You don’t get many jumping on the North Queensland Cowboys bandwagon. A provincial town with a large transient population, Townsville’s somewhere you pass through on a holiday, possibly stopping in to watch your favourite team beat the hapless locals.
As I’ve already written my only link to the town and team is that a military father happened to be posted there when I was born.
Supporting them wasn’t easy either, with their poor record meaning Channel Nine never touched them, my poor finances meant I couldn’t touch a Foxtel subscription and living in Canberra and Cooma meant the local pubs wouldn’t flick the television channel so one bloke could watch.
Season 2004 changed everything. As the Cowboys closed in on a maiden finals appearance news came through that Channel Nine would show the Cowboys take on the Wests Tigers.
Finally those of us too poor to pay could watch our boys play; and play they did, registering a still-too-rare win down in Sydney.
It was great to put faces to names will Josh Hannay, Ty Williams and Paul Rauhihi; the commentators gushed the Cowboys confirmed their place in the top eight.
And everyone started talking about Matty Bowen.
He’s been my favourite player since. YouTube his name and you’ll get this
this
and this
All this from a bloke officially topping out at 1.75m and coming from a township Indigenous activist Noel Pearson described in 2007 as a “hellhole”.
On one of my rare trips back to Townsville I had a chat with a few people who said Bowen was not just a champion footballer but a champion bloke to boot.
Bowen’s early career peaked early in the 2005 grand final when he scored the opening try. Although they lost that game, the expectation was that the Bowen/Johnathan Thurston double act would lead us to great things.
Instead, Bowen’s knees went, and with it the Cowboys’ 2008, 2009 and 2010 seasons.
2011 was better, with Bowen breaking the Cowboys’ most games record, before that most stunning of renaissances in 2012.
13 tries, 28 try-assists and second in the Dally M medal count sum up Bowen’s influence on the season; his partnership with Thurston had every team on tenterhooks whenever either came near the ball. That’s without mentioning the 77th minute try at Lang Park to snatch a victory against the Broncos.
Seriously, only a premiership win can beat your favourite player making the winning play against your most hated foes.
Alas, the knees went again this year. He’s come back and come back well, but your head can see why the Cowboys haven’t offered a new contract to a 31-year-old player with bad knees.
The heart on the other hand… If you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go back and watch those clips again.
Matty Bowen, we’re all going to miss you.
up in the north
Guest
Cheers Mango, thanks for the magic memories. You are a credit to your family.
barfly
Guest
good luck with ur future and thanx for the memories u deadset little champion......................................................................
barfly
Guest
good luck with ur future and thanx for the memories u deadest little champion......................................................................
Fran_Gipani
Guest
Yet another league legend. A true gentleman. All the best Matty.
dcnz
Guest
I came over from NZ and got into league about ten years ago. Matty Bowen was always my clear FAVORITE. what a player, scored some unbelievable tries, in the same vein as the All Black fullback legend Christian Cullen...
Elijah Weightman
Roar Guru
Congrats on a spectacular career Matt. You were for long the lone beacon of hope for the Cowboys and you never failed to deliver when the team needed it most. Thanks for the memories, and all of the last minute game winning efforts! You'll be long remembered as one of this club's greatest players and a legend of the game.
Scubloke
Guest
Ask and ye shall receive.
The Greatest Game Of All
Guest
What a player, what a talent, so many gifts, so natural. Would have and should have played more Tests for his country but was ripped off by Ricky Stuart, because he said he was too small, in favour of a turncoat Karmichael Hunt, I'll never forgive Ricky for that. The Cowboys confuse me a lot, they allowed Aaron Payne to play on too long and lose Segeyaro in the process but get rid of Matty? He should've been able to bow out on his own terms, hes still playing very good football! Disgraceful. If he does go to Wigan I'd imagine the warriors fans will love him and treat him well. Thanks for the memories Matty, you'll go down as one of NQ Rugby Leagues finest EVER.
Rellum
Roar Guru
I still love this from last year as well. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5jlJ7IG-WU For him to Burn Slater so completely shows how much speed he did have.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
So much counter attack for such a small bloke! Unbelievably underrated as Rellum said, it was sad to see injuries hurt his career.
Rellum
Roar Guru
One of the best fullbacks I have seen. Massively underrated. You will be missed on the park Mango. The fastest player I can remember over 40-50 metres I have seen, possibly only Renouf would give him a run for his money. Massive step in both directions off a start or at full speed. Great with his hands with a fantastic passing and kicking game. The only player I have really enjoyed watching over the last 10 years.
Bearfax
Guest
Great little player and deserved more from the QLD selectors than he got. His penetrating runs gave Thurston more options in attack and made North Queensland at one stage true premiership contenders. Whenever coaches faced NQ one instruction that would no doubt have gone out time and again was give Bowen no room because once he was on the move he was dazzling. We'll miss his brilliance and his defence wasnt bad either.
db swannie
Guest
I hope the ARLC have the brains to snap him up to promote RL in the top end,especially in the poorer indigenous communities. Show the youth that there is a reward for hard work & commitment.
aaron
Guest
what a super player and person
Alan
Roar Guru
On his day, he was probably the most entertaining fullback to watch play the game in my opinion. Even now his speed is something to behold. His combination with Thurston was at times breathtaking. I hope he and Thurston continue to fire today against the Sharks
bunratty
Guest
Thanks for this. What a talent!!
WooblisFan
Guest
X2.....he was a wonderful talent and awesome plauer.
db swannie
Guest
As a Cows fan ,I knew this day would come,Age & injuries catch up with everyone. Mango has & possibly always will be my Fave player. A One club man,who let his ability do the talking instead of his mouth.Never ever in trouble off field & a great role model for indigenous youth. He also showed that in the bigger/better/faster world of RL there is still a place for the "Little man". I took a young family friend (7 yrs old) to Suncorp for the Broncos V cows game in 2007,was his 1st NRL game. Matty magic wins the game in the last 5 mins & a young fan is hooked for life. I remember walking out back to the train station & the young fella says"This is the BEST night of my Life ,I wish I could go back & do it again". Thankyou Mango for what you gave the game,& an even bigger thankyou for the memories.
Bigbaz
Guest
Been to a couple of Laurie Spina shields in recent years and mango always gives the kids a lot of time. Their favourite player by a mile.