hectic close season is now behind us in which all teams have been busy trying to strengthen their roster ahead of the big kick-off next month – see our 2017 preview for details of how the off-season changes may improve or hamper each player’s chances.The time is now to place those bets and secure the best possible odds.


Here are our five leading contenders for the 2017 Dally M:


Johnathon Thurston

The Cowboys’ maestro appears to be in his usual majestic form already if his sublime man of the match performance for the Indigenous All-stars is anything to go by. Although 2016 was a sparse year by his standards, JT still sets the standard for others to follow.

This year will be his swansong at representative level after deciding to dedicate his final year solely to the Cowboys. The North Queensland skipper will be hoping to continue the relentless trophy gathering that has become the narrative of his career so far.

A 2 time Premier, the highest all time Origin points’ scorer making 36 consecutive Origin appearances in the process, the only man in the history of the game to win this trophy four times, the first ever 3 time golden boot winner for world’s best player, his list of achievements is astonishing.

Now 33, and with the end of an illustrious career on the horizon, will the future immortal bring down the curtain on his playing days with more success? The Cowboys remain a top side despite the disappointments of last year and will be a force again in 2017.

Recommended Bet
J Thurston to win Dally M @ $8.00 $250 Bonus Bet*



Anthony Milford

Milford finished his solid 2016 campaign as an ever present - playing in all of the Broncos 26 matches, scoring 14 tries, kicking 8 goals and kicking 4 field goals.

The club will be hoping that the former Raiders star can kick on from a promising year; at 22 years old, the immensely talented Samoan international is one of the game’s most exciting prospects.

After establishing a potent combination in the halves with Ben Hunt, news that his fellow playmaker has defected to the Dragons has left Milford disappointed but determined to make the most of their last NRL season together. Milford is set to be the big beneficiary of Hunt’s switch with the Broncos reportedly preparing a $2.7m deal to keep the attacking sensation at the club.

The 3 year deal would represent the biggest outlay on a single player in the club’s history; testament to the faith that the powers that be have in him developing into pivotal figure at the club going forward.

Recommended Bet
A Milford to win Dally M @ $15.00 $250 Bonus Bet*



Cooper Cronk

2017 will see the Melbourne stalwart heading into his 14th season of first grade footy. Last term, Cronk was key to Melbourne clinching the NRL minor premiership before the Storm were beaten to the Premiership by Cronulla.

On the back of his 2nd Dally M medal and first Golden Boot - claiming the title of world’s best player at the same time - 2016 was a magnificent year for the Storm half-back.

Rounding off a superb season for the Storm number 7 in which he also became just the 25th player to become a member of the 300 game club, he was also named player of the tournament after steering Australia to Four Nations success in England at the end of year.

Next term, he will have the responsibility of mentoring Cameron Munster as the young Queenslander moves into the halves to accommodate the returning Billy Slater at full-back. His impeccable kicking game and leadership skills will be the main attributes that the Storm will be hoping that his apprentice can emulate in the upcoming years.

Recommended Bet
C Cronk to win Dally M @ $10.00 $250 Bonus Bet*



Jason Taumalolo

Joint holder of the award alongside Cronk, he became the first forward since Cameron Smith in 2006 and also the first non-hooking forward since Cronulla’s Gavin Miller in 1989 to claim the trophy.

Recognised as Lock of the year for the second year in a row and also Cowboys Player of the Year and Players’ Player of the Year to cap off a tremendous season on a personal level for the North Queensland powerhouse; his performances helped to offset the disappointment of the club falling short in their quest to retain the Premiership.

Several questions surround Taumalolo at present: Will his off-season visit to the NFL prove to be a distraction? Can he continue his superb progress of the last few years? Does his future lie in the NRL?

He is still only 23, and a potential superstar of the game if he can be persuaded to remain in the code. Following both Taumalolo and Valentine Holmes’ controversial stint in the U.S, the NRL have taken the drastic step of banning contracted players from attending off-season trials, a signal of the mounting concern at the highest level to prevent top talent being lured away.

There may be a lesson to be learned from Jarryd Hayne’s ultimately unsuccessful attempt to forge a career in the States and it would be a huge boost to the game should a player of his calibre commit his future to the NRL.

Recommended Bet
J Taumalolo to win Dally M @ $17.00 $250 Bonus Bet*



Jarryd Hayne

Just 6 months on from his dramatic return to the NRL, the former Eels’ man is already making noises that suggest that the Titans won’t be his long term home.

Recent comments surrounding his future hint that his restless nature will resurface sooner or later and another departure from the code is a distinct possibility, this time a switch to European Rugby has been mooted as a likely option.

A 2- time Dally M winner, Hayne was at the zenith of his career prior to his move stateside and it will be fascinating to see if he can rekindle that level of consistency once more. Blessed with an abundance of natural talents that has enabled him to perform in League, Union and American Football, he was approached by Greater Western Sydney about a code switch that would have seen the versatile athlete taking up Australian Rules football.

A return to the level he was at before his NFL experiment in which he performed a clean sweep of 2014 Dally M Player of the year, Full-back of the year, Representative of the year and top try scorer would cement an astonishing comeback.

After a quiet return mid-way through last season, he should feel the benefit of a full pre-season of training in addition to a return to the more familiar full back slot.

Now 29 years old and still supremely gifted, he is undoubtedly the jewel in the crown of the Gold Coast club who have made some astute signings in the off-season.

Recommended Bet
J Hayne to win Dally M @ $26.00 $250 Bonus Bet*



Cameron Smith

Another future immortal and modern day great, Smith has racked up a staggering array of awards over an imperious career.

The Captain of Melbourne Storm, Queensland and the Australian National side and all-time Origin appearances record holder, here we have another legend at the tail end of his playing career.

This season will see him pass the 350 appearances tally, another landmark for a man who became the first Storm player to reach the 1000 points barrier, the first player to win 20 Origin games and the first Storm player to reach the 300 games marker.

His personal trophy cabinet also includes the 2006 Dally M, Hooker of the Year, Wally Lewis Medal, Representative of the Year, Golden Boot, Grand Final, World Club Championship and World Cup medals.

His presence in the Storm line-up is of vital importance and his consistent excellence help make the Victorian side a formidable outfit. They will be looking to go one step better following the heartache of last year’s Grand Final defeat and with Smith’s influence at the heart of everything they do, it’s hard to back against a Melbourne appearance at ANZ Stadium again in October.

A Clive Churchill Medal is the only thing missing from his mantelpiece and the addition of a second Premiership would be the icing on the cake of an incredible career of one of the finest players to ever grace the game.

Recommended Bet
C Smith to win Dally M @ $13.00 $250 Bonus Bet*





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