Shark backs Val for Dally M

SHARKS legend Luke Lewis believes winning the Dally M Medal tonight would be a fitting reward for Valentine Holmes after the Townsville product sparked Cronulla’s finals charge.

Holmes ( pictured) has been a revelation in his first season at fullback and looks set to challenge Warriors captain Roger Tuivasa- Sheck and Souths hooker Damien Cook for the NRL’s top individual honour.

The former Ignatius Park College student would be the first Townsville- born player to win the prestigious award after Cowboys star Michael Morgan came home strong to finish second last year.

Holmes wasn’t even in the top 10 when voting went behind closed doors after Round 12, but he has taken his game to another level since locking down the fullback role for the Sharks.

The 23- year- old was the focal point of Cronulla’s attack as he became the first player to score 20 tries in a season for the club and Lewis felt Holmes was a red- hot chance to claim the Dally M.

“I hope he gets it. He’s 90 per cent of the reason why we made it so far this year to be honest with you,” Lewis said.

“His football’s just gone on in leaps and bounds … even with the way he’s started to talk and take on a bit of leadership.

“He’s been outstanding.

“He started off on the wing this year and ‘Flan no’ (Sharks coach Shane Flanagan) wasn’t too sure about where he was going to play him and then when he got his opportunity he took it with both hands.

“He’s just learnt so much over the year and he’s also taken on the responsibility of being a real leader of men at such a young age.”

Holmes had plenty of competition for the No. 1 jersey with high- profile recruits Matt Moylan and Josh Dugan both spending time in the custodian role at the start of the year.

Holmes had a reputation as a prolific winger – scoring 12 tries in six matches for Australia in last year’s World Cup – but Lewis felt he had made the extra effort to refine his game at fullback this season.

“He’s always had a running game and been a brilliant finisher, but he’s also had to learn how to watch the opposition and how they’re attacking, where they’re putting the numbers, how to organise a defensive line,” Lewis said.

“His game has just diversified so much and for him to play as well as he has played at fullback this year, score the tries that he’s scored this year, and then also being able to adapt with a lot of external pressure early in the season has just been phenomenal.”