Hewson ran away with the award, polling 61 votes during evening, 32 more than her closest rival Ariana Kaiwai (29) – followed by Cobie-Jane Morgan (22), Grace Hamilton (20) and Chloe Leaupepe (15).

Hewson, who retired from Wallaroos commitments at the end of 2017, captained the state team to the inaugural Super W title earlier this year.

During that match, Hewson held her nerve in extra time to successfully kick a penalty in the 92nd minute of the final against Queensland Women to clinch the match.

And just last week, she also captained Sydney University to the Jack Scott Cup title – where her team went through the whole season undefeated.

“This ceremony was about recognising and acknowledging the immense work that is done across the state and at all levels of the game,” NSW Rugby and NSW Waratahs CEO Andrew Hore said.

“Regardless of whether people are paid or not, they give 100 per cent for the love of the game.”

Taking out the Matthew Burke Cup was Israel Folau, who ended the Super Rugby season on 14 matches, including 11 tries.

The Matthew Burke Cup, named after the NSW fullback who played 115 games for the state between 1992 and 2004, is the players’ player award and decided by tallying the votes of the match day squad, who allocate their votes on a 3-2-1 basis after every game of the Super Rugby season.

Folau earned 99 votes, ahead of Michael Hooper (77), Michael Wells (71), Kurtley Beale (65) and Taqele Naiyaravoro (64).

Other major award winners on the night were; Maitland Blacks’ Dan Leadley (volunteer of the year – youth), Camden’s Chain Gang (volunteer of the year – senior),  Graystanes High School’s Toff Cummins (rugby young community match official of the year), Sydney West Rugby Referees Association’s Ian Mooney (rugby community match official of the year), Hunters Hill’s Greg Wyatt-Spratt (community coach of the year – youth), Epping Boys High School’s Sarah Laman (community coach of the year – female), Coonamble Rams’ Tom Cullen (community coach of the years – seniors), University of Wollongong’s Abby Holmes (spirit of rugby – girl player of the year), St Joseph’s College’s Finn Graham (spirit of rugby – boys player of the year), Northern Suburbs’ Jack Radford (spirit of rugby – colts player of the year), Wadalba High School’s Joey Walton (Matthew Street Shield), Sydney University’s Josh Kemeny (David Dennis youth development player of the year), Tuumuliilevao Taiti-Taanoa (Will Tanner Medal for the NSW Country player of the year), Petersham Rugby Club’s Charlie Gamble (Kentwell Medal for the NSW suburban representative player of the year), Parramatta’s Adrian Musico (Ken Catchpole Medal for the NSW premiership player of the year), Maitland Blacks (club of the year), Harry Johnson-Holmes (Chris Whitaker Aspiring Waratah Medal), Kurtley Beale (NSW Waratahs best beck) and Michael Wells (NSW Waratahs best forward).

NSW Rugby also acknowledged Hugh Roach, Matt Sandell and Brad Wilkin who will farewell the state at the conclusion of this year’s National Rugby Championship.