Payne Haas has climbed onto the podium in the Dally M Medal standings following the Broncos’ impressive victory over the previously undefeated Bulldogs.
The 25-year-old earned five votes, tying with Adam Reynolds, as Brisbane’s key players dominated the ladder-leading Canterbury side.
Haas delivered a powerhouse performance, racking up 230 metres from 28 carries, along with six tackle busts, five offloads, a linebreak assist, and a try assist. He also made 26 tackles without a single miss.
Reynolds was equally outstanding, steering Brisbane to a commanding 34-0 lead at halftime and finishing with three try assists in their emphatic 42-18 win.
Meanwhile, Wests Tigers’ marquee signing Terrell May surged into second place on the leaderboard after a heroic showing in their golden-point victory over the Sharks.
May played an exhausting 84 minutes, ran for 203 metres from 29 carries, and tallied eight offloads, five tackle busts, and 36 tackles, with only one miss.
Despite Cronulla’s defeat, fullback Will Kennedy collected three votes to maintain his spot atop the leaderboard after eight rounds. Kennedy ran for 202 metres from 13 carries, scored a try, broke eight tackles, delivered an offload, and made a linebreak.
Elsewhere in Anzac Round action, Eli Katoa (Storm), Haumole Olakau’atu (Sea Eagles), and Luke Metcalf (Warriors) were the only players to receive the maximum six votes.
The Dally M voting is done anonymously by two independent judges at each NRL game, following a 3-2-1 points format. Full voting results are available on the NRL website until the leaderboard is closed to the public after Round 12.
Dally M Leaderboard after Round 8:
1st – Will Kennedy (Sharks) – 24 points
2nd – Terrell May (Tigers) – 23 points
3rd – Payne Haas (Broncos) – 21 points
4th – Jye Gray (Rabbitohs) – 20 points
5th – James Tedesco (Roosters) – 18 points
6th – Tom Dearden (Cowboys) – 17 points
7th – Cameron Munster (Storm) – 16 points
8th – Clint Gutherson (Dragons), Luke Metcalf (Warriors), Isaiya Katoa (Dolphins) – 15 points
