Coen Hess has capped a remarkable career transformation in 2021 by claiming his first Paul Bowman Medal at tonight’s North Queensland Toyota Cowboys Presentation Night at the Townsville Entertainment & Convention Centre.
Hess was at a career crossroads a month into the 2021 season. After a rocky start to the season, he was shifted from his long-preferred position of second row to middle forward in Round 4.
The move paid immediate dividends. Hess quickly emerged as a dynamic force for the Cowboys in the middle of the field, providing an instant burst of energy both carrying the ball and with his relentless line speed in defence.
Hess appeared in 22 games for the Cowboys in 2021, returning averages of 76 running metres and 28 tackles. Although it was often through work which doesn’t show up on the stat sheets that endeared Hess to Todd Payten and the coaching staff.
Hess’ inaugural Paul Bowman Medal comes in his seventh season as a Cowboy and after 118 appearances for the club.
He also breaks a record run of five consecutive Player of The Year gongs for Cowboys skipper Jason Taumalolo. The last Cowboy other than Taumalolo to claim the Paul Bowman Medal was a player by the name of Johnathan Thurston in the club’s 2015 premiership-winning season.
Hess claimed the award with 19 points, five ahead of Reece Robson on 14 and Jordan McLean on 13 points.
Full list of award winners:
- Club Person of the Year: Ben Hampton
- Townsville Bulletin Fans Choice Award: Jake Granville
- JCU Education Award: Corey Jensen
- Members Player of the Year: Jake Granville
- Rookie of the Year: Heilum Luki
- Gold Stars Cowboys Way Award: Jordii Mahendrarajah
- Gold Stars Player of the Year Award: Emma Manzelmann
- Players Player of the Year: Murray Taulagi
- NRL Cowboys Way Award: Jake Granville
- Paul Bowman Medal for Cowboy of the Year: Coen Hess
