An emotional Jahrome Hughes has admitted he had a tear in his eye after Melbourne teammates launched into a haka to honour his Dally M Medal.
In scenes reminiscent of fellow New Zealander Roger Tuivasa-Sheck's win in 2018, Melbourne winger Will Warbrick took over the Dally Ms to celebrate Hughes' award.
After holding off James Tedesco by one vote and landing the first big individual honour of his career, Hughes watched as Warbrick launched into a haka alongside Storm second-rower Eliesa Katoa and Canberra prop Joseph Tapine.
"That meant a lot," Hughes said.
"To see that brought a tear to my eye. For them to do that is truly special. For myself, my culture and family, it just topped off an awesome night.
"It's such a surreal feeling. I was nervous, I didn't come with too much expectations, but when it got down to the wire I was really nervous.
"To win this award is massive for myself. You look at the quality of players were have in the game, to be up there is a real honour. I am very humbled."
Hughes has been the clear best player of this season, but a six-point penalty for an early-year suspension threatened to derail his Dally M chances.
Leading Tedesco by one point going into the final round, both claimed six votes from their final-round wins to leave Hughes the winner of his first Dally M.
Warbrick said he had witnessed the 2018 haka to honour Tuivasa-Sheck's Dally M , and wanted to follow suit.
"I was a bit nervous. I just wanted to show my respect to Jahrome and acknowledge him," Warbrick told AAP.
"We both have Maori culture, that's what it's all about.
"It was just off the cuff, I'm glad a couple of boys jumped in with me to make it look better."
"Jahrome is an integral part of the Kiwis team. It was rightful to acknowledge him by doing the haka for him."
Hughes's victory marks a stunning turnaround for the 29-year-old.
The Kiwi only became Melbourne's first-choice No.7 in late 2019, when Ryan Papenhuyzen overtook him as the long-term successor to Billy Slater at fullback.
Before that, he had played one game for Gold Coast in 2013, before having to wait for three matches at North Queensland in 2016 for his next chance.
He didn't become a regular first-grader until age 24 at Melbourne in 2019, but will now be one of their most important players in Sunday's grand final against Penrith.
"You sort of forget about those times and how hard they actually were," Hughes said of his early career.
"I did it to myself. I debuted when I was 18 and it came too easy. I just thought that's the NRL, it's going to be easy.
"I soon found out that's not the way it is.
"I got let go by Titans and then ended up in Townsville, but that's just the work ethic that Craig instils in his players."
