Bowen to inspire Tigers as key guest

FORMER North Queensland, Queensland and Australian star Matty Bowen will headline Tully Tigers’ jersey launch.

The Cairns-born livewire fullback, who played 270 games for the Cowboys and earned 10 State of Origin appearances, will be the special guest as the Tigers launch their plans to go one step further than they did last year.

The Tigers had a successful 2018 season, but fell at the final hurdle as Mossman-Port Douglas ended a 20-year premiership drought in the Cairns District Rugby League decider.

Tully Tigers will hold their jersey launch at Tigers Leagues Club on Friday, February 15, with a trial against Townsville Centrals the next day.

Bowen, the 2007 Dally M fullback of the year who scored 130 tries during a glittering NRL career, ended his NRL run at the Cowboys in 2013, when he moved to English Super League giants Wigan Warriors for two seasons, playing 45 games.

He scored 24 tries and kicked 31 goals in his two seasons at the Warriors.

Last year, Bowen guided Centrals to the Townsville District Rugby League premiership, breaking the club’s 16year drought and winning his first senior grand final.

He scored a try, kicked an impressive nine goals from nine attempts and was named man of the match as he steered the side he coached to a drought-breaking premiership.