Bowen’s raring for debut

ALL the setbacks of 2017 will be long forgotten when Shawn Bowen steps on the park for his Northern Pride debut tomorrow.

The Mossman junior will start on the wing in the Intrust Super Cup clash against Mackay after regaining every bit of his touch and speed for the Sharks for the past month in the CDRL.

You wouldn’t know Bowen ruptured medial and posterior cruciate ligaments in his knee in the preseason, which kept him away from the game for a gruelling four-and-a-half months.

Fortunately it was not a lonely road thanks to the advice of experienced outside backs such as Luke George and Pride coach Ty Williams and all those well-wishers he can repay tomorrow.

“LG helped me out a bit and obviously I spoke to Tybo a lot and he had a few injuries and he just told me don’t rush, just do the little one percenters, do your rehab, tick all the boxes and all the boys were there to ask me how I was doing, which was really good actually. I was in a bad place,” Bowen said.

“That was actually my first major injury. I’ve had niggles but I’ve never had a real serious injury like that so being away for 4.5 months was probably the toughest thing I’ve done.

“The lungs were burning the first couple of games back, but it’s good, I feel a bit fitter, stronger and it’s just good to get some footy back.

“Just getting a touch, playing with the boys and trying to get a crack for Cup, I’ve enjoyed it more.”