Dally M Voting Sparks Fan Outrage: Gutherson and Tracey Left Out in the Cold
The Dally M awards, rugby league’s premier individual honour, are once again at the centre of a storm of fan frustration, with controversial voting decisions leaving supporters questioning the integrity of the system. Recent rounds have seen players like Clint Gutherson and Connor Tracey seemingly overlooked, igniting widespread debate and calls for an overhaul.
The latest controversy erupted following the Parramatta Eels’ 30-20 victory over the St. George Illawarra Dragons. Despite his team’s loss, Dragons fullback Clint Gutherson was a notable presence, contributing significantly with two linebreak assists and amassing over 200 running metres. However, the Dally M voting revealed a single point awarded to Gutherson, a decision that left many fans bewildered. They argued that a more accurate reflection of his performance would have seen him recognised more substantially.
Fans have pointed out one judge deemed Dragons fullback Gutherson was the third best player on the field against the Eels. There were a number of talking points coming out of the game with Ryan Couchman referred straight to the NRL judiciary for what appeared to be a hip-drop tackle on J’Maine Hopgood.
Adding to the debate, other Dragons players also received minimal points, with Jadyn Su’A earning two points and Gutherson and Jack Williams sharing a single point each. Meanwhile, Eels players Mitchell Moses and Bailey Simonsson were recognised for their strong performances, with Moses picking up six points. However, Simonsson, despite a solid showing, received no votes. This disparity has fuelled the perception that the judging panel is not consistently rewarding impactful performances across both teams.
The discussion intensified with the Bulldogs’ clash against the Canberra Raiders. Bulldogs fullback Connor Tracey delivered a match-winning performance, including a crucial try and a game-saving tackle in the dying minutes. Tracey’s offensive contributions were bolstered by an impressive 214 running metres. His defensive effort in the 79th minute, a desperate one-on-one tackle to deny Ethan Sanders a potential match-winning try, was hailed by many as the defining moment of the game.
Despite this heroic effort, one judge awarded Hudson Young three points, deeming him the best player on the field. While Young’s performance was acknowledged as strong, fans felt Tracey’s game-changing contributions were unfairly disregarded. Many argued that Tracey’s clutch play warranted the full three points, with one judge seemingly omitting him from the voting entirely.
Calls for Dally M System Overhaul
The ongoing Dally M judging controversies have not gone unnoticed by prominent figures in the rugby league world. NRL commentator Andrew Voss has been particularly vocal, expressing his deep dissatisfaction with the current voting system. Last week, Voss was incensed by the points awarded in the Newcastle Knights’ 36-16 win over the Manly Sea Eagles. He highlighted the fact that Manly’s Haumole Olakau’atu received two points despite his team’s significant loss and the standout performances of several Knights players.
Voss publicly called for the Dally M voting system to be scrapped and rebuilt from the ground up. Speaking on SEN Radio, he stated, “Blow it up. Blow it up today. You can’t just move on… it’s no fault of the player… it’s not a fair go to Newcastle. It’s not a fair go to rugby league fans.”
Voss’s frustration stems from a perceived lack of transparency and consistency in the judging process. He has advocated for the identities of the Dally M judges to be revealed to the rugby league community. This, he believes, would introduce a greater level of accountability and potentially enhance the credibility of the award. The current system, where judges’ decisions can lead to such widespread fan discontent, is seen by many as undermining the prestige of the Dally M Medal and the sport itself. The debate over fair recognition for players continues to be a hot topic, with fans demanding a more accurate and equitable system for awarding rugby league’s highest individual honours.
