Cronulla-Sutherland halfback Nicho Hynes has won the Dally M as the NRL's best player, polling the highest ever total of 38 points.
The Sharks playmaker, who was also named as halfback in the team of the year, beat James Tedesco (33 points) and Ben Hunt (32 points) to the crown at Randwick Racecourse.
Hynes is the first Sharks player to win the Dally M since Preston Campbell in 2001.
"I can't believe it to be honest," Hynes said.
"I just come here tonight extremely grateful to be here, surrounded by great players.
"Five years ago I was sitting at home watching this, I was only dreaming about being here, I didn't even think I'd ever be here."
Five years is a long time in sport though, and after a stunning debut season with the Sharks, Hynes came into the NRL's night of nights as one of a handful of favourites to take out the award.
Trailing Hunt by three points after round 12, at which point the voting went behind closed doors, Hynes polled the maximum three points in five of his last 11 matches to storm home and claim the award with two rounds to spare.
"It doesn't say a whole lot about me, it says a lot about [Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon] and my teammates," Hynes said of his late-season consistency.
"I can't do anything on the field if it isn't for my teammates.
"It's a team sport isn't it? My teammates back me and trust me to be their seven, I can't thank those guys enough."
Hynes was also awarded the Provan-Summons Medal for his efforts to raise awareness of mental health issues, particularly his post-match interview in the wake of Paul Green's death.
Isaah Yeo was named NRL captain of the year and lock in the team of the year — one of three Panthers in the side.
The Roosters also had three players in team of the year, Tedesco at full back, Joseph Sua'ali'i on the wing and Joseph Manu at centre.
Cowboys coach Todd Payten was named as coach of the year after leading North Queensland to third spot on the ladder, having finished 15th the season prior.
Young Cowboys star forward Jeremiah Nanai was named in the second row of team of the year and as Rookie of the year.
Roosters five-eighth Raecene McGregor capped a superb season by winning the NRLW Dally M award.
"I just want to say I'm really honoured to get this award," she said.
'"I'm really proud and I'm really grateful for the Roosters to pick me up last minute there and give me the opportunity to play in this beautiful club and to give me another chance to play here again."
McGregor beat out Tamika Upton and Tarryn Aiken to the top prize — and was also named halfback in the women's team of the season.
Newcastle's 17-year-old Commonwealth Games 7's gold medal-winning star Jesse Southwell was named as rookie of the year, while Sydney Roosters coach John Strange was coach of the year.
Look back on how all the action unfolded at Randwick Racecourse.
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Live updates
By Simon Smale
Thanks for following along
We're going to wrap things up here for now.
There will be plenty of analysis to come from tonight from Nick Campton, as well as in the build up to this weekend's NRL and NRLW grand finals.
But from me this evening, that's just about it.
Thanks for following the count along with me and congratulations to Nicho Hynes and Raecene McGregor for capping their superb seasons with the highest individual gong the game has to offer.
We'll see you again on Sunday.
Good night.
By Simon Smale
Hynes thanks his mum, and the Storm
Hynes thanks the Sharks, both backroom staff, fellow players and fans for making him feel so welcome.
He also thanks the Storm, his former club.
"You're probably gunna think I'm a bit of a weirdo for thanking my old club," he said.
"The Melbourne Storm, I wouldn't be standing here today without the Melbourne Storm.
"I never forget where I came from and they gave me my first opportunity to be an NRL player so, thank you guys."
By Simon Smale
'It's a team sport isn't it?' Hynes
Hynes is still speaking.
"It doesn't say a whole lot about me, it says a lot about Fitzy and and my teammates," Hynes said of his astronomical total.
"I cam't do anything on the field if it isn't for my teammates.
"Fitzy started that by getting me to the club and Deano as well.
"It's a team sport isn't it? My teammates back me and trust me to be their seven, I can't thank those guys enough."
By Simon Smale
Final Dally M polling
Here's the final totals:
Nicho Hynes 38
James Tedesco 33
Ben Hunt 32
Dylan Edwards 23
Scott Drinkwater 23
Mitch Moses 22
Daly Cherry-Evans 21
Isaah Yeo 20
Cam Munter 19
Harry Grant 19
By Simon Smale
Congrats for Nicho Hynes
Congratulations Nicho !!! Well deserved !!! From a Wiganer living in Belarus
- Peter
By Simon Smale
Nicho Hynes wins the Dally M
His tally of 38 points is the highest in polling history.
"I can't believe it to be honest," Hynes says.
"I thought Benny Hunt was taking it out for sure, or Teddy.
"I just comehere tonight extremely grateful to be here surrounded by great players.
Five years ago I was sitting at home watching this, I was only dreaming about being here, I didn't even think I'd ever be here.
"I just came here expecting to have a good night and just catch up with some friends."
By Simon Smale
NRL round 22 and 23
Munster 3
Hunt 1
Hynes 3
Hynes is streaking away with this now.
Tedesco got 2 votes in round 23.
And 3 votes for Nicho Hynes which means he can't be caught!
By Simon Smale
Raecene McGregor is your NRLW Dally M player of the year
New Zealander Raecene McGregor is the player of the year!
The Roosters star has had a standout year and is fully deserving of the award.
"I just want to say I'm really honoured to get this award," she says.
"There's so many girls out there who definitely deserve this award so I'm definitely grateful to receive it.
"I'm really proud and I'm really grateful for the Roosters to pick me up last minute there and give me the opportunity to play in this beautiful club and to give me another chance to play here again."
By Simon Smale
NRL team of the year
Props: Joseph Tapine and Payne Haas
Hooker: Api Koroisau
Second row: Viliame Kikau and Jeremiah Nanai
Lock: Isaah Yeo
Five-eighth: Cameron Munster
Half: Nicho Hynes
Centres: Joseph Manu and Valentine Holmes
Wingers: Joseph Suaalii and Alex Johnston
Fullback: James Tedesco
By Simon Smale
NRLW team of the year
Prop: Caitlan Johnston and Millie Boyle
Second row: Keilee Joseph and Olivia Kernick
Lock: Simaima Taufa
Wingers: Teagan Berry and Jaime Chapman
Centres: Isabelle Kelly and Jess Sergis
Five-eighth: Tarryn Aiken
Half: Raecene McGregor
Hooker: Keeley Davis
Full back: Sam Bremner
By Simon Smale
NRL and NRLW team of the year
The NRL and NRLW Dally M. teams of the year are coming in thick and fast.
Like, very fast. Perhaps the booking is running out at Randwick?
By Simon Smale
NRL round 20 and 21
Moses 3
Tedesco 3 and 3
Hynes 3 and 3
Drinkwater 3
Burton 1
Yeo 1
Edwards 3
Nicho Hynes is sprinting away with 32 points, Tedesco is 27, Hunt on 25 and Edwards on 23.
Is it Hynes' to lose?
By Simon Smale
NRLW Round 3 polling
Kelly, 1 vote
Bremner 2 votes
Aiken 3 votes
Upton 3 votes
R McGregor 3 votes.
Tamika Upton and Raecene McGregor lead the polling, but Upton misses the next two rounds so cannot get any more votes.
It seems unlikely that McGregor will be quiet enough to not poll, but you never know.
By Simon Smale
You can only watch the Dally M on Fox Sports/Kayo
Why isnt this on tv??
- Mike
By Simon Smale
Todd Payten is NRL coach of the year
Todd Payten gets the award ahead of Ivan Cleary, Trent Robinson and Craig Fitzgibbons.
The Cowboys mentor has done a terrific job in the tropical north.
He calls it "a nice consolation" for last week's disappointment, but I'm not 100 per cent sure he means it...
He wishes Brad and Ivan all the best in Sunday's grand final.
He thanks his wife and all the wives and partners, saying how taxing it is on them having a player or coach for a partner.
He asks them to keep propping them up and make them better on and off the field.
"Our game is so tough," he says to "all the players in the room".
This is by far the longest speech we've had tonight. And why not, let him have his moment.
He now thanks his Cowboys players.
He says he can "guarantee that I'll be pushing you all on for the next little period".
By Simon Smale
John Strange is NRLW coach of the year
Strange of the Sydney Roosters got the biggest reaction in the room when his nomination was announced and it's he who gets the nod!
He beat Jamie Soward, Dean Widders and Ron Griffiths to the award.
By Simon Smale
NRL round 18 and 19
James Tedesco 3
Adam Reynolds 3
Nicho Hynes 3
Ben Hunt 3
It's pretty much as you were.
Hynes leads Hunt by 1 point, but Tedesco is lurking too, sitting in third spot.
By Simon Smale
In Memorium
Time to recognise the former players we've lost this year now.
Lots of former players are named, but the reel finishes with Johnny Raper, Norm Provan and Paul Green prominently displayed on screen.
