Why grand final run might not net Knights coach Dally M
Scott Bailey |
Newcastle’s fairytale finals run won’t be factored into Dally M coach of the year voting, but Knights players insist Justin Holbrook should still take the prize.
Holbrook’s magical first year at the Knights could be recognised at the NRL’s gala event on Wednesday night, as one of several key prizes up for grabs.
Nathan Cleary remains favourite to take home the top individual players’ honour, albeit with the Penrith superstar unable to attend given his horrific ankle injury.
Panthers teammate Dylan Edwards, North Queensland’s Scott Drinkwater and Sydney Rooster James Tedesco were the other players in the hunt when voting went behind closed doors after round 12.
Gold Coast’s Teagan Levi, Canberra’s Sheridan Gallagher, the Roosters’ Tarryn Aiken and Brisbane’s Tamika Upton will likely fight for the NRLW award, with Levi having made a splash in her first season in the competition from rugby sevens.
Canberra halfback Ethan Sanders and Melbourne forward Cooper Clarke are the two leading contenders for NRL rookie of the year.
Rising Newcastle star Francis Manuleleua could also have been in contention but has likely left his run too late, with his best performances coming in the finals.
The same could be said for Holbrook, who inherited a team that claimed the wooden spoon last season and now has them 80 minutes from a premiership.
Voting on both the coach of the year and rookie of the year is completed after the regular season, and therefore does not take into account Newcastle’s magical run.
It means Holbrook will be judged on the Knights’ seventh-placed finish, rather than his effort to take them to their first grand final in 25 years with several key players sidelined.
Ivan Cleary is another contender in light of Penrith’s minor premiership, as is Kristian Woolf after the Dolphins’ first finals and Andrew Webster at the Warriors.
Knights captain Kalyn Ponga believes Holbrook should win coach of the year.
“I’m pretty biased but you look at all the coaches that are up for that award and they all have a fair reason to win it,” Ponga said.
“The culture he’s created here, the environment that we get to come to work every day to is because of him. That’s the reason why we’re in this grand final.
“He’s getting so much out of everyone, young, old and he’s created an environment where we know what it means for this town so he deserves it.”
The Dally M process means any push for Ponga to be named captain of the year also won’t take into account Newcastle’s finals effort.
Knights players have spoken at length in recent weeks about the relaxed atmosphere Holbrook has set and how Ponga’s leadership has thrived within it.
“He had a great opportunity to come in with a fresh start,” injured halfback Dylan Brown said.
“There is no expectation, we came last (in 2025). Even if you come second-last, you’ve improved.
“But Justin has just flipped it on its head and he has brought in a calm nature. It’s a happy environment.
“Energy is contagious and Justin has great energy. So do a lot of the boys who have been stepping up through the year.”
AAP