VOTE NOW: Your favourite North Queensland Cowboys NRLW player of 2023
North Queensland’s inaugural season in the NRLW had its ups and downs, but they certainly made us proud. Now we want you to decide who is your favourite player of 2023. Cast your vote.
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North Queensland’s inaugural season in the NRLW had its ups and downs, but this playing group certainly made us proud with their relentless passion and refusal to give up – even when the score line was against them.
As the NRLW season approaches its end, it’s now time to cast your vote for your favourite Cowboys player of 2023.
Catch up on every player who has played for North Queensland in the NRLW this season and choose your favourite below.
Players are listed alphabetically.
*Statistics and games played are based on pre-round 8 numbers.
ESSAY BANU
Tully Tigers junior Essay Banu grew up idolising Johnathan Thurston fulfilled her dream of becoming a Cowboys player in 2023.
A hard-running 21-year-old middle forward with solid defensive abilities and years to come in her rugby league career.
KRYSTAL BLACKWELL
Blackwell made the move from the nation’s capital to join the Cowboys. The 20-year-old was thrown into a baptism of fire in the early rounds as a five-eighth while Tahlulah Tillett was sidelined with injury.
Prefers to play fullback but she offers utility value with the ability to also play on the wing or in the halves.
BREE CHESTER
“Breezy” has only missed one Cowboys game this season, providing a great running option on the edge.
Chester scored a try in her second game and has been one of the Cowboys’ most consistent forwards.
KIRRA DIBB
One of the Cowboys’ inaugural co-captains, Dibb is a leader both on and off the field.
She has arguably been the team’s best player all year and her impressive goal kicking (70 per cent) makes the Cowboys go up in sixes rather than fours more often than not.-
JETAYA FAIFUA
Faifua is just 20, but joins the Cowboys after seven NRLW games over two seasons with the Gold Coast Titans.
She’s got great skills and strength for a smaller player, and has featured in three games this season, typically off the interchange.
FRAN GOLDTHORP
The Cowboys’ Leeds-born recruit was signed after an impressive Rugby League World Cup with England caught the eyes of Cowboys coaching staff.
Goldthorp has really impressed for North Queensland and is an incredibly reliable fullback. At 20 years old, she could have a massive future in the game.
TALLISHA HARDEN
Co-captain of the Cowboys and a massive physical presence on the field.
Harden has played for both Australia and Queensland on multiple occasions and has played in the NRLW for six straight seasons, and is a huge asset to the team.
SERA KOROI
Joining the Cowboys from the NT in 2023 was the dynamic Koroi.
After playing four games for Papua New Guinea in 2022 she has featured in all but one Cowboys games this season.
SHELLIE LONG
Long has been an attacking weapon for the Cowboys this year.
The physical centre featured for Papua New Guinea in three games last year and always proves to be tough to defend.
EMMA MANZELMANN
Manzelmann plays above her weight every game and rarely misses a tackle, while providing danger out of dummy half with her running game.
Manzelmann is a North Queensland native and a NRLW premiership-winner with the Newcastle Knights.
MIA MIDDLETON
Middleton is a strong centre that has played well in her three NRLW games.
She provides great go-forward with her runs and has been solid in defence guarding her edge.
SAREKA MOOKA
Mooka made her Indigenous All Stars debut earlier this year and has shone in her games for the Cowboys.
The 23-year-old forward always bends the line with her powerful carries and is surprisingly quick on her feet, scoring a good try in the Cowboys’ round 2 win over Newcastle.
VITALINA NAIKORE
Naikore converted to rugby league from the Fijiana Drua Super W team this year, stamping herself out as a key player in the backline in her first year in the NRLW competition.
Appearing in every game this season, she has crossed the line three times in a show of talent and skill and gets better with every game in her new sport.
APRIL NGATUPUNA
The young prop began on the bench for the first three games of the season, but after proving her prowess with the ball it didn’t take her long to join the starting 13.
Her strong efforts in attack put the opposition on the back foot with 22 tackle-breaks to her name for the 2023 season.
LILY PEACOCK
This is Peacock’s first year in the NRLW and she looks like she’ll be here for many years to come.
The 19-year-old North Queenslander made her debut in round 7 with a number of good runs and strong tackles.
JASMINE PETERS
Peters is a vital part of the Cowboys bringing in experience from her time at the Gold Coast Titans and Indigenous All Stars.
The 21-year-old centre has displayed her tough defence and hard running style in every game this season, continuing to add strength to the backline.
CHINA POLATA
Polata has worked her way around the field this season, showing her adaptability as a winger, front row and lock – though Ben Jeffries believes her future is as a middle forward.
Her talent on the field is well recognised, earning her debut this year for the Queensland Maroons in State of Origin Game II.
SHANIAH POWER
The North Queensland local puts her strength on display in the second row with a near unbreakable defence and big impact running.
The Indigenous All Star and four-time QLD representative has appeared five times for the Cowboys before she was struck down with a season-ending foot injury.
Power is one of the Cowboys’ most important players and they miss her on the field.
TIANA RAFTSTRAND-SMITH
Raftstrand-Smith makes a hard-hitting impact on the field no matter if she is starting in the front row or lock position.
Her high post-contact metres and offloads are essential in bringing her teammates over the line.
AUTUMN-RAIN STEPHENS-DALY
Stephens-Daly has continued to be a sought after player with her time in the New Zealand team and Maori All Stars making her invaluable.
The passionate winger has footy in her blood and shares her love and talent for the game with her mum and sister who both play in New Zealand.
JESSIKAH REEVES
Reeves stormed into the NRLW competition this year debuting for the Cowboys in round 4, giving Townsville’s first grade ladies a break after dominating the local competition with the Herbert River Crushers while awaiting her debut.
The Papua New Guinea Orchids prop makes a huge impact off the bench with her impenetrable defence and overall toughness.
LIBBY SURHA
Surha was born in Mackay and was handed her well-earned debut in round 6, scoring a try before she unfortunately picked up a season-ending injury.
The 19-year-old second rower is another player that has been playing for Herbert River, where she scored 10 tries in four games.
TAHLULAH TILLETT
Although the halfback made a late start to the season, Tillett continues to prove her skills as she leads her teammates over the try line, time and time again.
The two-time Indigenous All Star has put up big minutes this year and looks to be a permanent part of the Cowboys for the future.
MAKENZIE WEALE
The skilful prop has taken the field every game this season shifting around between lock and front row – but she has played her last Cowboys game for 2023 after being suspended for a hip-drop tackle against the Dragons.
No matter where the 21-year-old starts, she always makes a positive impact on the field with her tough defence and strong running.
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Originally published as VOTE NOW: Your favourite North Queensland Cowboys NRLW player of 2023
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