HIS kicking game is superb, defence solid, passing skilful and ability to read play something few in Group 10 can match - so imagine what Doug Hewitt can do when given an extra boost of confidence.
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The Bathurst Panthers halfback was given that boost when he found out he earned a spot in the People's Choice Group 10 Team of the Year.
The man who also captained-coached the Panthers to a Group 10 premier league title defence polled a remarkable 56.4 percent of the votes cast for the number seven jumper.
"You don't even sort of think about those things, even to be nominated is good, but to get the award is unreal. It's great to get those votes from the public," Hewitt said.
"I never sort of get into that sort of stuff ... I did't know that I'd get there because I didn't know if too many Panthers blokes would vote.
"It's nice and gives that extra bit of confidence going into next year now."
READ MORE: People's Choice Group 10 Team of the Year
Hewitt was not the only member of Panthers' premiership winning outfit that got the nod either, with six of the starting 13 selected by the public being men in black.
Prop Brent Seager, second rower Jack Siejka, Hewitt's halves partner Willie Wright as well as centre Kevin Murray and winger Louis Murphy had their efforts recognised by the public.
Hewitt was just as delighted for them as he was about his own selection.
"Far out, we've got half the team. I suppose the form that we were in and going back-to-back you'd expect we'd get a couple in, but to get like half the team in it, I guess that just shows where we are as a team," he said.
"Kevin and Louis have been unreal for us this year. Kevy, he's just been the silent assassin and goes about his business, you can always count on him to finish off plays. Louis, this year he added heaps to us out the back as well, even just his kick returns.
"They are players you appreciate that you have in the team and I suppose it's been noticed by those who aren't in the team as well. For the public to vote for them, that's well deserved by the boys.
I suppose the form that we were in and going back-to-back you'd expect we'd get a couple in, but to get like half the team in it, I guess that just shows where we are as a team
- Doug Hewitt
"Jack Siejka, it goes without saying, I think he is one of the best in the competition.
"His finals series was absolutely massive, every game he was topping the numbers in all different categories.
"A lot of our success came on the back of some of those bigger guys him the middle like Brent and then Jack out wide, then we have those boys that can finish even wider out too, our centres and wingers."
Hewitt feels that Panthers' domination of the team of the year, as well as their success on the field, is a reflection of the all-round talent and trust within his squad.
The forwards set the platform for the talented backs to then capitalise on.
"Something we spoke about all year was just get your own job right first and then everything else will follow. In our team we are pretty lucky that we do have such a broad team right across the park that you don't have to worry about doing anyone else's job," Hewitt said.
"The way we based our attack was off the boys in the forwards making a good start to our sets and then our forwards are really strong in D too. I guess that shows with our success."
