But this season, the NRL has introduced a new system which will see the TOTY category go from 1-13. Craig Gower 2003 Dally M Medal: Campaign to give Panthers legend the award. The Dally M Medal is awarded each year (annually) to the player voted for as the 'Player of the year' over the National Rugby League (NRL) regular season. DM4 STEVE PRICE . "We offered our further concession and that wasn't enough, so we decided that we couldn't really move any further," he said. Brad Fittler has backed the growing campaign to retroactively award Panthers great Craig Gower the 2003 Dally M Medal, but admits it might be too late for the gesture. Latrell Mitchell Out For The Season After Rupturing Tendon. The NSW star is the first Raiders player since Laurie Daley in 1995 to clinch the medal for best player of the season, and just the third from the club in the award's 42-year history. Gutherson set up two tries in the Eels' 28-24 win over the Wests Tigers, while Cleary's halves partner Jarome Luai earned points in Penrith's 42-0 win over Canterbury. Mastermind of 17-straight wins, Ivan Cleary was named coach of the year, while halfback Nathan Cleary, prop James Fisher-Harris, second-rower Viliame Kikau, lock Isaah Yeo and centre Stephen Crichton were all picked in the team of the year. Cleary will enter the NRL's slimmed-down gala awards night as heavy favourite, with Jack Wighton, James Tedesco, Clint Gutherson and Cameron Smith the other likely contenders. Page 1 of 2 1 2 Next > edabomb First Grade. The 27-year-old finished on 26 points ahead of Parramatta fullback Gutherson (25) and Penrith favourite Nathan Cleary on 24. Mr Butterfield revealed that the players would hold their own awards ceremony in December as the NRL said it would take the extraordinary step of destroying this year's Dally M votes. He was named at hooker in the team of the year with Storm teammate Josh Addo-Carr was selected on one of the wings. Named after the man credited with giving the fledgling game of Rugby League a credible draw card, the Dally M Medal is an award for brilliance, consistency and durability. We've a lot of people involved in this event and it's not fair to them to have it hanging with that sort of uncertainty.". Wighton was rested for Canberra's 38-28 win over Cronulla, while Gutherson and Cleary did not poll votes despite playing crucial roles in their team's round 20 wins. Nathan Cleary can become the youngest Dally M medal winner since Jarryd Hayne if he receives the NRL's prized individual honour on Monday night. In past seasons, the Dally M Team of the Year had been awarded to one player only in each position. The NRL said the move would mean that the results of this year's cancelled ceremony would never be known. Because of this the 2003 Dally M Medal was not awarded. This item will be posted through the Global Shipping Program and includes international tracking. Mr Butterfield revealed that the players would hold their own awards ceremony in December as the NRL said it would take the extraordinary step of destroying this year's Dally M votes.