Joey Manu dudded as NRL fans blow up over Dally M votes for opening round
The Dally M voting system has once again caused uproar after round one.
NRL fans have been left bewildered after Joey Manu did not receive a single vote for lighting up Las Vegas with the Roosters, while Nicho Hynes picking up a maximum of six points has also baffled supporters. The superstars of the game were back on show in Australia this weekend with a number of upsets taking centre stage in the NRL.
And the Dally M votes were released on Monday after the completion of round one. Unfortunately, the recent rule change to allow two judges to score three, two and one has again caused drama with a number of standout players missing out.
The biggest exclusion was Roosters centre Manu. The exciting back produced arguably the moment of the round with his sensational try assist for the Roosters as they stunned the Broncos in Las Vegas. Manu also scored a try himself and made seven tackle breaks to showcase his enormous talent in front of an American audience.
However, Manu's performance was deemed not good enough to score a single point in the Dally M voting. While few could argue James Tedesco deserved five points, losing rival Adam Reynolds was awarded a vote over Manu. Many would argue Reynolds wasn't close to the top five players on the field with the Roosters dominating the game. The Las Vegas games were not the only issue NRL fans had with the voting over round one.
Here we go again !
Two stand outs for me are….
Adam Reynolds had a very ordinary match yet someone thought he was the 3rd best player.
Joey Manu gets zero.
And how does any player get points after their team is flogged 43-18 ?
Anything else ? pic.twitter.com/Jz3wd30crU— The Oracle (@BigOtrivia) March 10, 2024
Nicho Hynes scores six points in Sharks win
The Sharks' defence proved immense against the Warriors and the away side was able to come up with an unlikely 16-12 victory on Saturday. Despite the Sharks winning an epic duel in New Zealand, fans were left stunned 2022 Dally M winner Hynes was granted three points from both judges in the contest. Hynes helped command the Sharks around the park in the second half in the epic comeback victory.
However, fans could argue rival halfback Shaun Johnson outshone Hynes in a losing side. Veteran forwards Addin Fonua-Blake and Tohu Harris also combined for 324 running metres and were arguably best on ground. Hynes will be one of the favourites to win another Dally M in 2024, but there was plenty of confusion from fans who watched the game in New Zealand.
Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow earns a point after horror moment
Another game that caused controversy was the Cowboys' 43-18 demolition of the Dolphins. Maroons star Hamiso Tabuai—Fidow was not at his best for the Dolphins, but managed to earn a point from one of the judges, despite the brutal scoreline. This is despite Tabuai-Fidow gifting the Cowboys a try after a moment of madness at the back. Murray Taulagi put in a grubber kick that the Dolphins fullback looked to have easily covered.
RELATED:
But instead of diving on the ball and taking the tackle from the Cowboys players rushing in, Tabuai-Fidow bizarrely tried to kick the ball off the ground. He kicked it into the hands of a Cowboys player who ran to score a try. Last year, the Dally M switched to the two judges voting system to try and eliminate a rogue vote. Despite the move from the NRL, fans have taken aim at some of the round one scores to start the season.
Hynes receiving any points, let alone 6, is all you need to know about this "award". Then again, when you listen to the people who regularly vote, you understand they have no idea what's going on. NRL media is absolutely pathetic
— Sport Capper (@SportsCapper83) March 11, 2024
Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow gets a Dally M point in the Dolphins’ 43-12 loss to North Queensland. I reckon if you asked Hamiso, even he’d say it was in the five worst games he’s ever played.
It’s laughable he got a point for that. How? #NRL— Scott Bailey (@ScottBaileyAAP) March 10, 2024
Reyno getting 1 Dally M point out of Vegas is absolutely wild, wouldn’t have been in the 5 best Broncos players there
— Broncos Rebuild (@BroncosRebuild) March 11, 2024
Maybe I watched a different game, but how did Nicho Hynes get 6 #DallyM votes?? #NRL
— Callum #Whatever (@Bombers83) March 10, 2024
Manu not getting a point is nuts
— Rewster (@Rewster7) March 10, 2024
Credit to Hynes for the massive tackle at the end of the game. He was nowhere near the best player on the field
Talakai had his measure in spades and I’m sure 1-2 others did too
The Dally M is a joke— 91 03 21 22 23 PREMIERS 🐾🏆 (@SnoogThe) March 10, 2024
I always laugh when I see these posts about the Dally M voting each year. Looks like the people voting aren’t watching the game because the usual ridiculous scoring of votes hasn’t changed. Dally M award is still a farce.
— Rocco (@RocBSyd) March 11, 2024
Sign up to our newsletter and score the biggest sport stories of the week.
