Bowen given second chance
Door opens for Javid to make Cowboys return
THE North Queensland Cowboys have thrown a lifeline to former player Javid Bowen to give him the chance to prove he still belongs in the world’s best rugby league competition.
But the rangy outside back has to show new coach Todd Payten he has the hunger to chase a top-level contract and will need to show massive fitness and skill improvements to sew one up for next season.
Bowen will join the Cowboys when they return for pre-season training next week on a short-term arrangement that doubles as a contract audition.
The Northern Pride captain admitted he had all but given up on an NRL comeback, especially after this year’s Intrust Super Cup was cancelled, but said he was grateful to be getting a second chance and would be willing to work hard to make an impression.
“It crossed my mind every now and then, but I hadn’t really thought too much into it,” Bowen said. “If an opportunity does come up, I’ll really consider it, but I haven’t been chasing it, just chilling at the moment.”
Bowen played 36 games for the Cowboys after making his NRL debut in 2016, but struggled to cement a spot in the starting backline during six seasons at the club.
The 27-year-old can provide plenty of strike out wide, with a strong fend and footwork, but has been plagued by constant queries over his fitness and desire when stepping up to the top level.
Bowen was one of six Cowboys to miss out on a contract extension at the end of the 2019 season, alongside fellow Far North juniors Gideon Gela-mosby and Enari Tuala.
But Payten, who was familiar with what Bowen could bring to the side, having spent four seasons as the Cowboys assistant coach prior to joining the Warriors, said the Hope Vale product would be in the running to fill the last vacant spot on the roster.
“We have a position we are looking to fill in the outside backs,” he said. “We’ve got a couple of names on the list, one of them is a local guy here, Javid Bowen.
“I like the way Javid plays his footy and I think with a different approach we can get some good stuff out of him.
“That decision is yet to made but he’s at the front of my mind and on the coaching staff’s lips.”
Pride coach Ty Williams, who played 151 NRL games for the Cowboys, believed Bowen could easily slot back into the NRL system.