Scott Drinkwater wins Paul Bowman medal, Emma Manzelmann takes player of the year for Cowboys

It was a tough season for the men’s and women’s squads, but who stood out, and who won their teammates over? See all the winners.

Scott Drinkwater of the Cowboys runs to score a try during the round 21 NRL match between North Queensland Cowboys and Parramatta Eels at Qld Country Bank Stadium on July 22, 2023 in Townsville, Australia. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

The Cowboys have selected their 2023 award winners, with Scott Drinkwater taking out the Paul Bowman Medal.

As the team’s most important attacking player of the season, his decision making drove the team forward, choosing his moments to break the line, pass, or kick.

His fellow Cowboys recognised that brilliance, voting him Player’s Player.

Across 21 appearances, he scored 11 tries with nine goals, with a goal kicking rate of 90%.

Drinkwater came through when the team needed him most, including a vital last minute goal against the Panthers to keep their (then) finals hopes alive.

It was a tough season for both the Cowboys men and women’s team, with the men missing finals by a whisker after a poor season start, and the women enduring a baptism-by-fire in their debut season.

Still, we have to start somewhere and see the positives.

Credit to the women for beating the men’s dead-last finish in 1995, marking the best ever season debut for a Cowboys team.

Emma Manzelmann took out Player of the Year for the women’s team, and Player’s Player.

The 21-year-old has everything she needs to be a generational talent, and we hope to see her around when the team lifts its first trophy.

Originally published as Scott Drinkwater wins Paul Bowman medal, Emma Manzelmann takes player of the year for Cowboys