Former NRL player Dylan Phythian is a great role model. He can be held up as an example to young children of how to throw away a childhood dream, all for a bit of fun. Phythian’s downfall highlights the dangers of fame and money, and earned him a nomination for The Frownlow Medal Hall of Fame.
The Frownlow Medal is awarded to the player whose off-field demeanour epitomises the values of the modern-day footballer and draws attention to the status of footballers as role models to young Australians. It covers Australia’s four major football codes; the National Rugby League (NRL), Australian Football League (AFL), the A-League (Football) and Rugby Union’s Super Rugby competition. NRL player Shaun Kenny-Dowall won the inaugural medal in 2015, while NRL star Talatau Amone is the most recent recipient.
The Frownlow Medal Hall of Fame honours former players and players who received media attention in previous seasons, for similarly scandalous behaviour, and its inductees include Ben Cousins and Julian O’Neill.
Phythian grew up in Newcastle and played rugby league for various junior clubs. The whole time he had one thing on his mind – playing for his beloved Newcastle Knights. The dream came true in 2016 when he debuted in the NRL and for the Knights. He even scored a try in that game against the Rabbitohs.
Following a strong season he was offered a contract again in 2017, and he was living his dream. However, if it seemed too good to be true, maybe that’s because it was. In 2018, Phythian had his contract terminated by the Knights after he returned a second positive test for social drugs, the first test remaining anonymous under the NRL’s rules, with the second positive test automatically incurring a 12-match suspension. The club decided not to wait for the suspension to finish and let the local junior go.
In 2022, Phythian was offered a second chance. He was granted a train and trial contract at the Knights, and was given another chance to be inducted into The Frownlow Medal Hall of Fame.
The Frownlow Medal 