Cowboys captain Johnathon Thurston seems to always consume the post match limelight when his side emerges with a win, let alone in an upset victory against the high flying Gold Coast Titans.
Indeed Thurston’s effort against the Titans on Friday night would have seen him awarded the man of the match award, were it not for Matthew Bowen’s blistering return to form.
Thurston tackled himself to a standstill, in the process reminding opposing half Scott Prince why he is still the number one halfback in the NRL, with a sublime try assist that allowed Michael Bani to score in the first half.
Despite Thurston’s integral role in the Cowboys 34-18 win over the Titans, it was Bowen who lit the fuse for Neil Henry’s men to return to the winner’s circle after below par performances against the Tigers and the Panthers in the last fortnight.
Bowen scored two tries in a performance that shed any doubt on whether or not the little man would replicate such form after undergoing a season ending knee operation early last season.
Indeed Bowen struggled with his form and confidence during the opening stages of the 2009 NRL season, which coincidently saw the Cowboys struggle for results.
Although Thurston is no doubt the Cowboys linchpin to their on field successes, one can not deny that a fit and firing Matt Bowen is easily the most exciting player to watch in the NRL.
Thankfully for Cowboys fans, Bowen looks to have rediscovered his confidence at the right time of the season, judging from his second try against the Titans.
During the second half, Bowen raced fifty metres to score his 101st career try for the Cowboys, leaving numerous defenders clutching at thin air.
Indeed Bowen was one of the main reasons why the Titans ended up missing sixty tackles, thus contributing to the Cowboys twelve line breaks.
Although it proved to be a nightmare for Titans supporters, Bowen’s return to form was a welcome sight to behold for NRL fans all over, as it signalled the return to form for one of Rugby League’s true crowd pleasers, let alone good guys.
It is players like Bowen that allow fans of the game to drift their focus away from the off field negatives that continually plague the code.
One would rather watch Bowen dodge and weave his way through opposition defences, then to hear and read about court cases, player defections and salary cap scandals.
Indeed when a player like Bowen is in full flight, no amount of off field scandals can deter NRL fans from paying their tickets and watching one of Rugby League’s true excitement machines weave their magic.
And if Bowen can maintain the Cowboys current position on the ladder, no doubt the little master will play an integral role in ensuring that this years NRL finals series will be one of the most exciting in years.
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