Kalyn Ponga of the Newcastle Knights Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Newcastle fullback Kalyn Ponga has pipped the Warriors halfback Shaun Johnson for the NRL's Player of the Year award, the Dally M.
Ponga won by a single vote from Johnson with another point back to Nicho Hynes of Cronulla.
With neither playing the final round of the regular season the medal was decided in round 26 when Ponga picked up the full six points from the Knights' 32-6 win over Cronulla to overtake Johnson who only picked up three for his role in the Warriors' 18-6 win over the Dragons.
Warriors mentor Andrew Webster was named Coach of the Year, while Johnson, winger Dallin Watene-Zelezniak and prop Addin Fonua-Blake were named in the Team of the Year.
Ponga became the third Knights player to claim the game's highest individual honour after Andrew Johns (1998, 1999, 2002) and Danny Buderus (2004).
Newcastle fullback Tamika Upton won the top NRLW award.