Williams and Maitland hooker Peter Ellis were dual leaders on 18 points when voting went behind closed doors after round 13.

The Roos rake had a perfect opening month of the season, scoring the maximum 12 points.

Ellis dominated the second month and led voting on 20 points into round 14 but missed the final four games of the season, because of a calf tear.

That left Penny and Williams to fight it out in a two-horse race.

Penny took the lead in round 16 when he scored two points in Wests' 34-22 win over Central Newcastle, but Williams responded the week after by wrestling back top spot with two points from Wyong's 58-20 victory over Lakes United.

In the final round of the season on August 14, Penny was man of the match in Wests' 44-22 win over Lakes and moved to 24 points.

The next day Williams hit back to claim his first player of the year title by scoring three points in Wyong's 32-12 defeat of Central.

Last season, Williams finished equal second on 18 points with then Cessnock prop Sione Finefeuiaki and eight behind the winner, Macquarie prop Danny Vaughan.

It has been a breakthrough year for the 22-year-old personal trainer.

After spending last season stuck behind then Cessnock hooker Chris Adams, Williams was selected in the Newcastle and NSW Country sides as the starting No.9.

Wyong and Maitland were the big winners at the annual NRL awards night at Newcastle Leagues Club.

Wyong's Bodie O'Connell was named representative player of the year and teammate Josh Mantellato was leading points scorer for the second season running with 214 points (13 tries and 81 goals).

The Pickers' Noel Dent was coach of the year for leading Maitland to their first minor premiership since 1983.

Maitland were officially handed the Mal Woolford Trophy for their first club championship in 27 years.

Cessnock broke the domination of the Pickers and Roos when winger Chris Pyne accepted the award for leading try-scorer on 21.

Pyne's nearest rivals were wingers Ryan Lamb (Wests) and John Grey (Wyong), both on 15 tries.