But what if only one captain's nominated for the Dally M award? Does that mean one's better than the other? How in Dally's name to you come up with that?

Canberra Raiders co-captain Jarrod Croker's having none of it. As far as he's concerned, if his name's read out as the Dally M captain of the year, he's sharing the award with Josh Hodgson.

Hodgson was brought onboard as Croker's fellow captain during the pre-season, spreading the load across two of their best players.

But in a quirk of the awards night - at Hordern Pavilion on Wednesday - only Croker's nominated for the captain's gong.

It's a similar story for the Bondi millionaires, with only Boyd Cordner and not Jake Friend nominated from the Sydney Roosters.

It's a funny thing giving an award for captaincy anyway - how the hell do you judge that? - but throw in the complications of co-captains and it becomes even murkier.

There's no doubt both Hodgson and Croker deserve to be nominated. They've helped turn the Green Machine around and guide them back into not only the NRL finals, but their first grand final in 25 years.

It would be Croker's second captain's gong, having claimed the 2016 award as well.

He didn't realise it was just his name up.

"I just assumed it was both of us. I'm sure they'd have to change that," Croker said.

"We're co-captains so you can't just give one nomination.

"That's a little thing for me and Hodgey, that won't bother us. I'm sure they can fix that up.

"It stumped me a little bit. I honestly assumed it would be both of us.

"I'm not looking too far forward, but if my name gets called out it will be both of us [that win it]."

Croker said the co-captaincy had been working like chalk and cheese. Because that's what he and Hodgson are.

It's even gotten to the point where referees were happy to talk to both of them at once about decisions - although there's the odd whistle-blower that insists on only talking to whoever was at the coin toss.

"We finished in the top four so something's going right," Croker said.

"It's been great. I feel at times Hodgey's really taken the pressure off. I'm not sure if he feels the same, but he's really taken the pressure off me there at times.

"We've been lucky with the leadership group around us and those guys have really been strong - [Aidan Sezer], [Josh Papalii], Johnny Bateman and Elliott [Whitehead] and guys like that have really stepped in to that leadership role. And guys like Sia [Soliola]. Those guys have really upped the ante."

The 29-year-old is one of eight Raiders up for awards on Wednesday.

Ricky Stuart for the coaches award, Croker has also been nominated as centre of the year, Bateman as second-rower, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad fullback, Jack Wighton five-eighth, Papalii prop, Hodgson hooker and Soliola for the Ken Stephen Medal for community service.

Soliola's up against Corey Norman, Josh Aloiai and Agnatius Paasi. I'm sure they're all worthy nominations, but having seen first hand exactly what Soliola does week-in, week-out, he simply has to win.

So too Papalii. What a beast he's been this year. He should win the prop of the year by 146.6 metres - his average run metres for the season.

Stuart has similarly strong claims to coach of the year. He's transformed the Green Machine in 2019. Mags, spoilers and even a blower on the donk.

She's humming. Look out Summernats.

The Raiders have climbed from back-to-back 10ths to roar into a grand final.

Brad Arthur took Parramatta from last to 5^th. Des Hasler took Manly from 15^th to 6^th. While Craig Bellamy's Melbourne Storm were runaway minor premiers. And Trent Robinson's Sydney Roosters are going for back-to-back premierships.

If the award included the first three weeks of finals then Stuart would be a lay down misere. The Raiders' finals charge has been super impressive and only enhances his claims.

Over the regular season and it's a lot closer race, with the proverbial blanket covering the field.

"There'll be a few up for grabs in that one. I heard Brad Arthur's name get thrown up in the mix," Soliola said.

"But you always want your own to go through so it would be nice to see 'Sticky' up there again."

Hodgson probably missed too many games to head Storm rake Cameron Smith for the hooker gong, while Wighton would be a smokey to edge out Cameron Munster.

Given Roosters fullback James Tedesco is the favourite for the Dally M Medal it's going to be tough for Nicoll-Klokstad to take the custodian award.

That leaves Bateman. What more can be said about the loveable Yorkshireman? Apart from: Must. Win. Second-rower. Of. The. Year. See you on the red carpet.

NRL GRAND FINAL

Sunday: Canberra Raiders v Sydney Roosters at ANZ Stadium, 7.30pm. Tickets available from Ticketek.

Raiders: 1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Nick Cotric 3. Jarrod Croker 4. Joseph Leilua 5. Jordan Rapana 6. Jack Wighton 7. Aidan Sezer 8. Josh Papalii 9. Josh Hodgson 10. Iosia Soliola 11. John Bateman 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Joseph Tapine. Interchange: 14. Bailey Simonsson 15. Emre Guler 16. Corey Horsburgh 17. Dunamis Lui. Reserves: 18. Sam Williams 19. Ryan Sutton 20. Siliva Havili 21. Sebastian Kris.

Roosters: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Latrell Mitchell 4. Joseph Manu 5. Brett Morris 6. Luke Keary 7. Cooper Cronk 8. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves 9. Sam Verrills 10. Isaac Liu 11. Boyd Cordner 12. Mitchell Aubusson 13. Victor Radley. Interchange: 14. Angus Crichton 15. Zane Tetevano 16. Nat Butcher 17. Siosiua Taukeiaho. Reserves: 18. Lindsay Collins 19. Drew Hutchison 20. Jake Friend 21. Ryan Hall.