McDonough said he's lost count of how many times his shoulder popped out of place during games this year but the recurring injury wasn't enough to stop him from claiming the award at the Les McIntyre Medal function in Queanbeyan on Monday night. 

The playmaker finished the year on 16 points, three clear of Brahmans lock Scott Naughton. Points were distributed by the referees in a 3-2-1 format at the end of each fixture throughout the regular season.

The sports journalist relocated from North Sydney last year and played half of the 2013 season for Yass before he was named captain-coach for 2014. He took the role on with enthusiasm and led by example.

Team manager Luke Brown said there are a few things that sum him up as a player.

"Joey's just got so much heart, I mean he pops his shoulder out every game and he just gets up and keeps going," he said.

"His toughness is really a big part of his game."

In a good night for the black and whites, winger Tim Regan took home the highest point-scorer trophy as well, after notching 100 points this season.

"Considering we didn't win the competition, or make it to the final getting those two awards shows how good we actually went this year," Brown added.

The 26-year-old was wrapped with the award but was quick to share the praise.

"Yeah I really didn't expect it but it's a huge honour," McDonough said.

"It's a bit embarrassing because in my opinion Josh Newling was our best player week-in week-out and wasn't even a finalist.

"But it's a great thing for the Magpies to get two awards on the night with Timmy [Regan] getting the point-scorer."

McDonough will run around with the Magpies next year as he waits for a shoulder operation.

"I'll definitely play next year; I want to play for a few years yet but it will just be a case of having some time off when I finally get the shoulder fixed up."

The Magpies were stopped by Harden in the preliminary final a fortnight ago. The Hawks, however, were easily dispatched by Binalong for the Shield at the weekend. It was the Brahmans' second straight title and also meant they finished both 2013 and 2014 undefeated.  

Brahman's president Michael Brayshaw accepted the minor premiership on behalf of the club and claimed the leading try-scorer award for Matt Cooke who scored 14 tries for the Brahmans in 2014.

Dwayne Connors was also presented with his Canberra Region representative jersey. The Yass local recently returned from a rugby league tour of Hawaii after being selected in the Country Firsts representative side.