Newly-crowned Man of Steel Brett Hodgson described his achievement as the "pinnacle" of his career after lifting the major prize at the 2009 Super League awards night in Manchester.

The 31-year-old former Wests Tigers favourite, who was named Rugby League Writers' Association player of the year last month, won the most votes in a poll of Super League players to decide the game's most coveted individual award.

The Huddersfield full-back and captain, who was deemed to have made the biggest impact on the season, postponed his flight back to Australia in order to attend Monday night's event and the decision paid off when he beat off competition from reigning Man of Steel James Graham and Warrington captain Adrian Morley.

"Just to be nominated as one of the three players was such a big honour so there was no way I was going to miss such a big occasion," he said.

"I'm over the moon, just so proud. This honour is absolutely huge. It's just something you don't dream about at the start of the year.

"I'll have to pinch myself in the next few days to realise what I've achieved."

Huddersfield dominated the awards, with Nathan Brown winning the coach-of-the-year award and the Giants named engage Super League club of the year.

Brown topped a poll of his fellow Super League coaches after transforming the fortunes of the West Yorkshire club in his first season at the Galpharm Stadium.

The Giants, who finished third from bottom of the table in 2008, came third this year and reached the Challenge Cup final, with Hodgson the central figure behind their improved fortunes.

Hodgson, whose success ended a run of four successive victories by St Helens players, is only the fourth Australian to win the award since it was instigated in 1977.

The other major award went to Wigan's 20-year-old half-back Sam Tomkins, who was named young player of the year.

Tomkins, who was included in the 2009 Super League Dream Team at the end of his first full season in the top flight, won the award ahead of Salford scrum half Richie Myler and St Helens half-back Kyle Eastmond.

Special awards were made to Robbie Paul and Stanley Gene to mark the end of their Super League careers, Paul Wellens to mark his 350th appearance for St Helens, Warrington's Lee Briers for his 300th Super League appearance and to Hull captain Lee Radford, who passed the 300 career appearances milestone this summer.

Former St Helens and Hull full-back Steve Prescott, who is battling a rare form of stomach cancer, received a standing ovation after being presented with the Mike Gregory spirit of rugby league award for his fund-raising efforts.