The Dally M Awards the are the official annual awards presented to current players across a number of areas. See who picked up the awards in 2012. Follow @LeagueUnlimited during the night for all the updates as it happens. Be sure to join the conversation on Twitter using the hashtag #DallyM
Background: The event is held annually at Sydney's Royal Hall of Industries. The Dally M itself was created in 1980 and named in honour of the "little master" Herbert Henry "Dally" Messenger. The player of the year is determined by a 3-2-1 points system which is judged by a journalist for each game across the 26 rounds of the year.
At the end of 16 rounds, the public leader board goes "dark" and each round is announced who was awarded the points in each game on the night.
TOP TEN PLAYERS LEADERBOARD AFTER 26 ROUNDS 32 points - Ben Barba (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs) 26 points - Matt Bowen (North Queensland Cowboys) 25 points - Cooper Cronk (Melbourne Storm)
24 points - Johnathan Thurston (North Queensland Cowboys)
16 points - Todd Carney (Cronulla Sharks)AWARDS LIST Dally M Player of the Year: Ben Barba (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs)
Provan-Summons Medal: Ben Barba (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs) The "people's choice" award Nominations: Ben Barba (CBY) Greg Inglis (SOU) Nathan Merritt (SOU) Josh Morris (CBY)
Rookie of the Year: Adam Reynolds (South Sydney Rabbitohs) Nominations: Andrew Everingham (SOU) Aidan Sezer (GLD) Adam Reynolds (SOU) Konrad Hurrell (WAR) Alex McKinnon (NEW) Captain of the Year: Jamie Lyon/Jason King (Manly Sea Eagles) Nominations: Paul Gallen (CRO) Michael Ennis (CBY) Sam Thaiday (BRI) Jamie Lyon/Jason King (MAN) Cameron Smith (MEL)
Coach of the Year: Des Hasler (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs) Nominations: Michael Maguire (SOU) Craig Bellamy (MEL) Shane Flanagan (CRO) Des Hasler (CBY)
Top Tryscorer of the Year: Ben Barba (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs) / Ashley Graham (North Queensland Cowboys) :: 21 tries
Top Pointscorer of the Year: Jarrod Croker (Canberra Raiders) :: 220 points
Peter Frilingos Memorial Award: Ben Barba (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs) :: Massive length of the field try set up for Josh Morris against the Storm in Mackay (Round 16) Headline moment of the year Nominations: Ben Barba's length of the field try set up for Josh Morris against the Storm in Mackay "Yes V Can" - Dragons knock on the Roosters on ANZAC Day Greg Inglis "TRY" awarded in Origin Game I Last minute dash from Rabbitohs to down the Roosters
Toyota Cup Player of the Year: David Klemmer (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs)
TEAM OF THE YEAR
Fullback: Ben Barba (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs) Nominations: Greg Inglis (SOU) Ben Barba (CBY) Billy Slater (MEL) Matt Bowen (NQL)
Winger: Akuila Uate (Newcastle Knights) Nominations: Manu Vatuvei (WAR) Ashley Graham (NQL) Brett Morris (STI) Akuila Uate (NEW)