Former NZ Warriors back-rower Isaiah Papali'i has captured Dally M positional honours, just 12 months after departing the Auckland-based club for Sydney.
After leading the NRL's Hard-Earned index for the 2021 season, Papali'i has doubled down on his breakout season, sharing Back-Rower of the Year with Penrith Panthers rival Viliame Kikau.
After falling out of favour under Warriors interim coach Todd Payten last year, the club junior, who made his first-grade debut as a teenager in 2017, was released by the organisation and headed across the Tasman to Parramatta, where he was named Player of the Year in his first season.
While Manly fullback Tom Trbojevic took out the supreme Dally M Medal as the NRL's top performer in 2021, Kiwis James Fisher-Harris and Brandon Smith maintained the Kiwi presence at the ceremony.
Penrith's Fisher-Harris was named Prop of the Year, alongside Brisbane Broncos counterpart Payne Haas, while Smith took out Hooker of the Year, despite a job-sharing arrangement with State of Origin star Harry Grant throughout the Melbourne Storm campaign.
Named RLPA Rookie of the Year last week, Warriors newcomer Reece Walsh was denied the NRL honour, after copping two suspensions during his maiden season. Sydney Roosters half Sam Walker took the award instead.
2021 Dally M award winners were:
Dally M Medal: Tom Trbojevic (Manly Sea Eagles)
Captain of the Year: James Tedesco (Sydney Roosters)
Coach of the Year: Craig Bellamy (Melbourne Storm)
Rookie of the Year: Sam Walker (Sydney Roosters)
Provan-Summons Medal: Josh Morris (Sydney Roosters)
Top pointscorer: Reuben Garrick (Manly Sea Eagles)
Ken Irvine Medal (top tryscorer): Alex Johnston (South Sydney Rabbitohs)
VB Hard-Earned Award: Isaiah Papali'i (Parramatta Eels)
Team of the Year: Trbojevic, Garrick, Justin Olam, Matt Burton, Brian To'o, Cody Walker, Nathan Cleary, Isaah Yeo, Viliame Kikau, Papali'i, James Fisher-Harris, Brandon Smith, Payne Haas.
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