Macquarie’s Darren Jackson and Cobar’s Steve Lyons were named as the joint Radio 2DU/Regency Jewellers Group 11 Player of the Year on Saturday, making it the fifth time Jackson has received the title.

It was also the third consecutive year Jackson had earned the title and the third time he has earned it while playing for Macquarie.

In 2006 and 2003 Jackson received the award whilst playing for Cobar.

Jackson mentioned the support he has received from the Macquarie Raiders club when he was presented with his awards and said he felt humbled to take the title for yet another year and to share it with former Jim Beam Cup player Steve Lyons.

He noted the success of the Group 11 side this year and said he hoped the side could go one better next year.

This year Jackson again captained the NSW Country side who finished runners-up at the Quad Series tournament in Queensland this year.

It was the second time Jackson had captained the side. Last year they NSW Country took out the title in Jackson’s first year in charge.

The Jim Beam Cup representative side clinched the 2008 Quad Series with a 28-8 victory over NSW Country at Stockland Park in July.