Knights largely left out in NRLW Dally M team shortlist
NRLW minor-premiers Newcastle have been largely snubbed by Dally M judges, with only four Knights players shortlisted for positional awards.
The dominant team of 2023, Newcastle dropped only one game in the regular season before qualifying for their second straight grand final on Sunday with a 30-24 win over Brisbane.
The defending premiers will enter Sunday's decider at Accor Stadium as firm favourites, with rivals Gold Coast playing the first final in the club's history.
But there is not so much support from the judges ahead of Wednesday's Dally M Medal.
Of Newcastle's star-studded team, only four players have been shortlisted for the team of the year.
They are fullback Tamika Upton, winger Sheridan Gallagher, centre Shanice Parker and second-rower Yasmin Clydsdale.
That cohort pales in comparison to the Titans, who have nine players shortlisted, and the Sydney Roosters and Brisbane who each have seven.
Halfback Jesse Southwell, her sister Hannah and prop Caitlan Johnston are the most surprising Knights omissions from the shortlist.
Hannah Southwell has also been overlooked for captain of the year, but coach Ronald Griffiths is nominated for the coaching award alongside Titans mentor Karyn Murphy and Canberra coach Darrin Borthwick.
The NRL shortlists three players for each of the 13 spots in the team.
Judges vote on the best player in each position after each round, with players who receive the most votes across the NRLW season winning a spot in the team.
The top three vote-getters in the overall NRLW Dally M player of the year tally also automatically earn selection in the side.
AWARDS SHORTLIST
* Fullback of the Year - Teagan Berry (St George Illawarra), Evania Pelite (Gold Coast), Tamika Upton (Newcastle)
* Winger (two winners) - Jakiya Whitfeld (Wests Tigers), Sheridan Gallagher (Newcastle), Julia Robinson (Brisbane), Jayme Fressard (Sydney Roosters), Shakiah Tungai (Canberra), Destiny Mino-Sinapati (Gold Coast)
* Centre (two winners) - Annessa Biddle (Cronulla), Mele Hufanga (Brisbane), Jaime Chapman (Gold Coast), Shanice Parker (Newcastle), Jessica Sergis (Sydney Roosters), Isabelle Kelly (Sydney Roosters)
* Five-eighth - Gayle Broughton (Brisbane), Tarryn Aiken (Sydney Roosters), Zahara Temara (Canberra)
* Halfback - Raecene McGregor (St George Illawarra), Lauren Brown (Gold Coast), Ali Brigginshaw (Brisbane)
* Hooker - Destiny Brill (Brisbane), Emma Manzelmann (North Queensland), Brittany Breayley-Nati (Gold Coast)
* Prop (two winners) - Ellie Johnston (Cronulla), Millie Boyle (Sydney Roosters), Sarah Togatuki (Wests Tigers), Jessika Elliston (Gold Coast), Brianna Clark (Brisbane), Shannon Mato (Gold Coast)
* Second row (two winners) - Kezie Apps (Wests Tigers), Shaylee Bent (Gold Coast), Otesa Pule (Sydney Roosters), Olivia Kernick (Sydney Roosters), Yasmin Clydsdale (Newcastle), Mahalia Murphy (Parramatta)
* Lock - Mariah Denman (Brisbane), Simaima Taufa (Canberra), Georgia Hale (Gold Coast)
* Coach - Ronald Griffiths (Newcastle), Karyn Murphy (Gold Coast), Darrin Borthwick (Canberra)
* Captain - Georgia Hale (Gold Coast), Ali Brigginshaw (Brisbane), Simaima Taufa (Canberra)
* Rookie - Annessa Biddle (Cronulla) China Polata (North Queensland), Rilee Jorgensen (Gold Coast)
