Cowboys legend Paul Bowman believes the club is back on track to become a serious premiership force in the NRL competition.
One of Proserpine’s favourite sons, Bowman talked up the Cowboys’ future after presenting the Paul Bowman Medal to winger Ashley Graham at Jupiters Casino in Townsville last Friday night.
"Our under-20s just got beaten in the grand final, our first-grade side made it back into the finals and we have some very exciting talent coming through," said Bowman, who was part of the ‘Whitsunday Connection’ at the Cowboys’ 17th annual presentation ball.
"Yes, it was a disappointing end to the year for our first-grade side but I’m sure we’ll come back a lot stronger in 2012. The signs are positive not only for next year but for the years to come."
As well as walking away with the coveted Paul Bowman Medal, Cairns product Graham picked up a new Toyota car, with Whitsunday businessman Robert Filby on hand for the presentation.
Bowman said Graham, 27, who beat superstar Johnathan Thurston for the club’s top playing award, richly deserved his honour.
"Ash had a very consistent season. It was the coaching staff that voted on a 3-2-1 basis all year and in the end, he came out on top. He might have been surprised with the result but I can honestly say he really deserved it. I’m very pleased for him actually," he said.
On the night, Cowboys CEO Peter Jordain paid tribute to former Cannonvale schoolboy Sam Foster, a Toyota Cup player whose season was wrecked by injury but the 18-year-old is expected to be back in action early next year with the club’s under-20 side.
Also in attendance was Proserpine-born Cowboys favourite and now club staffer Peter Jones and Guardian columnist and broadcaster Jason Costigan, who calls the Cowboys’ games on radio station Sea FM.
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