Francis Molo’s form towards the back end of 2018 suggested a breakout season may have been just around the corner, but even his most ardent supporter could not have predicted his sudden rise in 2019.

Molo had just 13 games on his resume entering 2019. He finished the season as just one of four Cowboys to appear in all 24 matches.

The hard-running 25-year-old was named as a finalist for Dally M Interchange Player of the Year and was presented with the Coach’s Award by Paul Green at the Cowboys Presentation Night in September.

Molo was a weapon off the interchange for Green and his role grew throughout the season. After playing an average of just 17 minutes through the first 11 rounds, Molo registered at least 30 minutes in seven of his last 13 appearances, topping out at 39 in Round 24 against the Bulldogs.

His best performance of the season came a week earlier in a victory over Penrith when he ran for 134 metres and chipped in 23 tackles in 35 minutes on the field.

2019 stats

Games: 24

Tries: 2

Tackle breaks: 20

Offloads: 21

Average run metres: 77

Average tackles: 15