Cowboys captain Johnathan Thurston seems favoured to win the Dally M medal for NRL player of the year tonight.

The awards ceremony kicks off the build up to the grand final between the Rabbitohs and the Bulldogs.

Gabrielle Copp reports.

TRANSCRIPT

South Sydney’s hoping to claim their first NRL premiership in 43 years.

But they could be without key hooker Isaac Luke.

He’s due to appear before the judiciary tomorrow night after being placed on report for a lifting tackle on Sonny Bill Williams.

If found guilty he’ll miss the grand final.

Sam Burgess, Rabbitohs Forward: “Personally I’m very close with Isaac, I’d be devastated. But having said that we have great belief in whoever comes into the team, we have done all year, so whatever happens we’ll just deal with it.”

There’s also drama at Canterbury.

Bulldogs skipper Michael Ennis is still recovering from fractured bones in his foot after last weekend’s win over Penrith.

Michael Ennis, Bulldogs Captain: “Oh yeah it would be devastating but in saying that I’ll do everything I can to get there. We’ll see how we go, fingers crossed. They don’t come around too often. It would be great with this group of boys, we’ve worked so hard to get the opportunity to play with them on Sunday.”

Gabrielle Copp, QUT News.