SEN’s Denan Kemp believes that Penrith Panthers fullback Dylan Edwards is an outside chance to snare the Dally M Medal from favourites Ben Hunt or Nicho Hynes.
Dragons halfback Ben Hunt was leading the tally after Round 12 with 19 votes before voting went behind closed doors.
Penrith lock Isaah Yeo was on 17 votes whilst Nicho Hynes (16), Mitch Moses (15) and Ryan Papenhuyzen (15) rounded out the top five.
Kemp believes Edwards, who was on 13 votes after round 12, has had a consistent season and has stood up for his side in the absence of Nathan Cleary and Jerome Luai.
“I think it’s a race between Hynes, Ben Hunt and a smokey could be Dylan Edwards,” Kemp said on SEN 1170 The Captain’s Run.
“Nathan Cleary has been out a bit with injury at the start of the season, went away for Origin and is now out for the rest of the (home and away) year.
“Edwards has had the best year of his career by a mile.
“He’s in a team that’s constantly winning and he is usually their best player.”
Rugby league great Cameron Smith disagreed and said that due to the overall strength of the Panthers, Edwards’ teammates like Yeo, Viliame Kikau and James Fisher-Harris may steal votes from him.
Smith’s tip to win the award is Ben Hunt due to his stellar performances on a team that has largely struggled for consistency but also believes that Hynes will challenge Hunt.
“I think the way Ben Hunt has played this year, he may have put a bit of a gap on them,” Smith said.
“He played well in Origin and then he played well when he came back. “He’s been doing it all.
“(Hynes) started the year on fire.
“He’s been a huge part of that team and it wouldn’t surprise me for him to be around the top as well.”