An emotional Josh Hoffman said his mum Grace would be shedding a few tears in heaven after he upstaged Brisbane's NRL big guns to be named Player of Year on Friday night.

Choking back tears after storming past representative forward Sam Thaiday in voting, the 22-year-old spoke of the unwavering support he'd received from his mum, who died late last year, and father Shane as a young kid playing rugby league.

Losing his mother was life-changing for Hoffman, after being given his opportunity to play fullback by coach Ivan Henjak, swept the awards winning Player of the Year, Players' Player and Most Improved.

"I certainly wasn't expecting that," said a surprised and excited Hoffman.

"Probably the biggest part of my career was the loss of my mum. It hit me very hard.

"It impacts on you a lot but it only makes you a stronger person.

"I thank my family and I thank my mum."

The first thing Hoffman did after winning the same award his second cousin Wendell Sailor collected when he played for Brisbane was text his dad.

"I haven't spoken to him but I texted him and I'd say he's probably jumping up and down out his chair.

"I know for certain mum would be proud and shedding a few tears up there. It's just really special to me."

He said his mum and dad always took him to footy as a kid.

"It's been a tough road, but my dad's been amazing this year. It's been such a special year."

Shane rings his son regularly, more to see how he is coping following the death of his mother than to talk footy.

"He's always ringing me, asking how I'm doing but we avoid football talk as much as possible," he said.

"When we do talk about footy the old man is always trying to give me good advice.

"Even when I was a young kid he used to run the water out and tell me what to do. You may not think it at the time but those wise words your old man tells you, they help you in the future."

It was a stunning night, with Hoffman also breaking the news he'd proposed to his girlfriend, Emma Kerr.

"I told dad I was going to propose to Emma when I was up there (Mackay) a few weeks ago and he was a bit shocked," Hoffman laughed.

"The rest of my brothers and sisters are having babies but none of them got engaged.

"Dad was pretty thrilled. He rang me when I got back to Brisbane and he was overjoyed."

While "pleased and shocked" with his awards haul, Hoffman said he still had a lot to learn.

"I've still got a lot to learn. Karmichael (Hunt) was a great player and I've got big shoes to fill, which is something I want to do in 2011."

Eligible to play for New Zealand where his father was born, Hoffman said he would leave any decision on his Test playing future until next year.

"People are still asking questions about New Zealand," he said.

"We can only wait until 2011 and see what that brings."

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