Cameron Smith weighs in on controversy over Nicho Hynes' Dally M
Two-time Dally M winner Cameron Smith has rubbished claims Cronulla's favourable draw gave this year's recipient Nicho Hynes a rails run to the NRL's top individual reward.
The Sharks halfback picked up a record 38 votes to top the pool from James Tedesco (33) and Ben Hunt (32), becoming the first Cronulla player in 21 years to take home the trophy.
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It was one of the most emphatic wins in Dally M history but still some critics came for Hynes, pointing out his side's "easier" draw allowed him to consistently pick up points playing teams from outside the top eight.
But the No.7 has a strong supporter in Smith, who was awarded the Dally M in 2006 and 2017 and believes they got this year's winner dead right.
"There's been a lot of feedback and texts saying the system's flawed and it doesn't truly reflect the best player in the comp," Smith told his Radio SEN audience.
"He (Hynes) didn't complete the draw for the NRL and say 'listen, we'll play more bottom eight sides than what we will top eight sides'.
"Whether the draw was favourable for the Sharks and Nicho this year, it's null and void.
"If you if go back in the history of the entire Dally M voting and all the winners, you'd probably find a handful of guys that had favourable draws compared to the rest of the competition.
"Nicho just went out and played his best football this year and played against the opposition that was in front of him.
"He picked up the points, that's just the way it is."
Cam Smith defends Dally M voting system
Smith also defended the voting system, which sees experts award points to the best three players in each game on a 3-2-1 basis.
"That's what it is and it's worked many, many times in the past," the former Storm skipper said.
"There's many different ways you can look at it, but at the end of the day (Hynes) was given votes by people that understand the game and have been involved for a long time.
"He is this year's Dally M winner and a deserving winner."
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