The 22-year-old prop believes his decision set up his best year to date with the Pickers, an effort rewarded with the first grade player of the year award.

"The team had to rely on me a bit when Sam Anderson went down. He was our captain so our team relied on him and someone had to come forward. I felt it had to be me," Butterfield said.

"It came from there, when he went down I had to put my hand up.

"I didn't think I had too bad a year. I was pretty happy with myself which is a surprise as I'm normally my own harshest critic."

In addition to claiming the Pickers top prize, Butterfield finished third in the Newcastle Rugby League player of the year award and was a member of the Newcastle Rebels team which beat the Sydney-based Ron Massey Cup team.

Butterfield earned Australian Schoolboy in 2015 and was part of the Newcastle Knights programs from under-16s through to two years with the NSW Cup team.

He said the enjoyment of playing the game he loved had returned in his two seasons at the Pickers.

"It is so much more enjoyable than dealing with the Knights system and all that," he said.

"I just had enough of the grind of five days a week training on top of work. I was getting home at quarter-to-10 and waking up at five and going to work.

"I'd had enough, something had to give. I thought the game I love is still back at home and I don't want to be completely rooted for my family. There is life after football, so I thought I'm better off just getting a job.

"I don't want to be that bloke who plays 200 NSW Cup game but never gets an NRL game. They are still hanging their hat on that dream and they don't have a job yet."

Butterfield finishes his plumbing apprenticeship at the end of October and has signed for the next two seasons with the Pickers.

"It's my second year in the Newcastle comp now. NSW Cup is a lot quicker, that's the only difference. I rate the Newcastle comp as the best in the state outside of NSW Cup," he said.

Butterfield also took out the players' player, best forward and Sparrow Farrow award.

Greg Morris was named best back and Hayden Grainger won the coach's award.

Harry Hofmann award Kane Lickiss

Rookie of the year Callan Burgess

President's award Brenton Horwood

Cub person award Craig Ballenden

John Newcombe award Frazier Price

McMahon award Sam Anderson:

Players' player and best back Amy Dufour

Best forward Tahlia Howard

Coach's award Brooke Carroll.

Players' player Kingsley Jennings

Best back Lachlan Mathews

Best forward Dominic Harris

Coach's award Ramsey Maberly-Smith.

Players' player and best forward Jason Wallace

Best back Luke Mercer

Coach's award Isaac Harris

Players' player Cody Clulow

Best back Kurtis Langdon

Best forward Dean Ascough

Coach's award Kane Lickiss