VOTE NOW: Your favourite North Queensland Cowboys NRL player of 2023
As the NRL season approaches its end, we want you to decide who is North Queensland’s favourite Cowboys player of 2023. Cast your vote now.
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As the NRL 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 NRL this season and choose your favourite below.
Players are listed alphabetically.
*Statistics and games played are based on pre-round 27 numbers
TOM CHESTER
Townsville junior Chester made his Cowboys debut in mid-2022, but he truly broke onto the NRL scene earlier this season when he pulled on the No.1 jersey for three games while Scott Drinkwater was suspended.
A livewire player that gives 100 per cent to every play, Chester found favour with Todd Payten and remained in the side for another four games providing impact from the bench until a season-ending ACL injury struck him down.
REUBEN COTTER
Everyone in North Queensland knows just how good a player Cotter is, but now the whole country does after the tireless forward was named Wally Lewis Medallist as the 2023 State of Origin Player of the Series.
Cotter is loved by fans for his toughness, high work rate and personable character off the field.
The Mackay-born 24-year-old has scored four tries for the Cowboys in his 19 appearances this year.
TOM DEARDEN
The enthusiastic five-eighth has been one of the Cowboys best offensive weapons this season.
Dearden’s running game places him among the NRL’s best halves and he is one of the Cowboys’ most important players.
A proud product of Mackay, Dearden has been a regular in the Cowboys starting line-up, only missing games while he was on Origin duty.
ROBERT DERBY
Papua New Guinea winger Derby earned his NRL debut in round 13 against the Parramatta Eels while Murray Taulagi was playing for Queensland.
A PNG international with strong links to Cairns, Derby has been one of the Townsville Blackhawks’ top tryscorers in 2023 and still aged 21, his time to shine in first grade will come.
SCOTT DRINKWATER
Drinkwater has been the Cowboys most important attacking player this season.
The crafty fullback is a natural footballer who plays what’s in front of him and he has a knack for making the right decision on when to pass, kick, or pin his ears back and tuck the ball under his arm.
Drinkwater’s 11 tries put him just behind Kyle Feldt (13) but it’s the fullbacks work setting up tries and linebreaks that makes the biggest impact on the team.
Drinkwater’s 31 linebreak assists leads the NRL and his 25 try assists place him second overall just behind the Warriors’ Shaun Johnson (27).
MITCHELL DUNN
Dunn featured in eight consecutive games between rounds 5 and 12, mostly entering the fray as a middle forward.
Another player whose roots trace back to junior rugby league in Mackay, Dunn has played 58 NRL matches for the Cowboys since making his debut in 2018.
BRENDAN ELLIOT
Elliot could fairly be described as a journeyman of the NRL, spending time at four other clubs before joining the Cowboys in 2022.
‘Shredder’ is well-known as a serious trainer who pushes the standard of the team off the field. He spent most of the year plying his trade for the Townsville Blackhawks but also slotted into the NRL side for three games when Murray Taulagi had a knee injury.
KYLE FELDT
Feldt is one of the last remaining bastions of the 2015 premiership-winning side and is the Cowboys’ leading tryscorer in 2023 despite only playing 17 games so far.
Feldt has Matt Bowen’s all-time North Queensland try-scoring record within reach and he’s an ever-popular figure in the Townsville community where he was born and bred.
KULIKEFU FINEFEUIAKI
One of the Cowboys’ most exciting prospects to debut in 2023, Finefeuiaki is still 19 years old but looks ready for NRL.
The young backrower runs fantastic lines at full pace and possesses a great offload, as evidenced when setting up Peta Hiku in the Kiwi’s 200th game against the Dolphins.
Finefeuiaki is in a team stacked with talented young edge forwards but he has been a regular in first grade, scoring two tries in his 11 appearances.
JACK GOSIEWSKI
Gosiewski came into the Cowboys side in round 7 and played seven games at second row.
The 29-year-old New South Welshman scored tries in back-to-back games against the Roosters and Dragons and made his impact felt in attack and defence.
Gosiewski was a victim of the Cowboys’ extensive depth in his position, especially after Luciano Leilua’s return, but was a good contributor when he was part of the team.
JAKE GRANVILLE
North Queensland’s Mr Fix-it can do anything and he’s played in every game this season.
Pound for pound, Granville is one of the toughest players in the NRL and his inspiring 89-minute marathon performance at hooker in round 16 against Penrith will go down as one of the biggest shifts in his career.
Granville’s 53 tackles during that game was a career-high for the 34-year-old veteran and he’s one of the most popular Cowboys for good reason.
BEN HAMPTON
Made one appearance for the Cowboys in 2023 playing five-eighth against the Parramatta Eels in an Origin-hit side.
This was Hampton’s seventh season in North Queensland and is very popular among the playing group where he is an active RLPA member and a valued mentor to the team’s developing halves.
COEN HESS
Hess has been one of the Cowboys most consistent forwards, proving he can complete any job as a prop or playing on an edge.
Born in Bundaberg, Hess is another of the Cowboys that has featured in every game in 2023, scoring two tries.
Hess has the ability to play big minutes or make big impact – he’s great at adapting to his role and the energy he brings to the playing group is undeniable.
PETA HIKU
A Kiwi international that is a fierce competitor, Hiku notched up his 200th NRL game late in the season against the Dolphins, scoring a try.
As well as his two tries, Hiku has assisted seven and takes plenty of tough carries early in sets to get his team out of its own half.
Hiku departs the club at the end of 2023 after almost 50 games in Cowboys colours, and his reliability will be missed.
VALENTINE HOLMES
Born in Townsville, Holmes is a fan-favourite for his immense talent and professionalism.
A stalwart of the Queensland Maroons and Australian Kangaroos, Holmes has scored eight tries and kicked 68 goals in 2023, plus one field goal.
Holmes’ balance makes him an incredible ballrunner and his speed and footwork is among the best in the game. The centre’s goalkicking is invaluable to the team with no standout backup, at least not to Holmes’ calibre.
ZAC LAYBUTT
Laybutt briefly debuted in round 5 before returning to the line-up towards the end of the season.
The 21-year-old Bundaberg product has already scored two tries in three games and his defence on his own try line has been particularly impressive. Laybutt no doubt has a big future at the club.
LUCIANO LEILUA
After missing the first half of the season, Leilua slotted straight back into the starting line-up and picked up where he left off with devastating carries and skilful offloads.
Leilua started his career at St George Illawarra, then spent two and a half seasons at the Tigers before he joined the Cowboys in 2022.
He’s scored two tries in his 12 appearances this season.
HEILUM LUKI
Luki has had an interrupted season with injuries, but when he’s on the field he always makes a huge impact.
A young and tall backrower from Cairns with a long stride and good offload, Luki has scored three tries in his 12 appearances this year.
Todd Payten will have the best kind of headache in 2024 trying to fit Luki into his best 17.
SAM MCINTYRE
McIntyre joined the Cowboys in a mid-season move and has made two appearances off the interchange – in round 16 and then 22.
Born in Canberra and now with 39 NRL matches under his belt, McIntyre is a quality depth player to have in any squad.
JORDAN MCLEAN
McLean recently notched up his 200th NRL match against the Dolphins in round 26.
The powerful prop only missed one game in 2023, starting in the No.8 jersey on 22 occasions this season.
The proud New South Welshman grew up playing for the Young Cherry Pickers but he now calls Townsville home after six seasons in the north.
JEREMIAH NANAI
When Nanai is on the field the Cowboys are a better team.
Unfortunately the barnstorming backrower has missed a fair chunk of the season with State of Origin, suspension and injury, but he’s still managed to score six tries in 13 Cowboys appearances.
Nanai has a full arsenal of strike weapons: speed, skill, aggression, great hands, great footwork and a fantastic leap. He’s no slouch in defence either with the ability to stop the NRL’s biggest players in their tracks – just ask Payne Haas.
GRIFFIN NEAME
A young Kiwi prop that plays like he’s been in the NRL for years despite still being 22 years old.
Neame was born in Greymouth and was signed to the Cowboys’ New Zealand academy before crossing the Tasman ahead of the 2019 season.
Neame has started twice this year but typically enters the game from the interchange and keeps the intensity at a high level while the Cowboys’ regular starters take a breather.
RILEY PRICE
Price made his NRL debut in round 5 against the Bulldogs and backed up the following week against the Dolphins for his second and final Cowboys appearance in 2023.
The 22-year-old forward provided plenty of energy and has great skills and athleticism for a forward.
REECE ROBSON
Robson had a breakout year and made his State of Origin debut for New South Wales as reward for his scintillating form.
A reliable 80-minute hooker with an excellent passing and running game, Robson’s darts out of dummy half regularly pick up good metres and he almost always tops the Cowboys’ tackling charts.
GEHAMAT SHIBASAKI
Townsville-born Shibasaki left North Queensland as a youngster to play for the Broncos and then the Knights, followed by a stint in Japanese rugby union before rejoining his hometown team in 2023.
Shibasaki played back-to-back games in rounds 2 and 3 while Peta Hiku was out of the team.
Having just turned 25 on September 2, Shibasaki could still have a great future back in the NRL.
MURRAY TAULAGI
One of the best finishers in rugby league.
Taulagi is a cool customer and his tough carries to get North Queensland’s sets rolling early cannot be understated.
At 24, Taulagi is coming into career-best form and is being rewarded with Queensland and Australian jerseys.
JAMES TAMOU
One of North Queensland’s favourite sons returned in 2023 for a year-long swan song in Cowboys colours.
But Tamou wasn’t just here to make up numbers and mentor youngsters – the 34-year-old Cowboys legend started the first two games of the season and then scored a memorable try in round 4 before succumbing to injury.
Even while not contributing on the field, Tamou’s presence at Cowboys HQ would have done wonders for the youthful players coming up through the system that would remember Tamou as one of the game’s best.
JASON TAUMALOLO
The Cowboys co-captain recently played his 250th NRL match – all for North Queensland – and plenty was said at the time about what Taumalolo means to the Cowboys.
A tough competitor that has the ability to put the team on his shoulders and carry them out of trouble, Taumalolo is still one of the game’s elite forwards in his 14th season in the NRL.
JAMAYNE TAUNOA-BROWN
One of the Cowboys unsung heroes in 2023, Taunoa-Brown made 17 appearances and would always give his all to make a big impact on the game.
The Melbourne-born prop has now played 33 games for the Cowboys since joining the team in 2022 after stints at the Warriors and St George Illawarra.
CHAD TOWNSEND
The Cowboys co-captain has played every game this season, playing every minute except for in round 9 against Cronulla when he picked up a calf injury in the second half and left the game early.
Townsend shouldered most of the halves duties in 2023 to allow the dynamic Tom Dearden to have more freedom. Heading into round 27, Townsend was second in the NRL in terms of total kicks (340), kick metres (10,472), attacking kicks (188).
The halfback’s five field goals tops the NRL, and he is a natural leader that drew the respect of many by advocating on behalf of all players during the RLPA CBA saga.
SEMI VALEMEI
Valemei joined the Cowboys mid-season from the Canberra Raiders and made an instant impact on the team’s on-field results.
The Fijian winger has an incredible strike rate for the Cowboys, scoring nine tries in nine games and providing good metreage with his powerful leg drive.
Originally published as VOTE NOW: Your favourite North Queensland Cowboys NRL player of 2023
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