NZ Warriors star Shaun Johnson has narrowly missed out on being crowned as the NRL's Dally M Medal winner, finishing one point behind Newcastle Knights fullback Kalyn Ponga.
Johnson, 33, was in the running to become just the second Warriors player to win the coveted award, after former captain Roger Tuivasa-Sheck was named as the competition's best player in 2018.
In 25 games, Johnson scored eight tries and registered a career-best tally of 30 assists, as the key figure in the Warriors run to the NRL preliminary final - where they were beaten by Brisbane Broncos last weekend.
Ponga's individual efforts in the Knights' run to the end of the NRL season - including 10 consecutive wins, before their playoff defeat to the Warriors - saw him do enough to creep ahead of Johnson by a single point.
In 20 games this year, Ponga scored nine tries - one more than Johnson - but registered nine less assists with 21.
Ponga's win is made all the more remarkable, after he missed six rounds with concussion and even headed overseas to a specialist in Canada to help save his season.
"It's a pretty crazy feeling, standing up here in front of so much talent," Ponga said. "I had an early season holiday and while I was over there, I decided that I wanted to stop letting people down and start making people proud.
"I think I came back and did that, and what a year."
In better news for the Warriors, Andrew Webster was named as the NRL's Coach of the Year, recognising the work he'd done in his first season in charge of the club.
"I just want to thank the boys, I love you so much," said Webster. "From the first day of training to here, it's unreal.
"We've got an amazing thing going on at the moment and it's a special thing that's happening in New Zealand."
Webster, 41, is the first Warriors coach to win the award, since Daniel Anderson in 2002. He took over a Warriors side that finished 15th in the 2022 season, but helped rebuild the club on and off the field to secure a return to the NRL playoffs for the first time since 2018.
All up, the the Warriors won 17 games this season and came within one game of reaching a first Grand Final since 2011.
Webster's victory saw him take the honour over former mentor Ivan Cleary of Penrith Panthers, who recommended him for the job at his former club.
Meanwhile, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak was named Winger of the Year, alongside NZ Kiwis teammate Jamayne Isaako of the Dolphins, in the NRL's team of 2023, after he scored a club record 24 tries for the Warriors.
Johnson was named as the Halfback of the Year, beating Nathan Cleary of the Panthers and Manly Sea Eagles captain Daly Cherry-Evans.
Addin Fonua-Blake also added to the Warriors' honours by being named as one of two props in the Team of the Year, alongside Payne Haas of Brisbane Broncos.
Tohu Harris couldn't claim the honour of being named NRL Captain of the Year, which went to Adam Reynolds, who led Brisbane Broncos to their first Grand Final since 2015. Wayde Egan fell to Melbourne Storm rake Harry Grant for the Hooker of the Year award.
Former NZ Sevens star, turned Melbourne Storm winger William Warbrick missed out on the award for Rookie of the Year, which went to Penrith opposite Sunia Turuva.
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