KEY POINTS:
He's had one of the most extraordinary seasons and now Steve Price looks set to be rewarded with nominations for four gongs at this week's Dally M Awards.
The Warriors skipper has re-written the record books for a front row forward in 2007 and it would be a major surprise if he didn't walk away from Tuesday's awards night with the Prop of the Year award.
Likewise, he's a strong contender for Representative Player of the Year for his outstanding form in the State of Origin, Captain of the Year and is even an outside chance for the Dally M Medal for player of the year.
When voting went behind closed doors after round 16, Price was seventh equal with 16 points, 12 points behind Wests Tigers hooker-halfback Robbie Farah.
Since then, however, Price continued a run of eight straight games in which he personally clocked up more than 200m, including an NRL record of 323m against the Roosters, while the Tigers' form has been indifferent.
The Dally M Medal winner takes on added importance this year with confirmation the NZRL will invite the recipient to play for the All Golds in October's match against the Northern Union. Price has already accepted an invitation to play in that match.
Warriors fullback Wade McKinnon was also in the running for the Dally M Medal after round 16 but has since missed two games with injury. He is likely, however, to be a frontrunner along with North Queensland's Matt Bowen for Fullback of the Year.
Ivan Cleary is also in line to be acknowledged at the glamour awards ceremony in Sydney and must be a contender for Coach of the Year.
Price, who knows his rugby league history, has special reason to hope he wins Captain of the Year and Cleary Coach of the Year - two of the past three years, it's gone to the eventual NRL winners.
Price and Steve Folkes won it when the Bulldogs triumphed in 2004 and Scott Prince and Tim Sheens grabbed the double when Wests Tigers won in 2005.
Manly's Ben Kennedy won the captain's award in 2006, while Melbourne's Craig Bellamy was top coach - but Brisbane won the grand final.
Price would give up any accolades for a third NRL title but he would welcome recognition.
"It would be unbelievable [to win Prop of the Year]," he said. "Some very good players have won it in in the past. That's always been something I'd like to have on the resume, to be regarded as the best in your position in the toughest competition in the world."
Price has surpassed 4000m for the season and is closing in on Jason Stevens' record for the most metres made by a forward in a season of 4380m. Price's previous best was 3997m when the Bulldogs won the title in 2004.
He also now occupies four of the top five metre-eating performances by a forward in individual games.
But ask Price his secret to success in 2007 and the 33-year-old finds it as difficult to put his finger on as defenders do tackling him.
"I honestly don't know," he said with a shrug of the shoulders. "I still can't believe I'm averaging more than 200m per game. But enjoyment is a massive part of whether I play well and this is my most enjoyable year ever."
The Warriors are holding their awards evening on Wednesday, with Price, who was the Warriors' Player of the Year in 2006, likely to win Forward of the Year and McKinnon, Back of the Year.
The first players in line for the Kiwis test against Australia and the tour of UK and France are likely to be announced this week.
Players will be added to the squad as teams drop out of the race for the NRL title.
