Freezing NorthEast Stand Faithful wrote:http://www.nrl.com/bowen-set-for-uk-and ... ault.aspx?
Life without Matt Bowen has officially begun at North Queensland with ex-Penrith fullback Lachlan Coote's arrival on Thursday.
But rumours about another No.1 - Wigan star Sam Tomkins - have renewed speculation Bowen will extend his glittering career in England next year.
English reports claim Tomkins this week will finally end months of talk and confirm he has signed a lucrative Warriors NRL deal, meaning Bowen will play with Wigan in 2014.
According to the reports, Wigan asked English international Tomkins to delay announcing his NRL deal until they had secured his replacement Bowen on a one-year contract.
"With North Queensland Cowboys' No.1 Matty Bowen agreeing to a swansong campaign in Super League, they now appear poised to reveal their plans for 2014," a Wigan Today report said.
"Bowen, a firm crowd pleaser for more than a decade in the NRL, is thought to have signed a one-year deal."
Comment was being sought from Bowen's manager Wayne Beavis.
Playing in England's freezing north seemed the last thing on Bowen's mind this week as he spent his final days with Cowboys teammates in north Queensland's sunny Whitsunday islands.
After their NRL finals campaign was cut short by a 20-18 loss, marred by Cronulla's seventh-tackle try last weekend, the Cowboys spent time on North Queensland club chairman Lawrence Lancini's yacht off Airlie Beach.
In one of his final acts as a Cowboy, Bowen drove the team bus for the four-hour trip from Townsville to the idyllic beach town.
Bowen will leave a huge hole at the Cowboys after a 13-year NRL career that produced 267 games - a club record.
North Queensland football manager Peter Parr described the task of filling the ex-Test No.1's shoes would be like "coming in after Bradman".
But Coote said he was excited by the prospect of donning the North Queensland favourite son's No.1 jersey when he toured the club's facilities on Thursday.
"I've got a lot of respect for Matty Bowen. He's done a lot for the game and for the Cowboys as well," said Coote who scored 43 tries in 83 games for Penrith.
"I've watched him play as I've grown up and he's left some fast boots to fill.
"I'm pretty confident that I'll fit in alright. I'm looking forward to it."
Coote will return north for the start of pre-season training in early November.
"I'm hoping that I come out in round one and the fans seem to like me," he said.
"It's a bit nerve-racking coming into a new side and trying to win the fans over.
"I'll just play my game and do what I do best. Hopefully I can provide some excitement."
Matty Bowen
Re: Matty Bowen
Re: Matty Bowen
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MgZl4rYV4Q0[/youtube]
Greg Bretnall
Struggling to find decent footage of Hampo
Bretnall was the 1982 Australian Fullback and was reasonably big but had an Aussie Rules background.
Hampo was small like Bowen but a great leaper.
Greg Bretnall
Struggling to find decent footage of Hampo
Bretnall was the 1982 Australian Fullback and was reasonably big but had an Aussie Rules background.
Hampo was small like Bowen but a great leaper.
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- Joined: Tue May 02, 2006 2:01 pm
Re: Matty Bowen
"Shelling peas" was the phrase I associate with Hampo. We could have a vote on who was the 2nd best under a high ball, but Hampo was miles ahead of anybody, before or since imo.cpwigan wrote:
Hampo was small like Bowen but a great leaper.
If Matt Bowen comes, and if he's anywhere near as good as Hampson, he'll do for me!
Wigan Saints
Re: Matty Bowen
Brought back Memories I do recall the bloke now thanks.cpwigan wrote:[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MgZl4rYV4Q0[/youtube]
Greg Bretnall
Struggling to find decent footage of Hampo
Bretnall was the 1982 Australian Fullback and was reasonably big but had an Aussie Rules background.
Hampo was small like Bowen but a great leaper.
Bowen is more like Hampo's successor Gary Jack imo.
Not a great leaper but a brave reliable pair of hands under the high ball with an outstanding sense of positioning.
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- Posts: 1980
- Joined: Fri Feb 24, 2006 5:53 pm
Re: Matty Bowen
I can assure everyone that Matty is an outstanding player even at 31.There is always a doubt as to wether he settles in England as with any other Aussie particularly from North Queensland where the climate is tropical.If he does settle and his knees hold up he will be the best full back in the competition next season.
Re: Matty Bowen
And Hodgson has got an early release from Warrington
could be going to Salford
could be going to Salford
Re: Matty Bowen
I am very much looking forward to Bowen playing in the Cherry n White
Re: Matty Bowen
Yes me to, hope he can keep fit hes a top player.
- TrueBlueWarrior
- Posts: 6171
- Joined: Wed May 25, 2011 10:17 pm
Re: Matty Bowen
I think he will be a revelation, Amos Roberts like but without the injuries and inconsistency!!
'If you start listening to the fans it won't be long before you're sitting with them.' - Wayne Bennett
Re: Matty Bowen
I am also looking forward to seeing Sam in the NRL next year