NORTH Queenland Cowboy Johnathan Thurston is set to collect his third Dally M medal for the NRL player of the year award tonight.
Should Thurston win and add the 2014 gong to his 2005 and 2007 victories he will equal the feats of Newcastle Knight Andrew Johns as the only three-time winner of the award.
Parramatta fullback Jarryd Hayne was among the favourites as the Eels attempted to charge into their first finals appearance since the 2009 grand final.
But late losses to Newcastle and then Canberra over the final two rounds not only cost the Eels a playoffs berth, but could also cost the NSW fullback his second player of the year award after his win in 2009.
British prop James Graham might be a dark horse after helping inspire Canterbury to their second grand final in two seasons while his countryman Sam Burgess is also in with a shout.
