Unpopular opinion alert.
I've been thinking about this, and I'm ruling Kevvie, Bellamy and Webster out of Coach of the Year based on them "resting" players for the final round. Regardless whether it was the right tactic in the pitch for the title (and I believe it was), it's shitty Rugby League, outside the spirit of the game, and an up-you to fans who paid to see the stars. This especially applies to Kevvie whose tactic openly devalued the JJ Giltanan Shield. If we fail to win the premiership, we could always have that gong. It's not nothing. But Kevvie's actions said it is.
Maybe if we'd won, we could give Kevvie a free pass, but tanking the minor premiership in the process is a fail. Plus we lost again to the Storm. Which felt like shit. While the NRL might not be able to do anything about this cynical tactic, it need not be rewarded with a coaching medal.
If we go on to lose against the Storm next round it's an even bigger fail for the club. I would say it wasn't worth it.
Instead, I'm giving it to Ivan Cleary, who opted not to "rest" players, including his son, and instead put his team in a position to retain the minor premiership in the event the Broncos lost to the Storm. It was a gamble that had no other pay-off other than a chance to win the minor premiership and for Panthers' fans to see a proper game. He did not need the extra two points. It was a gamble that paid off. Credit where it's due. This is the game we would prefer to play.
Sorry Kevvie, as much as you deserved to win COTY up until this game, you blew it. Let's just hope it pays off this weekend.