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The NRL will expand their Dally M team of the year to a starting 13 rather than single positional awards, scrapping the interchange player medal in the process.
The NRL will expand their Dally M team of the year to a full 13-man starting side as part of this year's special made-for-TV event.
The NRL confirmed on Friday the awards night will go ahead on October 19 to kick off grand final week, with only winners to attend the studios at Fox Sports.
The event will be held in a bubble-like scenario, allowing players in both the NSW State of Origin camp and those featuring in the grand final to attend.
Queensland-based players will not travel to the venue, but will instead be part of a video cross.
It comes after the AFL announced their Brownlow Medal would only be held as a virtual event this year, with players dialling in from hubs or their homes.
As part of the changes in awards, the NRL will scrap the interchange player of the year award.
Instead, a starting 13 will be named instead of just the single best player in each of the nine positions.
"Origin and Test Matches all have selection restrictions, this team will be the best possible in each and every position from 1 to 13,' NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo said.
"It will give our fans the chance to see on paper what the very best NRL team would look like.
"We've never seen this before.
"There will be plenty of discussion and debate among our fans on comparing their selections which is a positive."