Robert Derby has tonight been announced as the North Queensland Toyota Cowboys 2025 Rookie of the Year.
After waiting almost two years between his first and second NRL appearances, Derby was a revelation after coming into the NRL team in Round 3.
Derby scored nine tries in 17 appearances, but it was his work coming out of his own end where the 23-year-old made the biggest difference.
Derby averaged a huge 162 running metres a game, while also breaking 44 tackles.
The Cairns product’s best outing came in Round 8 against the Titans, when he crossed for three tries, broke five tackles and ran for 218 metres.
