The Lake Macquarie captain became the second player in three years to win the player of the year honour and the leading scorer title in the same season when the Northern NSW Football awards were held on Friday night at Wests New Lambton.

The 2018 awards were the first to feature the Jennings Medal as the player of the year prize. The move recognised the Hunter’s most-capped Socceroo, who was at the function to present the medal.

Walker was thrilled to catch up with Jennings, who played 44 A-internationals for Australia, after the presentation.

“It was just good to hear about what he'd done, his background and you just realise how humble he is even though he has achieved so much in the game,” Walker said.

“Winning player of the year is something I’m very proud of but achieving the first Graham Jennings Medal and being able to receive it from him, it definitely makes it a lot more special.”

Walker, who scored 16 goals this season for eighth-placed Roosters, proved a popular inaugural winner. He matched the feat of Kane Goodchild who claimed the award double in 2016 when with Hamilton.

Walker stayed loyal to Lake Macquarie through their years of relegation in 2015 and 2016 and twice narrowly missed out on the scoring title.

He was surprised to receive the award ahead of the likes of Edgeworth’s Pat Wheeler, who he believed would win. 

“I knew I was there to obviously get the golden boot but after seeing the shortlist of players up for the player of the year award, I wasn’t really expecting it, especially considering where we finished,” Walker said.

“It just goes to show you don’t have to finish right up there.”

Another highlight of the night was an emotional acceptance speech from Edgeworth’s Damian Zane, who won a fourth consecutive NPL coach of the year title. Zane paid tribute to home-grown former Newcastle Breakers star Darren Stewart. News broke that day that Stewart had died aged 52. 

“He was one of our champions, one of the best players Newcastle had,” Zane said on Monday.

“I saw him play three games for Australia, and at the time it just wasn't enough. He was a really influential player.”

Zane revealed on Monday that the Eagles had signed defender Callum Bower from Weston.

In the Herald Women’s Premier League awards, New Lambton star Tara Andrews and coach Keelan Hamilton thanked their club after taking top individual honours in the Eagles’ first season.