NRL.com Dally M count: Smith extends lead

Melbourne captain Cameron Smith looks an unbeatable Dally M winner after extending his lead in the unofficial NRL.com Dally M leaderboard.

Smith was instrumental in the Storm's 42-12 rout of the Brisbane Broncos, scoring his first try of the season, saving one at the other end and controlling the tempo of the contest in attack and defence.

Smith now has a six-point lead in the unofficial tally, with nine games left of the NRL Telstra Premiership season. 

Cowboys half Michael Morgan jumped into equal second after starring in the Cowboys' 31-18 win over the Raiders and was awarded three unofficial points by NRL.com journalist Dylan Morris. 

Sharks captain Paul Gallen also moved into equal second, registering a point in the Sharks' 44-12 belting of the Roosters at Central Coast Stadium. 

Manly halfback Daly Cherry-Evans jumped up the unofficial leader board with a starring role in Manly's comeback against the Warriors at nib Stadium in Perth, registering three points from NRL.com journalist Corey Rosser. Cherry-Evans had two try assists, two line break assists and a line break to orchestrate Manly's win after trailing by 16 points early in the contest. 

Cherry-Evans joins Billy Slater in equal eighth, after the Storm fullback registered a point in Melbourne's massive win over the Broncos at Suncorp Stadium. 

For more information on the Dally Ms and to see voting before it went behind closed doors, click here.

NRL.com unofficial Dally M leaderboard after Round 17

NRL.com’s unofficial rankings are based on ratings attributed to players in each game by nrl.com staff following the official Dally M points going behind closed doors after Round 14. The rankings are in no way based on official Dally M points after Round 14, which will not be released until the official announcement of the Dally M winner in Grand Final Week.