Rugby League has been blessed with a number of incredible fullbacks over its history. None of them had the footwork and the ability to make an opposition defender look completely bamboozled quite like Matthew Bowen. At just 85 kilos, Bowen wasn’t the biggest fullback in the game. His lack of size didn’t matter one bit….
The spotlight is on…the first five games: The competition has started taking shape without too many shocks. Here we take a quick look at the main points across the league, from St Helens’ excellent Luke Walsh-led start, to Bradford and London’s struggles at the foot of the table. 1. So far, 1704 have been scored…
With the 2014 season about to begin the supporters of 16 National Rugby League clubs have hearts filled with hope and minds filled with dreams. Right now, anyone can win the Grand Final. Basically, everyone is too bloody happy for my liking! I could have written a normal season preview but there are only about…
We’re almost there. The First Utility Super League is almost upon us, with the 2013 Grand-Final winners taking on the 2013 League Leaders in the first game of the Super League 2014. It could be one of the best games of the year, even though it’s only round 1, with Huddersfield Giants who will want…
The Sydney Roosters host Wigan on the 22nd of February in the first World Club Challenge match held in Australia since the 1997. Wigan are putting everything they have into their preparation for this match. While they did lose fullback Sam Tomkins from their Grand Final winning team they did manage to pick up Matthew…
Daniel Nichols continues his series if season reviews. This time it is the North Queensland Cowboys turn! Finished: 8th Predicted: 5th Fan Prediction: Top 3 Where It Went Right: We all know how the season ended for the Cowboys. 7 tackle try aside, the Cowboys should never have been in a position where a refereeing…
The North Queensland Cowboys season was very strange. Earlier in the season many had them tipped to be one of the premiership heavyweights. As they season progressed though the Cowboys just didn’t look right. I don’t think anyone ever questioned whether the Cowboys had the talent. They are always a dangerous team, they have a…
There are reports that North Queensland Cowboys fullback Matthew Bowen is on the verge of signing a contract with Wigan for the 2014 season. Bowen has been unable to get one last contract extension out of the North Queensland Cowboys who are worried about a degenerative knee injury that has been a constant concern over…
As much as I hate to say it and as much as I love them, I think it’s the best option for the North Queensland Cowboy to release Dallas Johnson, Matthew Bowen & Glenn Hall at seasons end. It’s no secret we have an ageing roster, the old legs in the squad is partly the…
Brent Tate looks like he will retire as a North Queensland Cowboys after re-signing with the club through to the end of the 2014 season. With the re-signing of Jonathan Thurston soaking up a huge amount of the Cowboys salary cap space, the club is starting to look at where it can save a bit…
Johnathan Thurston will see out the remainder of his career at the North Queensland Cowboys after signing a four year contract extension worth around $5 million. The deal makes him the highest paid player in the game and signals a return of huge contracts to Rugby League, something we haven’t seen since The Super League…
Week one of the finals season was sensational, it was one of the best opening weekends of a finals series I can remember. I enjoyed every single game and in week two of the finals, I think we are in for more of the game. Can the Bunnies rebound after a terrible performance? Will the…
The first week of the NRL Finals series kicks off this weekend and it is shaping up as the NRL marketers dream. There are so many big match ups in the first week of the finals and the new finals system should make things easier for fans to follow too. The NRL captains call was…
It was a very interesting first week of the NRL finals and we saw a clear divide between teams in all four games. The top two teams won their matches and get a week off. The bottom two teams are done for the season. That is how it was supposed to be! So lets have…
Last season felt like most of the competition was in transition and only a couple of teams were really primed for a real shot at the title. This season we have a number of different clubs ready to roll. The Storm are looking for redemption. The Dragons are looking to prove it wasn’t just a…
Sometimes it can feel like its a bit of a meat market, and while most players make good, sound decisions, others base their decisions on the wrong factors. I’ve always been a big believer on sticking with something good. When the magic is happening, when everything is going great, don’t leave a club for big…
You see, fans, coaches, club officials and the media can talk as much crap as they like about a player. At the end of the day, as long as he can still play football, he will always come out a winner. As the season draws closer and coaches change their mindset from preparation that will…
Under Matthew Elliotts coaching the Penrith Panthers have yet to have a winning season in his three years on control of the club, Despite this the Penrith Panthers management decided to give him a three year contract extension. Now, during the 2009-10 off season the Penrith Panthers have been spending a lot of money. Penrith…
It was all happening on the Gold Coast this week! The Titans were opening their incredible 27,000 seat stadium and there was a betting plunge on the Cowboys when it was revealed Jonathan Thurston was making an early comback from shoulder surgery. Many felt that with Thurston in the side, the Cowboys were sure things,…
Some brilliant news for Rugby League today with the announcement that Matthew Bowen will remain a North Queensland Cowboys for at least the next 4 years. Bowen is off contract at the end of the 2008 season and with his incredible form you would have to think he would have been in high demand by…
Australia taked on New Zealand in a few weeks time and with the World Cup next year its time for players to cement their place in the side as well as time for selectors to look to the future. With some many great young players coming through the Australian Rugby League ranks right now, the…
Parramatta winger Eric Grothe has once again shown he is as reliable off the field as he is on it by not showing up to an Australian Rugby League team physical. Grothe didnt bother to show up, didn’t tell anyone he wasn’t showing up and has no apologised for not turning up. Thankfully Australian coach…
A great crowd of over 32,000 has seen the Manly Sea Eagles beat the North Queensland Cowboys 28-6. Manly looked the better side for the entire game as the Cowboys just seem to be holding on for most of the match. Playing behind a beaten pack, Thurston, Bowen and Payne were just unable to get…
The North Queensland Cowboys have beaten a brave Canterbury Bulldogs side 20-18 infront of a pack crowd at Dairy Farmers Stadium in Townsville. Jonathan Thurston was simply amazing in attack and defense and proved why he was the player of the year. He was involved in everything and along with Matthew Bowen carved up the…
The Canberra Raiders have made approches to two players but can only afford one of them. One player is Paul Whatuira, New Zealands Test center, a two time Premiership winner, one of the most professional players in the game, a leader and a player that gives you his best every week. The other player is…
After a dominant display for Queensland in the first State Of Origin, and an even more dominant display in the Cowboys win against the Bulldogs just two days later, Jonathan Thurston is in the form of his career. On a night when channel 9 commentator Ray Warren was comparing Cowboys fullback Matthew Bowen to the…
If Queensland have their way the State Of Origin trophy will belong to them on Wednesday night. Their quest to wrap up the series though has taken a beating with Brad Thorn struggling to overcome a sternum injury. After losing prop Steven Price for the series to a knee injury, the Queenslander’s couldn’t afford to…