The countdown took place on Tuesday October 2, 2013 at the Star Event vast big room near Darling Harbour (actually it is the Casino). It was red carpet and all. There were easily a thousand guests.

Towards the end, as actor Russell Crowe opened the envelopes (sort of), it was anyone’s award (points are secretly stacked away during the season). Cooper Cronk – brilliant dedicated player from the Melbourne Storm received 28 points for the season. Three wonderful players tied for second – Jonathan Thurston, Daly Cherry-Evans, and Todd Carney. (The older bloke in the photo is me.)