There is strong talk that Cowboys fullback Matt Bowen might be the QLD fullback if Billy Slater is out and unable to play – but if he is, QLD have a potential solid replacement in Matt Bowen, with the custodian starring for North Queensland as they blew the Canberra Raiders off the park.
With the final score finishing at 40-18, it was the Cowboys usual star players that made their mark, as the Raiders proved no match for the Cowboys.
For Cowboys coach Neil Henry, he believes that if Bowen is selected, he would not let anyone down.
“He wouldn’t let anyone down, he’s in good form and that’s obviously for Mal and the selectors to decide so they’ll make their decision there,” Henry said.
“But GI (Greg Inglis) was good at fullback (for Souths against the Broncos) as well so it’s whether or not Dane Nielsen comes in but I know Mango (Bowen) is playing good football and he’s got a good combination with JT (Thurston) so they wouldn’t be out of place.”
As the Cowboys looked to overcome the sadness before the game, after the news of Matt Scott’s mother passing, Henry praised his players for the way they responded.
“It got a bit scrappy in the second half and we conceded a few tries which we’re not real happy about but it was a good win in the end,” Henry said.
Although Raiders coach David Furner was pleased with the way his side fought back in the second half, by then, he knew that the game was all but lost.
“I think the frustrating thing is those errors,” he said.
“That puts a lot of pressure on us and I think in the first half we could have defended those errors as well, it’s going to happen in a game and we didn’t.
“We did a better job of it in the second half.”
“I think the frustrating thing is those errors,” he said.
“That puts a lot of pressure on us and I think in the first half we could have defended those errors as well, it’s going to happen in a game and we didn’t.
“We did a better job of it in the second half.”
The news may get even worst for the Raiders, with star player and utility Josh Dugan going off the field with a leg injury – possibly a broken ankle.
“We’re not too sure at the moment but he’ll have a scan but they’re talking about a syndesmosis or a sprained ankle, hopefully it’s just that,” he said.
The Raiders troubles were further compounded, with back-rower Joel Thompson also suffering a broken hand.