The Illawarra Coal League’s top individual honour is the cherry on top of a brilliant season for Murphy who was man of the match in the Canaries grand final victory last week, 10 years after picking up the same award in the Canaries 2006 grand final triumph.

Murphy polled 17 votes over the 14 rounds of the competition to finish five points clear of his nearest rivals in Wests skipper Daniel Holdsworth and Thirroul halfback Ty McCarthy who both finished with 12 points. Last year’s Paul McGregor medalist Grant Smith and Butchers captain Joel Johnson were a point behind while Jason Raper (Dapto), Adam Clune (Collegians) and Junior Vaivai (Wests) all polled strongly with nine points each.

Murphy also won the George Grofus Memorial trophy as the competition’s best forward while McCarthy collected his second Frank Smith Memorial trophy as the league’s best back jointly with Holdsworth.

Murphy’s award was part of a near sweep of the senior awards for the Canaries who picked up the overall Club Championship and first grade minor premierships. Beau Henry took out the Jack Royall Trophy as the league’s leading point-scorer while Rob Buaserau was leading try-scorer (16).

Bomaderry star Talia Atfield was the Women in Defence League Player of the Year while Helensburgh half Joe Lovodua was the Alex Jack Memorial under 18s player of the year.