Australia's Four Nations final man-of-the-match Johnathan Thurston has claimed the 2011 Golden Boot award.
The honour is awarded annually to the game's top international player by Rugby League World Magazine.
North Queensland's Thurston pipped 2007 winner Cameron Smith, his Kangaroos teammate, with retired Australia captain Darren Lockyer in third place ahead of the England trio of Sam Tomkins, James Graham and Ryan Hall from the six-strong short-list.
2011 Golden Boot vote tally
1. Johnathan Thurston (North Queensland Cowboys/Australia) - 175 points
2. Cameron Smith (Melbourne Storm/Australia) - 170 points
3. Darren Lockyer (Brisbane Broncos/Australia) - 141 points
4. Sam Tomkins (Wigan Warriors/England) - 110 points
5. James Graham (St Helens/England) - 89 points
6. Ryan Hall (Leeds Rhinos/England) - 49 points
Thurston's stand-out performance in Australia's 30-8 triumph over England in last month's Four Nations decider helped the Cowboys captain seal the gong.
The winner is determined in a poll of past winners and media representatives.
The award maintains the southern hemisphere stranglehold on the prestigious award, with Ellery Hanley, Garry Schofield and Andrew Farrell the only Englishmen among the 21 previous winners going back to 1984.
"It was one of the closest races for the Golden Boot in years, which emphasises just how much fantastic talent there is in our game at the highest level," Rugby League World editor John Drake said.
"The award recognises a whole year of performances at domestic and international level and Johnathan's match-winning performance in the biggest game of the season, the Four Nations final against England, proved he is a worthy recipient."
Leeds winger Hall and St Helens prop Graham, shortly to join Sydney club Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, gained some consolation by being named in Rugby League World's annual World XIII, again dominated by Australians.
International rugby league team of the year: Billy Slater (Melbourne), Akuila Uate (Newcastle), Greg Inglis (South Sydney), Jamie Lyon (Manly), Ryan Hall (Leeds), Darren Lockyer (Brisbane), Johnathan Thurston (North Queensland), James Graham (St Helens), Cameron Smith (Melbourne), Paul Gallen (Cronulla), Sam Thaiday (Brisbane), Gareth Ellis (Wests Tigers), Anthony Watmough (Manly).
