Kulikefu Finefeuiaki and Fran Goldthorp have been named NRL and NRLW Rookies of the Year at tonight’s North Queensland Toyota Cowboys Presentation Night.
Finefeuiaki began the 2023 season outside the NRL squad, but ended it as a first grade regular.
The 19-year-old made his debut in a shock Magic Round victory over the Roosters at Suncorp Stadium.
He would score his first try in a Round 16 Golden Point victory over the Panthers and crossed for another crucial try a week later in an away win over the Rabbitohs.
In total, Finefeuiaki appeared in 12 games, with the Cowboys winning eight of those games.
While Finefeuiaki was a virtual unknown before the season started, Goldthorp had already compiled an impressive rugby league resume.
The incumbent English Test fullback, Goldthorp was outstanding for the Cowboys in her maiden NRLW season.
Goldthorp averaged a huge 144 running metres a game, a figure which jumps to almost 160 when you take out her injury affected Round 8 game against Canberra.
Her performance in the Round 4 victory over the Wests Tigers was nothing short of spectacular. The 20-year-old ran for 253 metres and registered five tackle breaks in the comeback win.
