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Players celebrate Dally M winner with incredible impromptu haka

New Zealand fullback Roger Tuivasa-Sheck has become the first Warriors player to win the Dally M medal, and he was honoured with an incredibly special performance.

The Warriors captain scooped the 2018 Dally M medal of the year award, and was also named best fullback for his stellar season – but the impromptu haka initiated by teammate Isaac Luke stole the show.

Luke’s spontaneous haka in the middle of the packed ballroom left viewers and attendees amazed at the scenes that unfolded, as Tuivasa-Sheck fought back tears from the ultimate show of respect.

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Roger Tuivasa-Sheck was honoured with an incredible spontaneous haka. Pic: Fox
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck was honoured with an incredible spontaneous haka. Pic: Fox

Tuivasa-Sheck polled 29 votes to win the league’s player-of-the-season award by two points from Newcastle’s Kalyn Ponga, with Cronulla’s Valentine Holmes in third.

As soon as the 25-year-old claimed his awards, the haka broke out – and fans quickly labelled it as the “best moment in Dally M history”.

Tuivasa-Sheck was humble as ever as he addressed the room full of people, drawing on his memory of watching Cooper-Cronk win the award in 2013.

“This is crazy,” Tuivasa-Sheck said.

“I remember siting there thinking that it would be a dream to win this award.

“I’m feeling truly blessed right now.”

In a sign of the changing times, none of the top five – which also included Luke Brooks and Mitchell Pearce – have previously polled in the top five positions at the Dally Ms during their career.

The Warriors fullback trailed by one vote with a round to go, but polled three points in the final round against Canberra while Ponga remained on the sideline injured.

Kiwi players initiated an impromptu haka in honour of Roger Tuivasa-Sheck winning the 2018 Dally M. Pic: Fox
Kiwi players initiated an impromptu haka in honour of Roger Tuivasa-Sheck winning the 2018 Dally M. Pic: Fox

In doing so, he became the first fullback to win the award since Ben Barba in 2012, as he averaged 167 metres a match and busted through a total of 92 tackles.

“He’s had a wonderful year for the footy club so he has to be a chance,” Warriors coach Stephen Kearney told AAP earlier on Wednesday.

“Everyone knows Rog for his attacking abilities but I thought a number of times this year he has saved tries for us. I thought that was a really good part for us.”

TEAM OF THE YEAR

Fullback: Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (Warriors)

Winger: Blake Ferguson (Roosters)

Centre: Joseph Leilua (Raiders)

Five-eighth: Cameron Munster (Storm)

Halfback: Luke Brooks (Wests Tigers)

Prop: Andrew Fifita (Sharks)

Hooker: Damien Cook (Rabbitohs)

Second rower: Josh Jackson (Bulldogs)

Lock: Jason Taumalolo (Cowboys)

Interchange: Jazz Tevaga (Warriors)

AWARDS

Rookie of the year: Jamayne Isaako

Coach of the year: Anthony Seibold

Captain of the year: Cameron Smith

Provan Summons medal: Damien Cook

Peter Frilingos Headline Moment of the year: NRL Women’s Origin

Ken Irvine medal: David Fusitu’a

Try of the year: Jamayne Isaako

Female player of the year: Brittany Breayley

with AAP.