‘I’m sure I won’t’: Knights coach’s face says it all... as even Dally M winner himself can’t believe it

New Zealand Warriors mastermind Andrew Webster has beat out Newcastle’s Justin Holbrook in the hotly-contested race for coach of the year, rewarded for the team’s impressive regular season form despite a mounting injury toll.

It comes after Webster quipped on the ‘Red Carpet’ Pre-Show, “If my name gets called, and I’m sure it won’t.”

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While Holbrook undoubtedly would have won the award had voting taken place this week, Newcastle’s finals success is not factored into the final count with polling completed after the regular season.

Either way, Holbrook was a strong contender for the award given Newcastle also overcame a string of injuries to climb from the wooden spoon all the way to the top eight under his watch.

“I want to congratulate Justin for the year he has had,” Webster said after accepting the Dally M Coach of the Year Award.

“And Trent getting to the grand final. It’s something everyone’s chasing. They’ve done a terrific job.”

Webster, however, is also a deserving winner after taking the Warriors to a second-place finish despite losing both halves Tanah Boyd and Luke Metcalf to injuries along with forward Jackson Ford.

Classy Cleary accepts his first Dally M! | 02:47

“(I’m proud) of our following. Just when it has got tough our boys have stood up. Our fans have stood up whether we go to the South Island or North Island, we are so well supported,” Webster added.

“Whether we go to Brisbane. Magic Round’s ridiculous, our fans take over. Our boys particularly, the way they play I think they do the country so proud.

“We’re one team, one country. Having Fish this year has been special. I think we’re everyone second team if we’re not their favourite.

“Everywhere we go they want to be part of the Wahs nation. We took over DreamWorld this year. It was pretty cool. I’m really grateful.”

Upton makes history with 3rd Dally M! | 05:28

Points differential was all that separated the Warriors from the minor premiership, and while the straight-sets exit in the finals was disappointing it did not come into consideration in Dally M Coach of the Year voting.

It is the second time Webster has won the honour, having been crowned Coach of the Year in 2023 after lifting the Warriors from a 15th place finish in 2022 to the top four.

“We sold out Eden Park. It’s not the result we wanted but to see how the whole country was behind us was special,” Webster continued.

“We’ve had a good review. We’re tight as a team and as a community we’ll get back and work hard. There’s definitely things we can improve especially in that moment.

“When you get to the big dance, that’s where you want to play your best football and we didn’t and that’s a bit that’s going to hurt us all pre-season and don’t worry we’ll work on it and see where we go next year.”

Meanwhile, it means Ivan Cleary has just the one Coach of the Year nod to show for Penrith’s dominance since he took home the award in 2020 after piloting the Panthers to a surprise grand final appearance.

Cleary also won the award in 2014 for Penrith’s dramatic turnaround before being sacked the following season, only to return in 2018 and prove himself to be one of the best coaches in NRL history.