Manly Sea Eagles superstar Tom Trbojevic has won the 2021 Dally M Medal, to the surprise of absolutely nobody.
In what was an incredible campaign for the fullback, Trbojevic finished ahead of Nathan Cleary and Cody Walker after taking an unassailable five-point lead after round 24.
He finished on 35 points - five ahead of Cleary - and just one vote short of the all-time record held by Johnathan Thurston back in 2007.
The 24-year-old played just 15 games in the regular season, but managed to clinch the most prestigious individual award in the NRL.
Trbojevic scored 25 tries, produced 27 try assists and averaged 221 metres per game in an incredible individual season for Manly.
No surprises here after an incredible 2021 season for Tommy Turbo! 🔥
— Sporting News Australia (@sportingnewsau) September 27, 2021
DALLY M RESULTS: https://t.co/krVDEydxlu#NRL #DallyM pic.twitter.com/OXr9y9dFNZ
Your 2021 #DallyM Player of the Year!#ManlyForever pic.twitter.com/FBQcFIdW0g
— Manly Warringah Sea Eagles (@SeaEagles) September 27, 2021
Trbojevic also took home the Dally M Fullback of the Year award.
“I’ll start off by saying what an honour it is to win this award. I was just reading through the past winners, and to be recognised amongst that list is pretty special. I don’t think it will ever really sink in," he said after winning the award.
“I’ll start with the thank yous to the NRL and Queensland government. What they have done over the past three months is remarkable – transferring the whole game up here and being able to play footy, do what we love doing, everyone is very thankful for that.
"To the Manly boys, Des and Chez and the playing group – I couldn’t have done it without you. This medal is a beneficiary of all your hard work and effort, and I cant thank you enough for it.
"To the family back home, mum and dad, you know how much I love and miss you. I appreciate everything you have done for me over the years and like I said before, this medal is on the back of everything you have done for me.
"Without you two, I wouldn’t be getting it so big thank you."
Cleary's shoulder injury that he suffered during State of Origin prove costly, while Walker was perhaps hindered by a Rabbitohs' outfit littered with players capable of stealing votes from him each week.
The other thing that hurt Walker was a suspension he served during the year, which saw him docked three points in the voting.
Earlier in the night, Sydney Roosters duo Sam Walker (Rookie of the Year) and James Tedesco (Captain of the Year) took out major awards in what was a tough season for the club.
Storm coach Craig Bellamy took out the Dally M Coach of the Year award, after he helped steer his side to a minor premiership and an incredible winning streak.
For the full 2021 Dally M Medal results, click here .