If there was any doubt 2012 has been Canterbury’s year, it was emphatically removed at the Dally M awards on Tuesday night.
Three days after claiming the remarkable club achievement of minor premierships in NRL, Toyota Cup and NSW Cup, the Bulldogs dominated rugby league’s awards night.
Not only were star fullback Ben Barba, winner of the Dally M medal, and Des Hasler, named coach of the year, acknowledged for their efforts this year, there were few awards that didn’t end up in the hands of someone from the blue and white.
Sam Kasiano (prop) and Josh Morris (centre) were named alongside Barba (fullback) in the NRL team of the year, while David Klemmer was named the Toyota Cup player of the year.
Barba picked up five awards himself claiming fullback of the year honours, the Provan-Summons medal, finishing equal top try-scorer and winning the Peter Frilingos headline moment.
Gold Coast were the only other team to pick up multiple awards, with Nate Myles named the game’s leading second-rower and best representative player for winning the player-of-the-series award for Queensland in this year’s State of Origin win.
As expected Cronulla’s Paul Gallen (lock), Melbourne pair Cameron Smith (hooker) and Cooper Cronk (halfback) and Newcastle winger Akuila Uate all retained their places in the team of the year.
North Queensland captain Johnathan Thurston was named five-eighth of the year.