LeagueNews.co | Cooper McEnroe
The Dally M Awards faced a lukewarm reception from fans after the recent broadcast, reflecting a sentiment echoed by some of the league's prominent figures.
Although Ricky Stuart, the Coach of the Year from the Canberra Raiders, and nominee Cameron Ciraldo from the Canterbury Bulldogs were present, they represented a dwindling number of attendees.
This year's ceremony marks one of the lowest turnouts for coaches in recent memory, indicating a significant cultural shift regarding one of the NRL's hallmark events.
Only a handful of coaches, including Ciraldo, Stuart, Andrew Webster from the New Zealand Warriors, Craig Fitzgibbon of the Cronulla Sharks, and Kristian Woolf from the Dolphins, showed interest in attending.
In contrast, a staggering 12 coaches opted out of the event entirely, notably including the mentors of this weekend's Grand Final teams, Craig Bellamy and Michael Maguire.
While Des Hasler and Adam O'Brien, both recently let go from their respective positions with the Gold Coast Titans and Newcastle Knights, were not expected to make an appearance, the absence of many others has raised concerns regarding the Dally M Awards' stature and significance in the NRL.
Moreover, the absence of the entire Newcastle Knights' squad added to the uneasy atmosphere of the evening.