LeagueNews.co | Jess Malloy
The Cowboys Way Award winners for the season have been announced by cowboys.com.au.
This prestigious award is given to players who demonstrate the club's values both on and off the field, and this year's recipients are McLean and Polata.
McLean, a consistent performer, played in 22 games for the third consecutive season, missing only two matches in 2023.
As a key member of the Cowboys forward pack, the 32-year-old set the platform for his team, averaging 111 running metres and making an impressive 574 tackles with a success rate of 96.2 percent.
In addition, McLean celebrated his 200th NRL game during the season.
Meanwhile, Polata, a first-time State of Origin representative, quickly gained the respect of her coaches and teammates with her physicality and dedication to training.
She started the season on the wing but transitioned into a middle forward role, becoming the Cowboys' primary defensive enforcer and delivering several memorable big hits.