Storm troops Cameron Smith and Cooper Cronk as well as Broncos player Darius Boyd and Kiwi and Cowboys star Jason Taumalolo are in the running.

Smith won the award in 2007 with all other nominees yet to claim one of the game’s highest honours.

Past winners:

1984: Wally Lewis
1985: Brett Kenny
1986: Garry Jack
1987: Hugh McGahan & Peter Sterling
1988: Ellery Hanley
1989: Mal Meninga
1990: Garry Schofield
1999: Andrew Johns
2000: Brad Fittler
2001: Andrew Johns
2002: Stacey Jones
2003: Darren Lockyer
2004: Andy Farrell
2005: Anthony Minichiello
2006: Darren Lockyer
2007: Cameron Smith
2008: Billy Slater
2009: Greg Inglis
2010: Benji Marshall
2011: Johnathan Thurston
2012: Kevin Sinfield
2013: Johnathan Thurston
2014: Shaun Johnson
2015: Johnathan Thurston