Munro's composure and ability to read the game is second to none, and he'll always pop up in support at the right place and the right time.

You'd be hard-pressed to ever force an error out of him with a high ball.

This season was William's coming out party.

The 18-year-old exploded onto the top-grade scene, scoring tries and kicking goals for Daniel Mortimer's men.

Something that was so staggering about Williams this winter was his confidence, most notably in a mid-season match against Bathurst Panthers.

With no time on the clock and the scores locked up, CYMS received a penalty goal just past the half-way line, and without a shred of hesitation, Williams ran to the middle of the field and said 'I'll take it from here, boys'.

It was the biggest conversion anyone had to take all season, and the sharp-shooter couldn't have hit it better.

It was pretty hard to ignore this lad after reading what teammate Jake Betts said about him earlier in the season.

On a team with Doug Hewitt, Brent Seager and Jeremy Gordon, Betts gave the newly-acquired centre one hell of a wrap.

"We've got Breso [Keelan Bresac] over here this year and if he's not the best player in the comp at the moment then it would be hard to say who is," he said.

It was a fair statement, too.

The former Lithgow Workie is a match-up nightmare for opposition centres.

He's rangy, powerful and has balls skills as well.

We're not sure how the ageless Jeremy Gordon is, and we won't ask.

But, what was evident in 2021 is that the former Cowra flier isn't slowing down.

Gordon missed a bit of time this year with injury, but was still potent enough in his performances to earn him a spot on the list.

The turn of foot is still very much there, and so is his ability to put whoever's outside him over the try-line. This season it was Desi Doolan.

The reputation Gordon has built over the years is a strong one, and you only need to watch him for 20 minutes to realise why he's still one of the elite strike centres in the bush.

Introducing our first Mudgee Dragon... Corin Smith.

You'd be out of your mind to not have this guy somewhere on your side.

The blistering pace he had when he first burst onto the Red V's top tier side is still very much there, and he still plays well above his weight.

There aren't many players who are a lock to run the distance if they get an intercept, but Smith's still probably one of them.

The Dragons wouldn't trade him off for anyone.

We know he isn't a pivot, but it doesn't matter.

We couldn't leave either Hewitt or Mortimer out of the starting side, so in the name of the great taco ad, 'Porque no los dos?'

You'd be safe to assume Panthers wouldn't have won a single competition without this man.

He's as influential a player as there is, and a true maestro on the field.

He's built low to the ground, which gives him a deadly running game close to the try-line, and has the ability to kick any side out of a fixture.

The best player on the best side slots into halfback? Makes sense.

Dan Mortimer was absolutely immense in 2021.

Much the same as the man before him on this list, Mortimer was the driving force behind everything that happened both on and off the field.

Something that opposing players constantly mentioned when talking about the former NRL gun was his toughness.

And for Mortimer, you'd bet he'd rather hear that than anything else.

He's already cracked the pinnacle of the game as a playmaker... he knows he can control the game with the ball in-hand.

But, to be told you're tough as nails... that's got to feel good.

Mortimer's durability was certainly tested this year, and it didn't take a rugby league genius to see how often the big boys were targeting him.

He repelled those challenges and was front and centre for everything the green and golds did in attack.

There's plenty of talent on this roster, but without Mortimer, it wouldn't have finished in the top two.

Front rowers... now, we're talking.

Imagine lacing up the boots for an afternoon of group 10 rugby league and having the terminator trying to fold you in half every time you cart it up.

Clay Priest struck fear into opposition players every weekend, and that's the truth.

The former NRL enforcer has arguably the most physical style in the competition, and a huge motor to-boot.

Mudgee was a serious threat to make some noise if there had been a post-season... even if they tell you no one gave them any hope. That's just not true.

It's players like Priest - as well as Siejka and Littlejohn - who had this group in a great spot to challenge for a premiership.

This is exactly the type of player you want sitting in the middle of the field.

A fit, courageous and confident acting half.

Mitch Squire had the respect of his entire playing group, and the rest of the competition as well.

He's the fittest bloke o the club, does the most damage in the weight room, and has invaluable versatility.

With players like Nick Loader and Billy Carberry to choose from, this is still Squire's spot.

He's the Doug Hewitt of the forward pack.

Seager is as honest and hard-working as they come.

Take him out of the 2018-19 Panthers squads, and you could make the case they don't win a single premiership... he's that good.

Big minutes, big motor, and will never go missing when the going gets tough.

Panthers had to start 2021 without him, and you could tell how much it hurt them.

Battering ram... that's how to best describe the former Oberon Tiger.

There's no doubt you could use Lefaoseu up the guts, but he's at his best when he's terrorising edges, something he's been doing for several seasons now.

Like his teammate Hewitt, Lefaoseu's built low to the ground, giving him a deadly bump, or as Madden players would call it, a truck stick.

He probably doesn't have the reputation some other back rowers have but we're here to tell you he should.

An out-and-out gun.

Heart, heart, heart.

McKellar goes all day, doesn't back down from any run or any situation, and is the perfect leader for this Hawks forward pack.

And while we're here, it's worth mentioning that Rakai Tuheke and Nathan Potts could have easily made this list, but McKellar gets the nod through consistency and overall impact.

At times throughout 2021, it looked like McKellar would need a wheelchair to leave Wade Park as he has no self preservation or consideration for what his body may or may not appreciate.

Here he is... CYMS' media machine, and most-improved player.

After giving his fitness regime a makeover in the off-season, Duffy became the best forward for the minor premiers.

You wouldn't necessarily watch Duffy and leave your seat every time he has a run or makes a tackle, but you'd never be let down by his performance, and that's what made his 2021 campaign great.

Some people don't value consistency as much as they should, and that's fine.

But, the difference between his best and his worst day was minuscule.

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