The Dally M Medal is awarded annually to the player voted for as the 'best and fairest' over the entire National Rugby League (NRL) regular season. The award has existed since 1980, but has only been adopted as the official award for the Player of the Year in the NRL since 1998. As well as honouring the player of the year, who received the Dally M Medal, awards are also given to the premier player in each position, the best coach, the best captain, representative player of the year and the most outstanding rookie of the season. The awards are named in honour of former Australian rugby league great Herbert Henry "Dally" Messenger.