The Academy Awards, Grammys, Logies and even the AFL Brownlows could learn something from the Dally M Awards.
Species of animals evolve, rise, fall into decline and become extinct in the time it takes those other awards ceremonies to run their course.
But not the NRL - they gave out something like 15 awards in just 90 minutes and that includes time for a performer to sing a song and host Warren Smith to have a dig at the fighting abilities of Bunnies coach Jason Taylor.
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Nominate the Dragons' player of the seasonThe big award was a no-brainer - with Jarryd Hayne picking up every man of the match award going in the last few months he was always going to overhaul the field.
But I do wonder what might have happened to Jamie Soward's chances had the Dragons not hit that three-game flat spot where he picked up zero points (I'm also at a loss to explain how Soward was on just 12 points when the count went secret after Round 16).
But Sowie went home with two trophies for the mantlepiece (or the pool room if he's got one) - five-eighth of the year and the Provan Summons Medal for the most popular player of the year. And the other Dragon to take something home was Toyota Cup player Beau Henry.
In my humble opinion, a few players got dudded - and, yes they might be Dragons players. I'm still scratching my head to work out how Ben Hannant was named best prop over Michael Weyman, despite the Dragon playing four more regular season games and one more Origin match than the Dog.
I'd also like to have seen Ben Hornby get captain of the year - for no other reason than the guy deserves something. He doesn't possess the flash that makes some players stand out but, jeez, he does a lot of work in driving the Dragons team. I know it's not the same as a nice Dally M trophy Ben, but I've noticed your effort.
I also might suggest that Brett Morris got dudded when Tiger Taniela Tuiaki was named winger of the year. But I won't because I don't want to say anything that might put Tuiaki offside. That guy is huge - he even had trouble squeezing into the seat at the awards night.
The award also threw up a few anomalies. For instance, the Dogs' Michael Ennis won hooker of the year even though the Tigers' rake Robbie Farah polled five votes better than him in the Dally M voting. Not sure how to explain that discrepancy.
And I don't get Jamal Idris as rookie of the year, given that he made his first grade debut in 2008. The Raiders' Josh Dugan should have taken that award home - the kid was such a rookie he wasn't even named in the top squad at the start of the season.
But I guess disagreeing with the results is all part of the fun of awards nights. As is going out and getting drunk afterwards - as long as you steer clear of Jason Taylor.
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