But will that be the case again this year?

Central West Rugby Union Referees Association boss Ian Richardson certainly thinks so, after releasing a shortlist of this year’s contenders through nine rounds he said “consistency in performance” could be the decisive factor.

He released the six front-runners for the top tier’s highest individual honour on Tuesday – in no particular order, helping create some buzz – with polling for the award now officially going behind closed doors until grand final day, when it’s presented.

There’s a couple of surprises too, although Emus flanker Jack Marchinton has widely been considered the form back-rower of the competition so it’s no shock to see him on track to follow in Selwood’s footsteps.

Coincidentally, Marchinton has effectively replaced the reigning MVP on Emus’ flank this year, with Selwood moving to Southern Districts after claiming last year’s gong.

Emus hooker Tom Goolagong is also among the top six front-runners, alongside Bathurst Bulldogs’ Harry Webber and Brad Glasson, boom Cowra recruit Joe Dakuitoga and mercurial Forbes halfback Mahe Fangupo.

Incredibly, Goolagong, Dakuitoga and Fangupo have polled enough votes to be in the mix despite all missing games this year, and Richardson also released a shortlist for Central West’s other three men’s competitions as well.

Blayney’s Baz Hobby, CSU Bathurst’s Jack Keppel, Narromine’s George Hancock, Jono Sharkey and Sam McLeod and Parkes’ Lloyd Rogers are the leading contenders for the New Holland Agriculture Cup’s inaugural gong award.

In the GrainCorp Cup Northern Division, Molong trio Zac White, Josh Peffer and Mitch Brown are all in the mix, as are Geurie’s Moa Kavefiafi, Coonabarabran’s Seb Fox and Coolah’s Matt Duggan.

Ben Bradie has led his Harden side to the top of the GrainCorp Cup Southern Division standings and has polled a number of votes along the way, he’s joined by Temora’s Matt Fuller, Canowindra’s Ron Lawrence, Condobolin’s Jesse Durning and West Wyalong duo Tristan Buttenshaw and Jasper Dix.

Richardson made one thing clear too, all the tallies are tight, although he gave no indication as to who might be leading each race.

“The even nature of the leaderboards reflects the broad pool of talented players spread across the zone, there’s numerous clubs represented and not all of them are competition leaders either, that reflects the quality of rugby being played,” he said.

“Our referees duly consider aspects such as the outcome of the match, the individual’s performance, leadership skills, discipline and respect, before they submit their votes from the match...it can be easy to overlook performances of individuals in a beaten team, so we take care to ensure that our referees look objectively at [every player].”

He went on to explain that with the changes to Central West’s structure this year, it made sense for the Referees Association to continue adapting the best and fairest awards too.

Of course, that meant introducing one for the New Holland Agriculture Cup, but also ensuring the GrainCorp Cups’ awards – initiated last year – continued.

He said, although he couldn’t provide a shortlist for it, the women’s Westfund Ferguson Cup will have an equivalent award of its own too.

“We realised that with four men’s divisions in place it was a great opportunity to expand our best and fairest awards,” Richardson said, with the most positive response coming from the GrainCorp Cups’ clubs.

“[Last year] resulted in a three-way tie for the award in the GrainCorp Cup Northern Division and now there’s more emphasis and support for referees to attend post-match speeches and announce their three, two, ones … the players are genuinely interested in who the votes are given to.”