The pain of a disappointing NRL campaign eased somewhat for Newcastle Knights skipper Danny Buderus after the Test rake was named 2004 Dally M Player of the Year in Sydney.

Buderus was in outstanding form this season, earning Australian and NSW Origin honours.

But he could not stop Newcastle missing out on the NRL finals for the first time since 1996.

Buderus has been an iron man for the Knights - since the 2003 kick-off he has played 60 NRL or representative matches, more than any other player.

The hooker was rewarded with the NRL's premier player award, receiving the prestigious medal from Prime Minister John Howard and Miss Universe Jennifer Hawkins of Newcastle at Sydney Town Hall.

"It's something you put on your mantle piece and really cherish but I wouldn't have thought twice about winning this award," Buderus said.

"Everyone wants to play in the finals, that is what you train for, that's why you play the game.

"We had a lot of injuries this year at Newcastle, it was a year we would like to forget but we missed out on the finals in 1996 and came out and won it in 1997."

Buderus said the injury to captain Andrew Johns in round three spurred him on to take a leadership role at Newcastle this year.

"I am thankful for Andrew Johns for a lot of things, and I suppose him getting injured is one of those things.

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