Luther Robinson has capped off his best season in an Inverell jersey with the zone's top honour.
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Fresh from cleaning up at the Highlanders' presentation night, the inspirational No.8 was on the weekend announced as the Central North best and fairest for the 2021 season.
The Highlanders skipper polled in a remarkable 12 games to finish on 28 points and edge Gunnedah skipper James Perrett for the Treloar Shield by four points.
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The Red Devils' fullback equally had an outstanding season figuring in the points in 11 games.
It was really a race of two with Quirindi's Tom Grant the next best on 13 points.
Moree's Sevanaia Nadruku (12), Pirates' Andrew Moodie (10), Quirindi's Daniel Calavassy (9), Walcha's Dom Bower (8), Pirates' Nick McCrohan (8), Scone's Dominic Moran, Gunnedah's Marcus Hayne, Moree's Jamie Sampson, and Narrabri's Matthew McDonnell (all 7) rounded out the top 10.
Robinson, who was earlier in the month named the best and fairest, players' player and Footballer of the Year for the Highlanders, said it felt pretty special to be acknowledged like that, albeit unexpected.
"It's a bit of a shock," he admitted.
"I was quite surprised."
The award winners were announced at Sunday's zone agm. Robinson had no idea about his big win until Highlanders president Ross Fuller presented him with the trophy.
"He texted me this morning (Monday) and said he needed to catch up with me," he said.
"So I just went around to his place this afternoon."
Bower was the top-point scorer across all competitions with 150 from three tries, 51 conversions and 11 penalties.
Perrett just shaded him by four points after scoring a competition high 16 tries, and kicking 30 conversions and two penalties.
Inverell's Liliana Reardon was third on 120 points with 14 tries and 25 conversions.
Pirates' young gun Michael Purtle was also rewarded for his top season, winning the Richard Cameron Memorial Shield as the best and fairest under-21s player.
The Walcha coaching team of Barry Hoy, Sam Payne and Greg Stier were awarded the Bruce Etheridge Shield for Coach(es) of the Year while Scone president Ben McRae was named the President of the Year.
Narrabri's Daniel Kahl was meanwhile presented the Prime Television Trophy for Services to Rugby.
The current zone vice-president, Kahl has filled many roles throughout his involvement in rugby in the zone including player, referee, referee academy coordinator, Blue Boars committee member, junior coach and Kookaburras co-captain.
