With no countback for first place, Harvey and Rawlings finished on 44 votes each - one vote clear of 2009's winner Andrew Swallow (43).
Harvey set a new club record with his fifth victory, passing Wayne Carey, David Dench and Noel Teasdale, who won the award four times in their decorated careers.
The captain's previous medals came in 2003, 2005, 2007 and 2008, while for Rawlings - a winner in 2004 and 2006 - it was No.3.
Harvey, Rawlings and Swallow were the mainstays of the Roos' season, playing every game as the side narrowly missed the finals under new coach Brad Scott.
The trio made the 40-man All Australian squad, but weren't selected in the final team.
Harvey, 32, averaged 25 possessions and kicked 25 goals, with his 44-disposal effort against West Coast in round three his best performance.
He also reached the 300-game milestone, again in a clash with the Eagles in round 21.
"Coming here tonight, I honestly didn't give myself a chance of winning. I actually thought Brady and Andrew were certainties to come one and two," Harvey said from Melbourne's Crown Palladium on Wednesday night.
Rawlings, who finished third in the last two counts, again spent most of this season in the backline but averaged a team-high 28 possessions.
The 29-year-old showed he was still capable of executing midfield roles to the letter when collecting 39 possessions against Fremantle in round 19, and keeping young gun Stephen Hill to just seven of his own.
"To win the best and fairest is a true honour in itself, but to win it with Brent Harvey - a bloke that I have so much respect for … I really rate Brent Harvey up there [with the greats of the club] … and his fifth best and fairest tonight is testimony to that," Rawlings said.
Swallow, 23, was central to North's stoppage set-up, leading the side in contested possessions (210) and the competition in tackles (183).
"It was a bit of a shock last year to have the year that I had, so to come back this year and to really back it up and take on a bit of a different role with Adam Simpson and Daniel Harris going … I've really enjoyed my time this year," he said.
Emerging midfielder Leigh Adams (26 votes from 15 games), whose career was threatened by a serious knee injury in 2008, took fourth place on countback from Daniel Wells and Michael Firrito.
"I'd like to thank Brad (Scott) for having the faith in me this year. Coming to the end of last year I thought I was probably in a little bit of trouble," a surprised Adams said.
"There's only so much faith the coach can have in you before you actually have to get on the field and prove yourself."
Scott confirmed the club's pre-season would kick off on October 29 with a three-week high-performance training camp in Park City, Utah, while chairman James Brayshaw said North would post a profit for the fourth successive year.
The evening also saw director and long-time powerbroker Ron Joseph announce his immediate resignation from the board for financial reasons.
2010 SYD BARKER MEDAL COUNT
1. Brent Harvey, Brady Rawlings - 44 votes
3. Andrew Swallow - 43
4. Leigh Adams - 26 (countback - 2 x 4 votes)
5. Daniel Wells - 26 (countback - 5 x 3 votes)
6. Michael Firrito - 26 (countback - 4 x 3 votes)
7. Nathan Grima - 23 (countback - 1 x 4, 1 x 3, 7 x 2 votes)
8. Levi Greenwood - 23 (countback - 1 x 4, 1 x 3, 4 x 2 votes)
9. Todd Goldstein - 22 (countback - 1 x 4 votes)
10. Ryan Bastinac - 22 (countback - 1 x 3 votes)
OTHER AWARDS
Community award: Andrew Swallow
Harold Henderson best clubman: Drew Petrie
Glenn Archer Northerners award: Michael Firrito
Best first-year player: Ryan Bastinac
Jason McCartney jumper: Brady Rawlings
Rennie Johnston cheer squad determination award: Brady Rawlings
Blackwoods supporters' player of the year: Brent Harvey
Life membership: Drew Petrie, Leigh Harding, Corey Jones
