LeagueNews.co | Jason Patrick
The NRL's prestigious Dally M awards are just around the corner, with fans eagerly awaiting to see who will claim the biggest individual prize in the game.
Since the voting went 'behind closed doors' in 2024, there have been some significant changes in the leaderboard that have kept fans on the edge of their seats.
Penrith fullback Dylan Edwards had been leading the count, but his campaign took a hit as he represented the Blues and battled through injuries that kept him sidelined for a number of games.
Meanwhile, Nicho Hynes, who was hot on Edwards' heels, has also been missing in action since round 18.
The Dally M medal is a highly coveted award that is presented to the NRL's best and fairest player.
Points are awarded by an expert panel after every regular season game, with the leaderboard being made public up until round 12 before voting becomes confidential.
While the official date for the awards ceremony has not been announced, in recent years it has typically taken place during grand final week.
Last year, the awards were held at Randwick Racecourse, with this year's likely date set for the 25th of September.
As the countdown to the Dally M awards continues, fans and players alike are eagerly awaiting to see who will come out on top and be crowned the NRL's best player of 2024.
It's sure to be a thrilling conclusion to what has been an action-packed season filled with ups and downs, twists and turns, and plenty of memorable moments on the field.