A late off-season recruit from the Canberra Raiders, nine-season NRL veteran Shaun Fensom was a key plank of the Cowboys’ core forward rotation in 2017.

A two-time Raiders player of the year, the experienced Fensom offered punch and stability in the middle for coach Paul Green, who would shift between starting the 29-year-old and young tyro John Asiata, depending on team needs and game plans week-to-week.

His 2017 campaign was soured at the final hurdle with a third-minute broken leg in the grand final against the Storm, but hard-working forward will return to the Cowboys in 2018.

2017 STATS:

Played: 21

Tries: 1

Average run metres: 88

Average tackles: 24

Off the field: Is known for his deadpan, dry-as humour.