James Tedesco has held off a desperate late lunge from Cameron Smith to take out his first Dally M Medal.
The Roosters fullback and Smith were separated by just three points – 33 to 30 – heading into the final round.
But Smith could only poll a single point from Melbourne’s win over the Cowboys, while Tedesco also picked up a point playing in a beaten Roosters side.
Tedesco finished on 34 points with Smith second on 31.
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He becomes then first Rooster to win the Dally M since Todd Carney in 2010.
Tedesco’s win continues a remarkable 12-month run that have many in rugby league now rating him the game’s premier player.
Over the past year, the Roosters superstar has won:
* A premiership ring 2018
* Jack Gibson Medal (Roosters player-of-the-year 2018)
* Man-of-the-match award (Aust v Tonga 2018)
* World Club Challenge Medal
* State of Origin series 2019
* Wally Lewis Medal (Origin player-of-series)
* Brad Fittler Medal (NSW)
* NSWRL People’s Choice Award
You can now add the 2019 Dally M to his collection, with a second consecutive premiership potentially around the corner if his team beats Canberra in Sunday night’s decider.
Smith was a late withdrawal from Dally M night but Tedesco was on hand with a big Roosters contingent to accept the award.
“It’s obviously a huge honour to receive this award, I just want to thank the Sydney Roosters club, Nick (Politis) Robbo (coach Trent Robinson), all the staff and of course the players,” Tedesco said on stage.
“… Again I can’t thank Robbo enough for his guidance and definitely I’ve become a better player under him and the whole Sydney Roosters club.
“I want to thank mum and dad and my whole family. I brought mum along and she’s enjoyed herself tonight, so I can’t thank her enough for what they‘ve done for me my whole life.”