Gould blows up over Dally M awards ‘tragedy’

Phil Gould has fired up over Lachie Galvin being ineligible for the Dally M rookie of the year award, declaring “he’s the rookie of the year from here to Mars”.
Galvin’s suspension for a hip drop tackle during the season means he’s out of the running for the award.
The Tigers five-eighth isn’t the only big name not on the list, with Parramatta Eels rookie Blaize Talagi a surprise omission.
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Talagi was considered to be a contender for the award after he scored 11 tries in 19 games in his debut season.
However, the Penrith bound utility has missed the list all together.
Blaize Talagi celebrating his try for Parramatta against the Broncos in Round 10. NRL Images
Dolphins winger Jack Bostock, Sharks centre Kayal Iro and Raiders half Ethan Strange are the three contenders.
With Galvin not in contention, Gould believes “the rules are wrong”.
“He’s 18, he wouldn’t know what a hip drop was. He’d think it’s a rock and roll song, he’d think it’s hip hop,” he said.
“He’s the best rookie in the competition.”
Phil Gould believes Lachlan Galvin should be rookie of the year.  Nine/Getty
Paul Gallen argued the Tigers winning the wooden spoon means that would’ve hurt Galvin’s chances.
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Gould didn’t agree.
“It’s not the wooden spoon award, it’s the rookie of the year award … it’s going to be a tragedy for our game that when he ends up one of the greatest players of all time that they didn’t have him down as the rookie of the year in his rookie year,” he said.
“Why? Because he did a hip hop tackle. Give me a break.”
Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the NRL’s biggest awards night.
This year’s Dally M Medal ceremony will be held during NRL grand final week on Wednesday, October 2 from 6:30pm AEST.
The red carpet will begin one hour beforehand at 5:30pm.
First awarded in 1979 to Dragons fullback Steve Morris, the Dally M Medal is bestowed to the best player during the regular NRL season.
The honour is named after Roosters legend Herbert ‘Dally’ Messenger.
Judges vote on a 3-2-1 basis after every match and the player with the most votes at the end of the regular season is crowned the winner.
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Players who are suspended lose three points, and become ineligible should they serve a multi-week ban or be suspended twice.
A full XIII is selected with two wingers, two centres, two props, and two second-rowers.
Awards for coach, captain and rookie of the season are also presented on the night.
Kalyn Ponga won the Dally M medal in 2023. Getty
2023 – Kalyn Ponga (Knights)
2022 – Nicho Hynes (Sharks)
2021 – Tom Trbojevic (Sea Eagles)
2020 – Jack Wighton (Raiders)
2019 – James Tedesco (Roosters)
2018 – Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (Warriors)
2017 – Cameron Smith (Storm)
2016 – Jason Taumalolo (Cowboys), Cooper Cronk (Storm)
2015 – Johnathan Thurston (Cowboys)
2014 – Jarryd Hayne (Eels), Johnathan Thurston (Cowboys)
2023 Dally M medal winners Kalyn Ponga and Tamika Upton. Getty
The Dally M points tally and leaderboard is publicised up until round 12 before the voting goes behind closed doors. At that point, this was the leaderboard.
Dylan Edwards (Panthers): 31 points
Nicho Hynes (Sharks): 30 points
Daly Cherry-Evans (Sea Eagles): 27 points
Isaah Yeo (Panthers): 24 points
James Tedesco (Roosters), Viliame Kikau (Bulldogs): 23 points