Jump to content

Matt Bowen: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous edit
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
No edit summary
 
(523 intermediate revisions by more than 100 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Short description|Australia international rugby league footballer}}
{{about|the [[Rugby league]] Player|the [[American football]] player|Matt Bowen (football player)}}
{{Other people}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2020}}

{{Use Australian English|date=January 2012}}
{{Infobox rugby league biography
{{Infobox rugby league biography
| playername = Matt Bowen
|name = Matt Bowen
|fullname = Matthew Jeremy Bowen
| image = [[Image:Mattbowenround72007.jpg|180px]]
|nickname = Mango
| fullname = Matthew Bowen
|image = Mattbowen2007.jpg
| height = 5 ft 9 ins (1.75 m)
|image_size =
| weight = 12 st 5 lbs (78 kg)
|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1982|3|9|df=yes}}<ref name=" Superleague">{{cite web|url= http://www.superleague.co.uk/matchday/player/1864|title= Matthew Bowen Wigan Warriors|author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.-->|date=2015|website= www.superleague.co.uk|publisher= Rugby Football League|access-date=1 August 2015}}</ref>
| nickname = Matty, Mango, Famian
|birth_place = [[Cairns, Queensland|Cairns]], Queensland, Australia
| position = Full-Back
|height = {{convert|172|cm|ftin|abbr=on}}<ref name="Superleague"/>
| currentclub = North Queensland
|weight = {{convert|85|kg|stlb|abbr=on}}<ref name="Superleague"/>
| clubnumber = 1
|position = {{Rlp|FB}}
| dateofbirth = {{birth date and age|1982|3|9}}
| cityofbirth = [[Cairns, Queensland]]
|club1 = [[North Queensland Cowboys|North Qld Cowboys]]
|year1start = 2001
| countryofbirth = [[Australia]]
|year1end = 13
| youthyears =
|appearances1 = 270
| youthclubs = Abergowrie College
|tries1 = 130
| years = 2001 - present
|goals1 = 36
| clubs = [[North Queensland Cowboys|North Queensland]]
|fieldgoals1 = 5
| caps(points) = 156 (364)
|points1 = 597
| repyears = 2003 - <br />2004 -
|club2 = [[Wigan Warriors]]
| repteam = Queensland<br />Australia
|year2start = 2014
| repcaps(points) = 10 (12) <br />1
|year2end = 15
| pcupdate = 05 September 2007
|appearances2 = 45
| repupdate = 05 Septembre 2007
|tries2 = 24
|goals2 = 31
|fieldgoals2 = 0
|points2 = 158
|teamA = [[Queensland Maroons|Queensland]]
|yearAstart = 2003
|yearAend = 07
|appearancesA = 10
|triesA = 4
|goalsA = 0
|fieldgoalsA = 0
|pointsA = 16
|teamB = [[Australian Kangaroos|Australia]]
|yearBstart = 2004
|yearBend =
|appearancesB = 1
|triesB = 0
|goalsB = 0
|fieldgoalsB = 0
|pointsB = 0
|teamC = {{nowrap|[[Indigenous All Stars (rugby league)|Indigenous All Stars]]}}
|yearCstart = 2011
|yearCend = 12
|appearancesC = 2
|triesC = 1
|goalsC = 0
|fieldgoalsC = 0
|pointsC = 4
|teamD = [[Prime Minister's XIII]]
|yearDstart = 2010
|yearDend = 11
|appearancesD = 2
|triesD = 0
|goalsD = 0
|fieldgoalsD = 0
|pointsD = 0
|retired = yes
|source = <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/znrl/player?playerid=100132&teamid=3399|title=Herald Sun|website=Heraldsun.com.au|access-date=9 October 2017}}</ref><ref name="rugbyleagueproject.org">{{cite web|url=http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/players/matthew-bowen/summary.html|title=Matthew Bowen - Career Stats & Summary - Rugby League Project|first=Shawn Dollin and Andrew|last=Ferguson|website=Rugbyleagueproject.org|access-date=9 October 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cowboys.com.au/default.aspx?s=player-profile-display&id=3617&name=Matthew%20Bowen&team=Cowboys|title=Nth Qld Cowboys|website=Cowboys.com.au|access-date=9 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120320172823/http://www.cowboys.com.au/default.aspx?s=player-profile-display&id=3617&name=Matthew%20Bowen&team=Cowboys|archive-date=20 March 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Rugby league records |id=620 |title=Matt Bowen |access-date=4 November 2024}}</ref>
|updated = 3 August 2016
| module = {{infobox person
| embed = yes
| father =
| mother =
| spouse =
| education =
| alma_mater =
| relatives = [[Brenton Bowen]] (cousin)<br>[[Javid Bowen]] (nephew)
}}
}}
}}


'''Matthew Bowen''' (born 9 [[1982#March|March, 1982]] in [[Cairns]], [[Queensland]]) is an Australian [[rugby league]] player for the [[North Queensland Cowboys]] in the [[National Rugby League]] competition, has played for the [[Queensland State of Origin Team]]. He is considered one of the most exciting and unpredictable player in Rugby League History
'''Matthew Jeremy Bowen''' (born 9 March 1982) is an Australian former professional [[rugby league]] footballer who played in the 2000s and 2010s. An [[Australia national rugby league team|Australia]] international and [[Queensland rugby league team|Queensland]] [[State of Origin series|State of Origin]] representative {{rlp|fb}}, he played in the [[National Rugby League]] (NRL) for Australian club, the [[North Queensland Cowboys]], with whom he set the club's record for most matches, and in the [[Super League]] for English club, the [[Wigan Warriors]]. Bowen was the NRL's top try-scorer in the [[2005 NRL season|2005]] and [[2007 NRL season|2007]] seasons.
Former [[Queensland rugby league team|Queensland]] and [[Australia national rugby league team|Australian]] captain [[Darren Lockyer]] has called Bowen a "little freak", citing his skills and dynamism.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/nrl/the-players-that-helped-queensland-win-five-state-of-origin-series-in-a-row/story-e6frepbx-1225887271303|title=The players that helped Queensland win five State of Origin series in a row|last=Lockyer|first=Darren|date=3 July 2010|work=[[The Courier-Mail]]|access-date=9 October 2011}}</ref> Two-time premiership winning coach [[Phil Gould (rugby league)|Phil Gould]] remarked in 2005 that he was a "modern-day icon of the game", saying that "Bowen has unique football instincts. He performs the difficult with ease and some of his feats have redefined what we once believed to be impossible."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/league/talking-about-y-generation-the-two-kids-are-all-right/2005/10/01/1127804696084.html|title=Talking about Y generation: the two kids are all right|last=Gould|first=Phil|date=2 October 2005|work=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]]|access-date=8 October 2011}}</ref>


==Background==
His club position is Fullback although he is usually used as a utility bench player when playing for Queensland. On the [[2004]] [[Rugby League Tri-Nations|Tri-Nations]] tour of Great Britain he played fullback for [[Australia]] in the tour matches.
Born in [[Cairns, Queensland]], Bowen grew up in the [[Cape York Peninsula|Cape York]] Aboriginal community of [[Hopevale, Queensland|Hopevale]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/nrl/bowen-hopes-to-stay-a-cowboy/story-e6frep5x-1111114456348|title=Bowen hopes to stay a Cowboy|last=Marshall|first=Matt|date=20 September 2007|work=[[The Courier-Mail]]|access-date=7 October 2011}}</ref> He attended [[St. Teresa's College, Abergowrie]] near [[Ingham, Queensland|Ingham]] where he started playing rugby league at the age of 12.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/sport/cowboys-star-puts-hope-back-in-hopevale/story-e6frg7mf-1226032269002|title=Cowboys star puts hope back in Hopevale|last=Read|first=Brent|date=2 April 2011|work=[[The Australian]]|access-date=8 October 2011}}</ref> His school team won the [[Queensland]] schoolboys' competition in 1999 and he was named player of the tournament.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tsv.catholic.edu.au/documents/Term3_TermBrochure_FINAL_INDIG_EMAIL.pdf|title=Our Catholic Schools: Indigenous Education|year=2010|publisher=Diocese of Townsville|access-date=8 October 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120329040845/http://www.tsv.catholic.edu.au/documents/Term3_TermBrochure_FINAL_INDIG_EMAIL.pdf|archive-date=29 March 2012}}</ref><ref name="Walter">{{cite news|url=http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/09/16/1095320902135.html|title=From cattle property to hot property|last=Walter|first=Brad|date=17 September 2004|work=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]]|access-date=8 October 2011}}</ref> His schoolboy exploits attracted the attention of a number of NRL clubs in Sydney and Brisbane (including the [[Brisbane Broncos|Broncos]], [[St George Illawarra Dragons|Dragons]] and [[Cronulla Sharks|Sharks]]); however, he chose to pursue his professional career with his local team, the [[North Queensland Cowboys]].<ref name="Walter"/> In 2000, he was part of the Cowboys' reserve grade team that made the grand final of the reserve grade competition and was selected for the [[Queensland rugby league team|Queensland]] under-19 team.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/article/2008/05/24/13331_sport.html|title=Honour for league greats|date=24 May 2008|work=[[Townsville Bulletin]]|access-date=8 October 2011}}</ref>


==Playing career==
==Playing career==
===2001===
Bowen's love for the game grew from his upbringing in the remote [[Cape York]] town of [[Hopevale, Queensland|Hopevale]], under the guidance of his father and mother who watched him playing football, fishing, and riding horses.With his cousin [[Brenton Bowen]] started his junior playing career with both Souths in [[Townsville]] and playing for his school, Abergowrie College. Impressing many with his pace, agility and ability, he was duly selected in the Queensland Schoolboys in 1999, Queensland Under 19's in 2000 and the Junior Kangaroos in 2001. Despite his early athletic achievements, he was always told he was too small, and coaches typically felt he was too light-weight to play in the major leagues. {{Fact|date=June 2007}} However, Bowen has proven time and time again that skill, finesse, and brilliant decision making are capable of beating bulk {{POV-statement}}. He is notorious for using an [[Allen Iverson]]-like cross-over move in rugby league, known as a sidestep, that only few can master in a fast professional game. {{POV-statement}}
Bowen made his NRL debut in Round 1 of the [[2001 NRL season]] against [[Queensland derby|Queensland rivals]], the [[Brisbane Broncos]], coming off the bench in his side's 17–18 loss at [[Dairy Farmers Stadium]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cowboys.com.au/default.aspx?s=player-profile-display&id=3617&name=Matthew%20Bowen&team=Cowboys|title=Player profile: Matt Bowen|publisher=[[North Queensland Cowboys]]|access-date=8 October 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120320172823/http://www.cowboys.com.au/default.aspx?s=player-profile-display&id=3617&name=Matthew%20Bowen&team=Cowboys|archive-date=20 March 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> He scored his first NRL try in Round 9 against the [[Canberra Raiders]], coming off the bench again in a 26–34 loss.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/seasons/nrl-2001/round-9/canberra-vs-north-queensland/summary.html|title=NRL 2001 - Round 9 - Rugby League Project|first=Shawn Dollin and Andrew|last=Ferguson|website=Rugbyleagueproject.org|access-date=9 October 2017}}</ref>


In his rookie season, Bowen played 15 games, scoring six tries and kicking one goal. After spending time on the bench and at five-eighth, Bowen played his primary position of fullback for the final seven games of the season. At the end of the season Bowen was selected at halfback for the [[Junior Kangaroos]], alongside future Cowboys teammates [[Dallas Johnson]], [[Micheal Luck]] and [[Brent Tate]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/matches/Custom/Ni03LTQtLS0tLS0xMjMtLS0tLS0tLS0tLS0t|title=Custom Match List - Rugby League Project|first=Shawn Dollin and Andrew|last=Ferguson|website=Rugbyleagueproject.org|access-date=9 October 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sportingpulse.com/mysport.cgi?a=BLOG_VIEWLIST&msID=1348234|title=myRugbyLeague|website=SportsTG|access-date=9 October 2017}}</ref>
===North Queensland Cowboys===
Bowen was signed by the [[North Queensland Cowboys]] in his teens, and made his first grade debut on February 17, 2001 against state rivals the [[Brisbane Broncos]] at [[Dairy Farmers Stadium]].


===2002===
In [[NRL season 2005|2005]], Bowen was at the top of the try-scorers list with 21. {{Fact|date=July 2007}} He, combined with player of the year [[Johnathan Thurston]], lead a young Cowboys side to the Grand final, eventually falling short in a 30-16 loss to the [[Wests Tigers]]. Bowen was again added to the tour of [[England]] but was not used in a controversial decision {{Fact|date=June 2007}}.
Despite finishing 2001 as the club's starting fullback, Bowen vacated the role at the start of the [[2002 NRL season]] for the returning [[Tim Brasher]], who was the Cowboys' captain at the time. Bowen played on the wing in Round 1, in a game where Brasher would once again succumb to injury, vacating the fullback spot. In Round 2, Bowen played five-eighth in the Cowboys' loss to the Broncos before taking over the fullback position permanently a week later. Bowen enjoyed a breakout season in 2002, scoring 12 tries in 24 games, including a run of five games in which he scored a try.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/matches/Custom/Ni04LTQtLS0tLS0xMjMtLS0tLS0tLS0tLS0t|title=Custom Match List - Rugby League Project|first=Shawn Dollin and Andrew|last=Ferguson|website=Rugbyleagueproject.org|access-date=9 October 2017}}</ref>


===2003===
In 2006, Bowen gained starting selection for the Queensland team. After scoring the most tries in 2005 (21) he scored only a low 5 in 2006.
In 2003, Bowen made his representative debut, being called up to the [[Queensland rugby league team|Queensland]] team for Game II of the [[2003 State of Origin series|State of Origin series]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.leagueunlimited.com/article.php?newsid=1720|title=Queensland Springs 2 Surprises|date=16 June 2003|work=League Unlimited|access-date=8 October 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120405153020/http://www.leagueunlimited.com/article.php?newsid=1720|archive-date=5 April 2012}}</ref> He played 16 minutes as a substitute, as Queensland lost the series.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2003/07/06/1057430079581.html|title=Wesser in line for Maroons call-up|date=6 July 2003|work=[[The Age]]|access-date=8 October 2011|location=Melbourne}}</ref> He was selected again for Game III of the series, coming off the bench in Queensland's 36–6 win.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/matches/state-of-origin-2003/game-3/queensland-vs-new-south-wales/summary.html|title=State Of Origin 2003 Series - Game 3 - Rugby League Project|first=Shawn Dollin and Andrew|last=Ferguson|website=Rugbyleagueproject.org|access-date=9 October 2017}}</ref>


Bowen played 20 NRL games in 2003, scoring nine tries, including his first NRL [[hat-trick]] in the Cowboys' 60–8 win over the [[South Sydney Rabbitohs]] in Round 24.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/seasons/nrl-2003/round-24/north-queensland-vs-south-sydney/summary.html|title=NRL 2003 - Round 24 - Rugby League Project|first=Shawn Dollin and Andrew|last=Ferguson|website=Rugbyleagueproject.org|access-date=9 October 2017}}</ref>
In 2007, Bowen has displayed the attacking brilliance he is renowned for has resulted in him leading the [[NRL]] after 20 rounds in tries scored (18) and line breaks (24). {{Fact|date=July 2007}} After being not selected for the first 2 games of the [[2007 Rugby League State of Origin series]], his form was rewarded on [[30 June]] [[2007]] with a late call up to replace the injured [[Jacob Lillyman]] in the final game of the series.


===Representative Career===
===2004===
The Cowboys made the finals series for the first time in [[2004 NRL season|2004]], with Bowen playing a key role in the side which finished one match short of their first Grand Final. In 23 games, he scored 11 tries, including one in the Cowboys first ever finals game, a 30–22 victory over the [[Canterbury Bulldogs]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/seasons/nrl-2004/qualifying-final/bulldogs-vs-north-queensland/summary.html|title=NRL 2004 - Qualif Final - Rugby League Project|first=Shawn Dollin and Andrew|last=Ferguson|website=Rugbyleagueproject.org|access-date=9 October 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/matches/Custom/Ni0xMC00LS0tLS0tMTIzLS0tLS0tLS0tLS0tLQ==|title=Custom Match List - Rugby League Project|first=Shawn Dollin and Andrew|last=Ferguson|website=Rugbyleagueproject.org|access-date=9 October 2017}}</ref> Bowen once again represented Queensland in 2004, playing in all three [[2004 State of Origin series|games]] and scoring his first Origin try in the Maroons' Game III loss.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/matches/state-of-origin-2004/game-3/new-south-wales-vs-queensland/summary.html|title=State Of Origin 2004 Series - Game 3 - Rugby League Project|first=Shawn Dollin and Andrew|last=Ferguson|website=Rugbyleagueproject.org|access-date=9 October 2017}}</ref>
He finished the 2004 season on a high by being selected for Australia for the Tri-Nations Tour to England. While he did not play an official Test match, he played fullback for the ANZACs (against Cumbria), for Australia against France, and again against the USA in the match at Philadelphia on the return leg of the tour. During this game, a fatigued Australian side that had conquered England and played a lengthy representative and club season were losing to the United States and used Bowen from the bench who scored three tries, resulting in eventual victory for the Australian side.


At the end of the season Bowen was selected in the [[Australian national rugby league team|Australian Kangaroos]] squad for the [[2004 Rugby League Tri-Nations|Tri-Nations series]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.leagueunlimited.com/article.php?newsid=5795|title=Timmins omitted from Kangaroo squad|last=Williams|first=Steven|date=4 October 2004|work=League Unlimited|access-date=8 October 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120405153028/http://www.leagueunlimited.com/article.php?newsid=5795|archive-date=5 April 2012}}</ref> He played at fullback in a tour match against [[Cumbria rugby league team|Cumbria]], scoring a try, although he did not play in the Tri-Nations series, with [[Anthony Minichiello]] preferred as the Kangaroos' fullback.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=3604815|title=League: Anzacs pack too much power and pace|last=Lowe|first=Robert|date=28 October 2004|work=[[The New Zealand Herald]]|access-date=8 October 2011}}</ref> However, after the Tri-Nations series, he made his Test debut in a one-off match against [[France national rugby league team|France]] in [[Carcassonne]], that Australia won 52&ndash;30.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/11/22/1100972299513.html|title=Australia lucky to beat France|date=22 November 2004|work=[[The Age]]|access-date=8 October 2011|location=Melbourne}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/League/Lockyer-undaunted-as-firedup-French-take-aim-at-his-injury/2004/11/19/1100838227782.html|title=Lockyer undaunted as fired-up French take aim at his injury|last=Mascord|first=Steve|date=20 November 2004|work=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]]|access-date=8 October 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/League/Bennett-on-the-offensive-over-citing/2004/11/18/1100748146045.html|title=Bennett on the offensive over citing|last=Mascord|first=Steve|date=19 November 2004|work=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]]|access-date=8 October 2011}}</ref> On the touring squad's return journey to Australia, he scored three tries in a non-Test exhibition match against the [[United States national rugby league team|United States]] in [[Philadelphia]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/League/Kangaroos-survive-surprise-Tomahawk-attack/2004/12/01/1101577535305.html|title=Kangaroos survive surprise Tomahawk attack|date=1 December 2004|work=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]]|access-date=8 October 2011}}</ref>
Bowen proved to be the game-breaker in the first match of the [[2005 Rugby League State of Origin series]]. After coming off the bench in the second half, he intercepted a pass from New South Wales Half-Back [[Brett Kimmorley]] and ran 40m to score in Extra Time, thus winning the game for Queensland. Bowen would also score tries in the second and third game of the and would gain a starting selection for Game 3 before being dropped after Game 1 of the [[2006 Rugby League State of Origin series|2006 Series]].


== Statistics ==
===2005===
In 2005, halfback [[Johnathan Thurston]] joined the Cowboys, in what would prove to have a major effect on not just the club but on Bowen's career. Over the next nine seasons, Bowen and Thurston would form one of the competition's most dangerous combinations.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://rugbyleagueopinions.com/combinations-five-of-the-best/ |title=Combinations: Five of the Best - Rugby League Opinions |website=rugbyleagueopinions.com |access-date=13 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160203184845/http://rugbyleagueopinions.com/combinations-five-of-the-best/ |archive-date=3 February 2016 |url-status=dead}}</ref> On the back of Thurston and Bowen, the Cowboys made it to the [[2005 NRL Grand Final]], the club's first. Despite Bowen scoring the opening try, they lost to the [[Wests Tigers]], 30&ndash;16. Bowen's 21 tries in 2005 made him the competition's top try scorer.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://stats.rleague.com/rl/scorers/2005_sc.html |title=2005 Point Scorers |publisher=rleague.com |access-date=8 October 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100704183951/http://stats.rleague.com/rl/scorers/2005_sc.html |archive-date=4 July 2010 }}</ref>
===Club Football===
'''North Queensland Cowboys'''<br>
Bowen was again selected for Queensland in the [[2005 State of Origin series]]. In Game I of the series, he proved to be the game-breaker. After coming off the bench in the second half, he intercepted a pass from New South Wales half-back [[Brett Kimmorley]] and ran 40m to score in [[golden point]] extra time, thus winning the game for Queensland.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/League/Bowen-breaks-Blues-hearts/2005/05/25/1116950761299.html|title=Bowen breaks Blues' hearts|last=Mascord|first=Steve|date=26 May 2005|work=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]]|access-date=8 October 2011}}</ref> Bowen would also score tries in the second and third games of the series, although Queensland lost both matches to lose the series. He was selected in Queensland's starting line-up in the third match for the first time in his career, displacing [[Billy Slater]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/league/slater-dropped-for-the-decider/2005/06/27/1119724577105.html|title=Slater dropped for the decider|date=28 June 2005|work=[[The Age]]|access-date=8 October 2011|location=Melbourne|first=John|last=Salvado}}</ref>
2001 - Present

{| class="wikitable"
===2006===
In [[2006 NRL season|2006]], Bowen and the Cowboys failed to capitalise on their progress from the previous season, finishing ninth on the ladder and missing the finals series. Bowen played Game I of the [[2006 State of Origin series]] but was dropped from Queensland's side for Game II.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2006-06-13/bowen-called-up-to-maroons-squad/1777054|title=Bowen called up to Maroons squad|date=13 June 2006|work=[[ABC News (Australia)]]|access-date=8 October 2011}}</ref> He scored just five tries in 24 matches for the Cowboys, one of the lowest season tallies of his career.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://stats.rleague.com/rl/scorers/2006_sc.html|title=2006 Point Scorers|publisher=rleague.com|access-date=8 October 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110903181526/http://stats.rleague.com/rl/scorers/2006_sc.html|archive-date=3 September 2011}}</ref>

===2007===
In 2007, Bowen enjoyed his most successful individual season. He regained his top try scorer's title, with 22 tries, and also made the most line breaks (32) and tackle breaks (220) in the NRL.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport-old/gallery-e6freraf-1111119901935?page=3|title=Top 10 rugby league stars|year=2007|publisher=[[The Courier-Mail]]|access-date=8 October 2011}}</ref> He returned to the Queensland squad for Game III of the [[2007 State of Origin series|State of Origin series]], and the Cowboys returned to the NRL finals, finishing third on the ladder. He was voted by his peers as the Rugby League Player Association's Player of the Year, was named the Cowboys' Player of the Year for the first and only time in his career, was named [[Rugby League Week]] Player of the Year and was named Fullback of the Year at the [[2007 Dally M Awards]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/12/15/2119793.htm?site=queensland|title=Bowen voted players' player|date=15 December 2007|work=[[ABC News (Australia)]]|access-date=9 October 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cowboys.com.au/default.aspx?s=honours |title=Honours |publisher=[[North Queensland Cowboys]] |access-date=8 October 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111012233017/http://www.cowboys.com.au/default.aspx?s=honours |archive-date=12 October 2011 }}</ref> He also signed a new contract to remain at the Cowboys through the 2011 season, with his coach [[Graham Murray]] claiming he was the "best fullback in the game".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/cowboys-retain-bowen/story-e6frexnr-1111114947443|title=NRL Cowboys retain Bowen|date=23 November 2007|work=[[The Daily Telegraph (Sydney)]]|access-date=8 October 2011}}</ref>

Despite the accolades for his performances during the year, Bowen was controversially omitted from the Kangaroos side to face New Zealand at the end of the season, as [[Brett Stewart (rugby league)|Brett Stewart]] and [[Kurt Gidley]] were preferred at fullback.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/10/02/2048863.htm?site=tropic|title=Cowboys' chief says Bowen must accept Kangaroos selection snub|date=2 October 2007|work=[[ABC News (Australia)]]|access-date=8 October 2011}}</ref> Kangaroos' coach [[Ricky Stuart]] argued that Bowen's small stature was a factor against his selection.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/bowen-too-small-says-stuart/story-e6frexnr-1111114560260|title=Bowen too small, says Stuart|date=3 October 2007|work=[[The Daily Telegraph (Sydney)]]|access-date=8 October 2011}}</ref> Former dual-code international [[Wendell Sailor]] argued that selectors were correct to leave Bowen out of the national team, suggesting that his form in club football had not been replicated at State of Origin level.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/league/28743|title=Bowen's omission shocks|date=3 October 2007|work=[[Stuff.co.nz]]|access-date=8 October 2011}}</ref>
[[File:Matt Bowen (22 September 2008).jpg|thumb|right|150px|Bowen in 2008]]

===2008===
Bowen started the [[2008 NRL season]] slowly, missing Rounds 4 and 5 due to a left knee injury. He returned in Round 6 against the [[New Zealand Warriors|Warriors]] and scored three tries.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/bowens-hat-trick-haunts-road-warriors/story-e6frg7mo-1111116110880|title=Matt Bowen returns with hat-trick for Cowboys|date=20 April 2008|work=[[The Australian]]|access-date=9 October 2011}}</ref> However, three weeks later, Bowen injured his knee again and underwent surgery that ruled him out of action for the rest of the season.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2008/06/19/2279609.htm|title=Bowen going home to rest|last=Zane|first=Bojack|date=19 June 2008|work=ABC Local}}</ref> Without him, North Queensland finished 15th on the NRL ladder.

===2009===
Bowen returned from his knee injury in the 2009 pre-season.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/nrl/bowen-eases-back-in-draw/story-e6frep7f-1111118997063|title=Matt Bowen comes back after agonising wait|last=Marshall|first=Matt|date=28 February 2009|work=[[The Sunday Mail (Brisbane)]]|access-date=28 February 2013}}</ref> He scored 12 tries in 20 games before he injured his right knee in August in the same way that he had injured his left knee the previous season. Another round of surgery followed, ruling him out for the remainder of the season and the beginning of the next.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.foxsports.com.au/league/nrl-premiership/north-queensland-cowboys-star-matt-bowen-ruled-out-for-10-months/story-fn2mcuj6-1225765639984|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120730135223/http://www.foxsports.com.au/league/nrl-premiership/north-queensland-cowboys-star-matt-bowen-ruled-out-for-10-months/story-fn2mcuj6-1225765639984|url-status=dead|archive-date=30 July 2012|title=North Queensland Cowboys star Matt Bowen ruled out for 10 months|last=Alston|first=Josh|date=24 August 2009|work=[[Townsville Bulletin]]|access-date=9 October 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/sport/matt-bowen-spurs-north-queensland-cowboys-against-roosters/story-e6frg7mf-1225864762103|title=Matt Bowen spurs North Queensland Cowboys against he was quickly becoming the game's premier fullback.Roosters|last=Honeysett|first=Stuart|date=11 May 2010|work=[[The Australian]]|access-date=9 October 2011}}</ref>

===2010===
The Cowboys endured a disastrous [[2010 NRL season]], finishing 15th on the ladder. Bowen missed half the season due to the knee reconstruction he had in 2009, making his NRL return in the Cowboys' Round 9 win over the [[Sydney Roosters]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/seasons/nrl-2010/round-9/sydney-vs-north-queensland/summary.html|title=NRL 2010 - Round 9 - Rugby League Project|first=Shawn Dollin and Andrew|last=Ferguson|website=Rugbyleagueproject.org|access-date=9 October 2017}}</ref> Four months later, Bowen played his 200th match for the Cowboys, in their Round 26 loss to the [[Sydney Roosters|Roosters]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/nrl/roosters-home-against-cowboys/story-e6frfgbo-1225914262160|title=Sydney Roosters beat North Queensland Cowboys 18-8|last=Ricketts|first=Steve|date=5 September 2010|work=[[Herald Sun]]|access-date=9 October 2011}}</ref> Bowen ended the 2010 season with a career low of two tries.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/matches/Custom/Ni03MzgtNC0tLS0tLTEyMy0tLS0tLS0tLS0tLS0=|title=Custom Match List - Rugby League Project|first=Shawn Dollin and Andrew|last=Ferguson|website=Rugbyleagueproject.org|access-date=9 October 2017}}</ref> Despite the poor season, Bowen was selected in the [[Prime Minister's XIII]] side that faced [[Papua New Guinea national rugby league team|Papua New Guinea]] in [[Port Moresby]].

===2011===
The [[2011 NRL season]] saw Bowen return to his best form, scoring 8 tries in 25 games. He reached another milestone early in the season, surpassing former teammate [[Paul Bowman (rugby league)|Paul Bowman]]'s record for the most NRL games by a Cowboys player.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/league/5383626/Cowboys-fullback-Bowen-re-signs-until-2013|title=Cowboys fullback Bowen re-signs until 2013|date=3 August 2011|work=[[Stuff.co.nz]]|access-date=9 October 2011}}</ref> The Cowboys had an improved season, finishing seventh on the ladder and returning to the finals series. At the end of the season, Bowen was once again selected for the Prime Minister's XIII side.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/hindmarsh-to-captain-pms-xiii-against-png-20110914-1k8v7.html|title=Hindmarsh to captain PM's XIII against PNG|date=14 September 2011|work=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]]|access-date=9 October 2011}}</ref> During the season, Bowen signed a new contract with the Cowboys through 2013, citing his "love" for the club and a desire to continue to be close to his extended family. He had considered competing offers to play in England.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-08-03/bowen-stays-loyal-to-cowboys/2823236|title=Bowen stays loyal to Cowboys|last=Bojack|first=Zane|date=3 August 2011|work=[[ABC News (Australia)]]|access-date=9 October 2011}}</ref> After the season, he was shortlisted for the [[Rugby League International Federation]]'s Fullback of the Year award.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://tvnz.co.nz/rugby-league-news/marshall-vying-second-golden-boot-4496808?ref=rss|title=Marshall vying for second Golden Boot|date=2 November 2011|work=[[TVNZ]]|access-date=2 November 2011}}</ref>

===2012===
During the [[2012 NRL season]] Bowen surpassed the 250 game mark in the Cowboys first home elimination final since 2007, in which they defeated the Broncos 33–16. He recorded 28 try assists in 2012, more than the team's halfback Johnathan Thurston (25), and was 18th man for Queensland in Game III of the [[2012 State of Origin series]]. At the end of the season, Bowen came second in the Dally M Medal tally with 26 points and was a finalist for Dally M Fullback of the Year. He finished 2012 with 13 tries, his most in a season since 2007.

===2013===
The [[2013 NRL season]] would be Bowen's last with the Cowboys. On 30 August Bowen announced he would be leaving the club at the end of the season.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.zerotackle.com/nrl/bowen-to-farewell-the-nrl-10944/#TZxq0HxrHy5HDH3L.97|title=Bowen to farewell the NRL - Zero Tackle|date=30 August 2013|website=Zerotackle.com|access-date=9 October 2017}}</ref> In his final NRL season, Bowen played 19 games and scored six tries. In Round 26, Bowen played his final home game at [[1300SMILES Stadium]]. He was chaired from the field by his teammates after his team's 50–22 victory over the [[Wests Tigers]], in which Bowen scored two tries.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/seasons/nrl-2013/round-26/north-queensland-vs-wests-tigers/summary.html|title=NRL 2013 - Round 26 - Rugby League Project|first=Shawn Dollin and Andrew|last=Ferguson|website=Rugbyleagueproject.org|access-date=9 October 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/rugby-league-match-centre/live-cowboys-v-tigers-20130906-2tadz.html|title=Live: Cowboys v Tigers|first=Phil|last=Mitchell|access-date=9 October 2017|newspaper=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]]}}</ref> He played his final NRL game a week later in the Cowboys' elimination final loss to the [[Cronulla Sharks]] at [[Sydney Football Stadium (1988)|Allianz Stadium]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/seasons/nrl-2013/qualifying-final/cronulla-vs-north-queensland/summary.html|title=NRL 2013 - Qualif Final - Rugby League Project|first=Shawn Dollin and Andrew|last=Ferguson|website=Rugbyleagueproject.org|access-date=9 October 2017}}</ref>

Bowen later said, "I was told I wasn't needed at the club at the time. You get called into the office and they say they haven't got room for you next year … I didn't know what to say …Two years later they won the comp and I would have been a part of it. It was a kick in the guts. Obviously I did so much for this club and my missus is still bitter about it today."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://wwos.nine.com.au/nrl/news-2024-the-mole-matt-bowen-cowboys-retirement-wigan-warriors-career/4f8e2a9f-b0e7-4b5f-a09c-9b7e5c265b5a?|title=Cowboys icon Matt Bowen drops bombshell on club over 2013 'kick in the guts' |website=Wide World of Sports|date=20 March 2024 }}</ref>

On 24 September, the [[Wigan Warriors]] announced the signing of Bowen for the 2014 season as a replacement for departing fullback [[Sam Tomkins]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.zerotackle.com/nrl/wigan-sign-bowen-as-tomkins-replacement-11158/#HkrHB54ZW26XpPU4.97|title=Wigan sign Bowen as Tomkins replacement - Zero Tackle|date=24 September 2013|website=Zerotackle.com|access-date=9 October 2017}}</ref>
[[File:Matt Bowen 2014.jpg|thumb|right|Bowen playing for [[Wigan Warriors]] in 2014]]

===2014===
Bowen's first match for [[Wigan Warriors|Wigan]] was at home against [[Huddersfield Giants|Huddersfield]] in Round 1 of the [[2014 Super League season]], which Wigan lost 8-24.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/26041288|title=Super League: Wigan Warriors 8-24 Huddersfield Giants|date=7 February 2014|website=BBC|access-date=9 October 2017}}</ref> Two weeks later, Bowen returned to Australia and played in Wigan's 14-36 [[2014 World Club Challenge|World Club Challenge]] loss to the [[Sydney Roosters]]. Despite a questionable start to his Wigan career, Bowen ended his first season in England with 15 tries from 24 games, including a hat-trick against the [[Hunslet R.L.F.C.|Hunslet Hawks]] in the [[2014 Challenge Cup|Challenge Cup]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/nrl/wigan-fans-turn-on-matt-bowen-after-a-thumping-loss-in-his-first-game-in-english-super-league/story-fniabjcr-1226821937228|title='Fatty' Bowen jeered by Wigan fans|website=Couriermail.com.au|access-date=9 October 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/competitions/challenge-cup-2014/game-5/wigan-vs-hunslet/summary.html |title=Challenge Cup 2014 - Rugby League Project |access-date=2016-01-29 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150623233439/http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/competitions/challenge-cup-2014/game-5/wigan-vs-hunslet/summary.html |archive-date=23 June 2015}}</ref>

On 16 July, Bowen re-signed with Wigan until the end of 2015.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://rugbyleagueweek.com.au/bowen-re-signs-wigan/ |title=BOWEN RE-SIGNS WITH WIGAN - Rugby League Week |access-date=2016-01-29 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160203051516/http://rugbyleagueweek.com.au/bowen-re-signs-wigan/ |archive-date=3 February 2016}}</ref> Wigan reached the [[2014 Super League Grand Final]] and Bowen played at fullback in their loss to [[St Helens R.F.C.|St Helens]] at [[Old Trafford]].<ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyleague/11156623/St-Helens-14-Wigan-Warriors-6-Moment-of-madness-from-Wales-international-Ben-Flower-costs-Wigan-dear.html|title= St Helens 14 Wigan Warriors 6: Moment of madness from Wales international Ben Flower costs Wigan dear|date= 11 October 2014 |work=The Daily Telegraph|access-date=15 October 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2014/oct/11/st-helens-wigan-super-league-grand-final-match-report|title= St Helens win Grand Final after Wigan's Ben Flower is sent off|date= 11 October 2014 |work=The Guardian|access-date=15 October 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/rugby-league/29559845|title= St Helens 14–6 Wigan Warriors|date= 11 October 2014 |work=BBC Sport|access-date=15 October 2014}}</ref>

===2015===
Bowen began the [[2015 Super League|2015 Super League season]] as Wigan's first choice fullback. Two weeks later, Bowen faced his former club's old rivals the [[Brisbane Broncos]] for the final time, in Wigan's 12-14 [[2015 World Club Series|World Club Series]] loss.

On 7 July, Wigan announced that Bowen would not be offered and new contract.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.skysports.com/rugby-league/news/12196/9912998/matty-bowen-set-to-leave-wigan-warriors-at-the-end-of-the-season|title=Matty Bowen set to leave Wigan Warriors at the end of the season|website=Skysports.com|access-date=9 October 2017}}</ref> Bowen took over Wigan's goalkicking duties towards the end of the season, kicking 31 goals and scoring 9 tries in his final season.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/matches/Custom/NDItLS0tLS0tLTEyMy0tLS0tLS0tLS0tLS0=|title=Custom Match List - Rugby League Project|first=Shawn Dollin and Andrew|last=Ferguson|website=Rugbyleagueproject.org|access-date=9 October 2017}}</ref>

Bowen's final match was the [[2015 Super League Grand Final]], in which he scored a try and kicked four goals in Wigan's 20–22 loss to the [[Leeds Rhinos]] at [[Old Trafford]], meaning that he ended his career with a third Grand Final defeat.<ref name="Leeds pip Wigan to seal treble after brilliant, breathless Grand Final">{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/oct/10/leeds-wigan-super-league-grand-final-match-report|title=Leeds pip Wigan to seal treble after brilliant, breathless Grand Final|work=The Guardian|date=10 October 2015|access-date=8 November 2019}}</ref>

===2016===
Bowen participated in the 2016 [[NRL Auckland Nines]] Tournament, returning for the North Queensland Cowboys as a final farewell to the club and his playing career.

Bowen would later go on to sign with the [[Townsville Blackhawks]] in Round 11 of the [[Intrust Super Cup]], debuting for the club in Round 12. He would receive man of the match honours in the Blackhawks 32–12 victory over the [[Norths Devils]] in Round 13, scoring a try and setting up another two.

==Achievements and accolades==
===Individual===
'''[[Dally M]] Fullback of the Year:''' 2007 <br />
'''[[Rugby League Week]] Player of the Year:''' 2007 <br />
'''[[North Queensland Cowboys]] Player of the Year:''' 2007 <br />
'''[[North Queensland Cowboys]] Players' player of the Year:''' 2007 <br />
'''RLPA Player of the Year''' 2007 <br />
'''[[North Queensland Cowboys]] Life Member''' <br />
'''[[North Queensland Cowboys]] 10th Anniversary team''' <br />
'''[[North Queensland Cowboys]] 20th Anniversary team'''

===Team===
'''[[2005 NRL Grand Final]]:''' [[North Queensland Cowboys]] – Runners-up<br />
'''[[2014 Super League Grand Final]]:''' [[Wigan Warriors]] - Runners-up<br />
'''[[2015 Super League Grand Final]]:''' [[Wigan Warriors]] - Runners-up

==Statistics==
===NRL===
: ''Statistics are correct to the end of the 2013 season''<ref name="rugbyleagueproject.org"/>

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size:90%; text-align:center; width:85%;"
|-
|-
!width=2%|Season
! Matches !! Tries !! Goals !! Field Goals !! Points
!width=8%|Team
!width=2%|Matches
!width=2%|T
!width=2%|G
!width=2%|GK %
!width=2%|F/G
!width=2%|Pts
|-
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center; font-weight:normal"| [[2001 North Queensland Cowboys season|2001]]
| 156 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0
|style="text-align:center;"|{{leagueicon|North Queensland|16}} [[North Queensland Cowboys|North Queensland]]
| 15|| 6|| 1/2|| 50.00%|| 0|| 26
|- style="background-color: #EAEAEA"
! scope="row" style="text-align:center; font-weight:normal"| [[2002 North Queensland Cowboys season|2002]]
|style="text-align:center;"|{{leagueicon|North Queensland|16}} [[North Queensland Cowboys|North Queensland]]
| 24|| 12|| 5/9|| 55.56%|| 0|| 58
|-
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center; font-weight:normal"| [[2003 North Queensland Cowboys season|2003]]
|style="text-align:center;"|{{leagueicon|North Queensland|16}} [[North Queensland Cowboys|North Queensland]]
| 20|| 9|| 5/8|| 55.56%|| 0|| 46
|- style="background-color: #EAEAEA"
! scope="row" style="text-align:center; font-weight:normal"| [[2004 North Queensland Cowboys season|2004]]
|style="text-align:center;"|{{leagueicon|North Queensland|16}} [[North Queensland Cowboys|North Queensland]]
| 23|| 11|| 0|| —|| 0|| 44
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center; font-weight:normal"| [[2005 North Queensland Cowboys season|2005]]
|style="text-align:center;"|{{leagueicon|North Queensland|16}} [[North Queensland Cowboys|North Queensland]]
| 25|| 21|| 0|| —|| 0|| 84
|- style="background-color: #EAEAEA"
! scope="row" style="text-align:center; font-weight:normal"| [[2006 North Queensland Cowboys season|2006]]
|style="text-align:center;"|{{leagueicon|North Queensland|16}} [[North Queensland Cowboys|North Queensland]]
| 24|| 5|| 0|| —|| 0|| 20
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center; font-weight:normal"| [[2007 North Queensland Cowboys season|2007]]
|style="text-align:center;"|{{leagueicon|North Queensland|16}} [[North Queensland Cowboys|North Queensland]]
| 27|| 22|| 0|| —|| 3|| 91
|- style="background-color: #EAEAEA"
! scope="row" style="text-align:center; font-weight:normal"| [[2008 North Queensland Cowboys season|2008]]
|style="text-align:center;"|{{leagueicon|North Queensland|16}} [[North Queensland Cowboys|North Queensland]]
| 6|| 3|| 0|| —|| 0|| 12
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center; font-weight:normal"| [[2009 North Queensland Cowboys season|2009]]
|style="text-align:center;"|{{leagueicon|North Queensland|16}} [[North Queensland Cowboys|North Queensland]]
| 20|| 12|| 0|| —|| 0|| 48
|- style="background-color: #EAEAEA"
! scope="row" style="text-align:center; font-weight:normal"| [[2010 North Queensland Cowboys season|2010]]
|style="text-align:center;"|{{leagueicon|North Queensland|16}} [[North Queensland Cowboys|North Queensland]]
| 16|| 2|| 0|| —|| 0|| 8
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center; font-weight:normal"| [[2011 North Queensland Cowboys season|2011]]
|style="text-align:center;"|{{leagueicon|North Queensland|16}} [[North Queensland Cowboys|North Queensland]]
| 25|| 8|| 12/19|| 55.56%|| 0|| 56
|- style="background-color: #EAEAEA"
! scope="row" style="text-align:center; font-weight:normal"| [[2012 North Queensland Cowboys season|2012]]
|style="text-align:center;"|{{leagueicon|North Queensland|16}} [[North Queensland Cowboys|North Queensland]]
| 26|| 13|| 12/14|| 85.71%|| 2|| 78
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center; font-weight:normal"| [[2013 North Queensland Cowboys season|2013]]
|style="text-align:center;"|{{leagueicon|North Queensland|16}} [[North Queensland Cowboys|North Queensland]]
| 19|| 6|| 1/2|| 50.00%|| 0|| 26

|- class="sortbottom"
! colspan=2| Career totals
! 270
! 130
! 36/54
! 66.67%
! 5
! 597
|}
|}


===Representative Football===
===Super League===
: ''Statistics are correct to the end of the 2015 season''<ref name="rugbyleagueproject.org"/>
'''Queensland'''<br>
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size:90%; text-align:center; width:85%;"
2003 - Present
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|-
!width=2%|Season
! Matches !! Tries !! Goals !! Field Goals !! Points
!width=8%|Team
|-
!width=2%|Matches
| 10|| 0 || 0 || 0 || 0
!width=2%|T
!width=2%|G
!width=2%|GK %
!width=2%|F/G
!width=2%|Pts
|-
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center; font-weight:normal"| 2014
|style="text-align:center;"|{{leagueicon|Wigan|16}} [[Wigan Warriors|Wigan]]
| 24|| 15|| 0|| —|| 0|| 60
|- style="background-color: #EAEAEA"
! scope="row" style="text-align:center; font-weight:normal"| [[2015 Wigan Warriors season|2015]]
|style="text-align:center;"|{{leagueicon|Wigan|16}} [[Wigan Warriors|Wigan]]
| 21|| 9|| 31|| —|| 0|| 98

|- class="sortbottom"
! colspan=2| Career totals
! 45
! 24
! 31
! —
! 0
! 158
|}
|}


===State of Origin===
'''Australia'''<br>
2004 - Present
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|-
| style="background:#f9f025; width:3em;"|†
! Matches !! Tries !! Goals !! Field Goals !! Points
|Denotes seasons in which Bowen won a [[State of Origin series|State of Origin Series]]
|}

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size:90%; text-align:center; width:85%;"
|-
|-
!width=2%|Season
| 1 || 0 || 0 || 0 || 0
!width=8%|Team
!width=2%|Matches
!width=2%|T
!width=2%|G
!width=2%|GK %
!width=2%|F/G
!width=2%|Pts
|-
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center; font-weight:normal"| [[2003 State of Origin series|2003]]
|style="text-align:center;"|{{leagueicon|Queensland|16}} [[Queensland rugby league team|Queensland]]
| 2|| 0|| 0|| —|| 0|| 0
|- style="background-color: #EAEAEA"
! scope="row" style="text-align:center; font-weight:normal"| [[2004 State of Origin series|2004]]
|style="text-align:center;"|{{leagueicon|Queensland|16}} [[Queensland rugby league team|Queensland]]
| 3|| 1|| 0|| —|| 0|| 4
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center; font-weight:normal"| [[2005 State of Origin series|2005]]
|style="text-align:center;"|{{leagueicon|Queensland|16}} [[Queensland rugby league team|Queensland]]
| 3|| 3|| 0|| —|| 0|| 12
|- style="background-color: #EAEAEA"
! scope="row" style="text-align:center;background:#f9f025; font-weight:normal"| [[2006 State of Origin series|2006]]†
|style="text-align:center;"|{{leagueicon|Queensland|16}} [[Queensland rugby league team|Queensland]]
| 1|| 0|| 0|| —|| 0|| 0
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center;background:#f9f025; font-weight:normal"| [[2007 State of Origin series|2007]]†
|style="text-align:center;"|{{leagueicon|Queensland|16}} [[Queensland rugby league team|Queensland]]
| 1|| 0|| 0|| —|| 0|| 0

|- class="sortbottom"
! colspan=2| Career totals
! 10
! 4
! 0
! —
! 0
! 16
|}
|}


==Achievements==
===Australia===
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size:90%; text-align:center; width:85%;"
===Individual===
|-
[[National Rugby League season 2007|2007]]: Leading tryscorer (21) (tied with [[Israel Falou]])<br>
!width=2%|Season
[[National Rugby League season 2007|2007]]: [[Dally M]] Fullback of the Year
!width=8%|Team
!width=2%|Matches
!width=2%|T
!width=2%|G
!width=2%|GK %
!width=2%|F/G
!width=2%|Pts
|-
! scope="row" style="text-align:center; font-weight:normal"| 2004
|style="text-align:center;"|{{flagicon|Australia|16}} [[Australia national rugby league team|Australia]]
| 1|| 0|| 0|| —|| 0|| 0


|- class="sortbottom"
===Team===
! colspan=2| Career totals
[[National Rugby League season 2005|2005]]: [[NRL|NRL Grand Final]] - [[North Queensland Cowboys]] - Runners-up
! 1
! 0
! 0
! —
! 0
! 0
|}


==Trivia==
==Post-playing==
Following his retirement, Bowen returned to Australia to take up a role as a Community Engagement Officer for his former club, the [[North Queensland Cowboys]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cowboys.com.au/news/2016/01/21/bowen_in_nrl_communi.html|title=Bowen in NRL community role|website=Cowboys.com.au|date=20 January 2016 |access-date=9 October 2017}}</ref> On 21 January, Bowen was selected as one of the [[National Rugby League|NRL]]'s Community Ambassadors for 2016.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nrl.com/nrl-announces-2016-ambassadors/tabid/10874/newsid/91401/default.aspx|title=NRL announces 2016 Ambassadors|website=Nrl.com|date=20 January 2016 |access-date=9 October 2017}}</ref> On 29 January, the Cowboys announced that Bowen would coming out of retirement to make a one-off return for the club at the [[2016 NRL Auckland Nines]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cowboys.com.au/news/2016/01/29/first_cowboy_for_nin.html|title=First Cowboy for Nines revealed...|website=Cowboys.com.au|date=29 January 2016 |access-date=9 October 2017}}</ref>
*He is a cousin of [[Brenton Bowen]]

==Personal life==
Bowen was born in Cairns to Richard and Lillian Bowen and has four brothers (Wendell, Esmond, Dwayne and Stanton) and a sister (Dellece).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/09/16/1095320902135.html|title=From cattle property to hot property - League|website=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=17 September 2004 |access-date=9 October 2017}}</ref> Bowen's cousin, [[Brenton Bowen]], played with him at the Cowboys from 2003 to 2007, before he joined the [[Gold Coast Titans]] in 2008.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.goldcoast.com.au/article/2007/11/02/4427_gold-coast-news.html|title=New Titan recruit Bowen out of Matt's shadow|date=2 November 2007|work=goldcoast.com.au|access-date=9 October 2011}}</ref> Bowen's nephew, [[Javid Bowen]], is currently a member of the Cowboys' NRL squad.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cowboys.com.au/team/profiles/javid-bowen.html|title=Javid Bowen|website=Cowboys.com.au|access-date=9 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171010010648/http://www.cowboys.com.au/team/profiles/javid-bowen.html|archive-date=10 October 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> Another of Bowen's nephews, [[Rex Liddy]], played for [[Australian Football League]] club, the [[Gold Coast Suns]] in 2011.<ref>{{cite web|last=Piva |first=Andrew |title=Here comes the Suns |url=http://www.aflcapeyork.com.au/no%20boundarys.htm |work=No Boundaries |publisher=AFL Cape York |access-date=30 April 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120320132830/http://www.aflcapeyork.com.au/no%20boundarys.htm |archive-date=20 March 2012 }}</ref>

Bowen is married to Rudie Doyle, sister of former teammate [[John Doyle (rugby league)|John Doyle]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.townsvillebulletin.com.au/news/mango-thrives-in-england/story-fnjfzs4b-1226912583056|title=Mango thrives in England|website=Townsvillebulletin.com.au|access-date=9 October 2017}}</ref> The couple have two daughters, Diaz and Tatum, who was born the night before Bowen played in the [[2015 Super League Grand Final]], and one son, Matthew Jr.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sportinglife.com/rugby-league/news/article/480/10024987/grand-final-leeds-22-20-wigan-no-regrets-for-matty-bowen|title=News - Sporting Life|website=Sportinglife.com|access-date=9 October 2017}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}


==External links==
==External links==
*[https://www.nrlcommunity.com.au/team/profiles/matt_bowen.html NRL Community profile]
*[http://www.cowboys.com.au/players.php?comp=NRL2007&id=4 Bowen @ Cowboys.com.au]
{{North Queensland Cowboys}}
*{{StateofOrigin player|284}}
{{North Queensland Team of the Century}}
{{National Rugby League top try scorers}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Bowen, Matt}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Bowen, Matt}}
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:1982 births]]
[[Category:1982 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Australia national rugby league team players]]
[[Category:Australian rugby league players]]
[[Category:Australian rugby league players]]
[[Category:North Queensland Cowboys rugby league players]]
[[Category:Indigenous All Stars players]]
[[Category:Indigenous Australian rugby league footballers]]
[[Category:Indigenous Australian rugby league players]]
[[Category:Junior Kangaroos players]]
[[Category:North Queensland Cowboys players]]
[[Category:People from Far North Queensland]]
[[Category:Prime Minister's XIII players]]
[[Category:Queensland Rugby League State of Origin players]]
[[Category:Queensland Rugby League State of Origin players]]
[[Category:Rugby league fullbacks]]
[[Category:Rugby league players from Cairns]]
[[Category:21st-century Australian sportsmen]]

Latest revision as of 22:12, 29 December 2024

For other people named Matt Bowen, see Matt Bowen (disambiguation).

Matt Bowen
Personal information
Full nameMatthew Jeremy Bowen
Born (1982-03-09) 9 March 1982 (age 42)[1]
Cairns, Queensland, Australia
Playing information
Height172 cm (5 ft 8 in)[1]
Weight85 kg (13 st 5 lb)[1]
PositionFullback
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2001–13 North Qld Cowboys 270 130 36 5 597
2014–15 Wigan Warriors 45 24 31 0 158
Total 315 154 67 5 755
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
2003–07 Queensland 10 4 0 0 16
2004 Australia 1 0 0 0 0
2011–12 Indigenous All Stars 2 1 0 0 4
2010–11 Prime Minister's XIII 2 0 0 0 0
Source: [2][3][4][5]
RelativesBrenton Bowen (cousin)
Javid Bowen (nephew)

Matthew Jeremy Bowen (born 9 March 1982) is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer who played in the 2000s and 2010s. An Australia international and Queensland State of Origin representative fullback, he played in the National Rugby League (NRL) for Australian club, the North Queensland Cowboys, with whom he set the club's record for most matches, and in the Super League for English club, the Wigan Warriors. Bowen was the NRL's top try-scorer in the 2005 and 2007 seasons. Former Queensland and Australian captain Darren Lockyer has called Bowen a "little freak", citing his skills and dynamism.[6] Two-time premiership winning coach Phil Gould remarked in 2005 that he was a "modern-day icon of the game", saying that "Bowen has unique football instincts. He performs the difficult with ease and some of his feats have redefined what we once believed to be impossible."[7]

Background

[edit]

Born in Cairns, Queensland, Bowen grew up in the Cape York Aboriginal community of Hopevale.[8] He attended St. Teresa's College, Abergowrie near Ingham where he started playing rugby league at the age of 12.[9] His school team won the Queensland schoolboys' competition in 1999 and he was named player of the tournament.[10][11] His schoolboy exploits attracted the attention of a number of NRL clubs in Sydney and Brisbane (including the Broncos, Dragons and Sharks); however, he chose to pursue his professional career with his local team, the North Queensland Cowboys.[11] In 2000, he was part of the Cowboys' reserve grade team that made the grand final of the reserve grade competition and was selected for the Queensland under-19 team.[12]

Playing career

[edit]

2001

[edit]

Bowen made his NRL debut in Round 1 of the 2001 NRL season against Queensland rivals, the Brisbane Broncos, coming off the bench in his side's 17–18 loss at Dairy Farmers Stadium.[13] He scored his first NRL try in Round 9 against the Canberra Raiders, coming off the bench again in a 26–34 loss.[14]

In his rookie season, Bowen played 15 games, scoring six tries and kicking one goal. After spending time on the bench and at five-eighth, Bowen played his primary position of fullback for the final seven games of the season. At the end of the season Bowen was selected at halfback for the Junior Kangaroos, alongside future Cowboys teammates Dallas Johnson, Micheal Luck and Brent Tate.[15][16]

2002

[edit]

Despite finishing 2001 as the club's starting fullback, Bowen vacated the role at the start of the 2002 NRL season for the returning Tim Brasher, who was the Cowboys' captain at the time. Bowen played on the wing in Round 1, in a game where Brasher would once again succumb to injury, vacating the fullback spot. In Round 2, Bowen played five-eighth in the Cowboys' loss to the Broncos before taking over the fullback position permanently a week later. Bowen enjoyed a breakout season in 2002, scoring 12 tries in 24 games, including a run of five games in which he scored a try.[17]

2003

[edit]

In 2003, Bowen made his representative debut, being called up to the Queensland team for Game II of the State of Origin series.[18] He played 16 minutes as a substitute, as Queensland lost the series.[19] He was selected again for Game III of the series, coming off the bench in Queensland's 36–6 win.[20]

Bowen played 20 NRL games in 2003, scoring nine tries, including his first NRL hat-trick in the Cowboys' 60–8 win over the South Sydney Rabbitohs in Round 24.[21]

2004

[edit]

The Cowboys made the finals series for the first time in 2004, with Bowen playing a key role in the side which finished one match short of their first Grand Final. In 23 games, he scored 11 tries, including one in the Cowboys first ever finals game, a 30–22 victory over the Canterbury Bulldogs.[22][23] Bowen once again represented Queensland in 2004, playing in all three games and scoring his first Origin try in the Maroons' Game III loss.[24]

At the end of the season Bowen was selected in the Australian Kangaroos squad for the Tri-Nations series.[25] He played at fullback in a tour match against Cumbria, scoring a try, although he did not play in the Tri-Nations series, with Anthony Minichiello preferred as the Kangaroos' fullback.[26] However, after the Tri-Nations series, he made his Test debut in a one-off match against France in Carcassonne, that Australia won 52–30.[27][28][29] On the touring squad's return journey to Australia, he scored three tries in a non-Test exhibition match against the United States in Philadelphia.[30]

2005

[edit]

In 2005, halfback Johnathan Thurston joined the Cowboys, in what would prove to have a major effect on not just the club but on Bowen's career. Over the next nine seasons, Bowen and Thurston would form one of the competition's most dangerous combinations.[31] On the back of Thurston and Bowen, the Cowboys made it to the 2005 NRL Grand Final, the club's first. Despite Bowen scoring the opening try, they lost to the Wests Tigers, 30–16. Bowen's 21 tries in 2005 made him the competition's top try scorer.[32]

Bowen was again selected for Queensland in the 2005 State of Origin series. In Game I of the series, he proved to be the game-breaker. After coming off the bench in the second half, he intercepted a pass from New South Wales half-back Brett Kimmorley and ran 40m to score in golden point extra time, thus winning the game for Queensland.[33] Bowen would also score tries in the second and third games of the series, although Queensland lost both matches to lose the series. He was selected in Queensland's starting line-up in the third match for the first time in his career, displacing Billy Slater.[34]

2006

[edit]

In 2006, Bowen and the Cowboys failed to capitalise on their progress from the previous season, finishing ninth on the ladder and missing the finals series. Bowen played Game I of the 2006 State of Origin series but was dropped from Queensland's side for Game II.[35] He scored just five tries in 24 matches for the Cowboys, one of the lowest season tallies of his career.[36]

2007

[edit]

In 2007, Bowen enjoyed his most successful individual season. He regained his top try scorer's title, with 22 tries, and also made the most line breaks (32) and tackle breaks (220) in the NRL.[37] He returned to the Queensland squad for Game III of the State of Origin series, and the Cowboys returned to the NRL finals, finishing third on the ladder. He was voted by his peers as the Rugby League Player Association's Player of the Year, was named the Cowboys' Player of the Year for the first and only time in his career, was named Rugby League Week Player of the Year and was named Fullback of the Year at the 2007 Dally M Awards.[38][39] He also signed a new contract to remain at the Cowboys through the 2011 season, with his coach Graham Murray claiming he was the "best fullback in the game".[40]

Despite the accolades for his performances during the year, Bowen was controversially omitted from the Kangaroos side to face New Zealand at the end of the season, as Brett Stewart and Kurt Gidley were preferred at fullback.[41] Kangaroos' coach Ricky Stuart argued that Bowen's small stature was a factor against his selection.[42] Former dual-code international Wendell Sailor argued that selectors were correct to leave Bowen out of the national team, suggesting that his form in club football had not been replicated at State of Origin level.[43]

Bowen in 2008

2008

[edit]

Bowen started the 2008 NRL season slowly, missing Rounds 4 and 5 due to a left knee injury. He returned in Round 6 against the Warriors and scored three tries.[44] However, three weeks later, Bowen injured his knee again and underwent surgery that ruled him out of action for the rest of the season.[45] Without him, North Queensland finished 15th on the NRL ladder.

2009

[edit]

Bowen returned from his knee injury in the 2009 pre-season.[46] He scored 12 tries in 20 games before he injured his right knee in August in the same way that he had injured his left knee the previous season. Another round of surgery followed, ruling him out for the remainder of the season and the beginning of the next.[47][48]

2010

[edit]

The Cowboys endured a disastrous 2010 NRL season, finishing 15th on the ladder. Bowen missed half the season due to the knee reconstruction he had in 2009, making his NRL return in the Cowboys' Round 9 win over the Sydney Roosters.[49] Four months later, Bowen played his 200th match for the Cowboys, in their Round 26 loss to the Roosters.[50] Bowen ended the 2010 season with a career low of two tries.[51] Despite the poor season, Bowen was selected in the Prime Minister's XIII side that faced Papua New Guinea in Port Moresby.

2011

[edit]

The 2011 NRL season saw Bowen return to his best form, scoring 8 tries in 25 games. He reached another milestone early in the season, surpassing former teammate Paul Bowman's record for the most NRL games by a Cowboys player.[52] The Cowboys had an improved season, finishing seventh on the ladder and returning to the finals series. At the end of the season, Bowen was once again selected for the Prime Minister's XIII side.[53] During the season, Bowen signed a new contract with the Cowboys through 2013, citing his "love" for the club and a desire to continue to be close to his extended family. He had considered competing offers to play in England.[54] After the season, he was shortlisted for the Rugby League International Federation's Fullback of the Year award.[55]

2012

[edit]

During the 2012 NRL season Bowen surpassed the 250 game mark in the Cowboys first home elimination final since 2007, in which they defeated the Broncos 33–16. He recorded 28 try assists in 2012, more than the team's halfback Johnathan Thurston (25), and was 18th man for Queensland in Game III of the 2012 State of Origin series. At the end of the season, Bowen came second in the Dally M Medal tally with 26 points and was a finalist for Dally M Fullback of the Year. He finished 2012 with 13 tries, his most in a season since 2007.

2013

[edit]

The 2013 NRL season would be Bowen's last with the Cowboys. On 30 August Bowen announced he would be leaving the club at the end of the season.[56] In his final NRL season, Bowen played 19 games and scored six tries. In Round 26, Bowen played his final home game at 1300SMILES Stadium. He was chaired from the field by his teammates after his team's 50–22 victory over the Wests Tigers, in which Bowen scored two tries.[57][58] He played his final NRL game a week later in the Cowboys' elimination final loss to the Cronulla Sharks at Allianz Stadium.[59]

Bowen later said, "I was told I wasn't needed at the club at the time. You get called into the office and they say they haven't got room for you next year … I didn't know what to say …Two years later they won the comp and I would have been a part of it. It was a kick in the guts. Obviously I did so much for this club and my missus is still bitter about it today."[60]

On 24 September, the Wigan Warriors announced the signing of Bowen for the 2014 season as a replacement for departing fullback Sam Tomkins.[61]

Bowen playing for Wigan Warriors in 2014

2014

[edit]

Bowen's first match for Wigan was at home against Huddersfield in Round 1 of the 2014 Super League season, which Wigan lost 8-24.[62] Two weeks later, Bowen returned to Australia and played in Wigan's 14-36 World Club Challenge loss to the Sydney Roosters. Despite a questionable start to his Wigan career, Bowen ended his first season in England with 15 tries from 24 games, including a hat-trick against the Hunslet Hawks in the Challenge Cup.[63][64]

On 16 July, Bowen re-signed with Wigan until the end of 2015.[65] Wigan reached the 2014 Super League Grand Final and Bowen played at fullback in their loss to St Helens at Old Trafford.[66][67][68]

2015

[edit]

Bowen began the 2015 Super League season as Wigan's first choice fullback. Two weeks later, Bowen faced his former club's old rivals the Brisbane Broncos for the final time, in Wigan's 12-14 World Club Series loss.

On 7 July, Wigan announced that Bowen would not be offered and new contract.[69] Bowen took over Wigan's goalkicking duties towards the end of the season, kicking 31 goals and scoring 9 tries in his final season.[70]

Bowen's final match was the 2015 Super League Grand Final, in which he scored a try and kicked four goals in Wigan's 20–22 loss to the Leeds Rhinos at Old Trafford, meaning that he ended his career with a third Grand Final defeat.[71]

2016

[edit]

Bowen participated in the 2016 NRL Auckland Nines Tournament, returning for the North Queensland Cowboys as a final farewell to the club and his playing career.

Bowen would later go on to sign with the Townsville Blackhawks in Round 11 of the Intrust Super Cup, debuting for the club in Round 12. He would receive man of the match honours in the Blackhawks 32–12 victory over the Norths Devils in Round 13, scoring a try and setting up another two.

Achievements and accolades

[edit]

Individual

[edit]

Dally M Fullback of the Year: 2007
Rugby League Week Player of the Year: 2007
North Queensland Cowboys Player of the Year: 2007
North Queensland Cowboys Players' player of the Year: 2007
RLPA Player of the Year 2007
North Queensland Cowboys Life Member
North Queensland Cowboys 10th Anniversary team
North Queensland Cowboys 20th Anniversary team

Team

[edit]

2005 NRL Grand Final: North Queensland Cowboys – Runners-up
2014 Super League Grand Final: Wigan Warriors - Runners-up
2015 Super League Grand Final: Wigan Warriors - Runners-up

Statistics

[edit]

NRL

[edit]
Statistics are correct to the end of the 2013 season[3]
Season Team Matches T G GK % F/G Pts
2001 North Queensland 15 6 1/2 50.00% 0 26
2002 North Queensland 24 12 5/9 55.56% 0 58
2003 North Queensland 20 9 5/8 55.56% 0 46
2004 North Queensland 23 11 0 — 0 44
2005 North Queensland 25 21 0 — 0 84
2006 North Queensland 24 5 0 — 0 20
2007 North Queensland 27 22 0 — 3 91
2008 North Queensland 6 3 0 — 0 12
2009 North Queensland 20 12 0 — 0 48
2010 North Queensland 16 2 0 — 0 8
2011 North Queensland 25 8 12/19 55.56% 0 56
2012 North Queensland 26 13 12/14 85.71% 2 78
2013 North Queensland 19 6 1/2 50.00% 0 26
Career totals 270 130 36/54 66.67% 5 597

Super League

[edit]
Statistics are correct to the end of the 2015 season[3]
Season Team Matches T G GK % F/G Pts
2014 Wigan 24 15 0 — 0 60
2015 Wigan 21 9 31 — 0 98
Career totals 45 24 31 — 0 158

State of Origin

[edit]
† Denotes seasons in which Bowen won a State of Origin Series
Season Team Matches T G GK % F/G Pts
2003 Queensland 2 0 0 — 0 0
2004 Queensland 3 1 0 — 0 4
2005 Queensland 3 3 0 — 0 12
2006† Queensland 1 0 0 — 0 0
2007† Queensland 1 0 0 — 0 0
Career totals 10 4 0 — 0 16

Australia

[edit]
Season Team Matches T G GK % F/G Pts
2004 Australia Australia 1 0 0 — 0 0
Career totals 1 0 0 — 0 0

Post-playing

[edit]

Following his retirement, Bowen returned to Australia to take up a role as a Community Engagement Officer for his former club, the North Queensland Cowboys.[72] On 21 January, Bowen was selected as one of the NRL's Community Ambassadors for 2016.[73] On 29 January, the Cowboys announced that Bowen would coming out of retirement to make a one-off return for the club at the 2016 NRL Auckland Nines.[74]

Personal life

[edit]

Bowen was born in Cairns to Richard and Lillian Bowen and has four brothers (Wendell, Esmond, Dwayne and Stanton) and a sister (Dellece).[75] Bowen's cousin, Brenton Bowen, played with him at the Cowboys from 2003 to 2007, before he joined the Gold Coast Titans in 2008.[76] Bowen's nephew, Javid Bowen, is currently a member of the Cowboys' NRL squad.[77] Another of Bowen's nephews, Rex Liddy, played for Australian Football League club, the Gold Coast Suns in 2011.[78]

Bowen is married to Rudie Doyle, sister of former teammate John Doyle.[79] The couple have two daughters, Diaz and Tatum, who was born the night before Bowen played in the 2015 Super League Grand Final, and one son, Matthew Jr.[80]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c "Matthew Bowen Wigan Warriors". www.superleague.co.uk. Rugby Football League. 2015. Retrieved 1 August 2015.
  2. ^ "Herald Sun". Heraldsun.com.au. Retrieved 9 October 2017.
  3. ^ a b c Ferguson, Shawn Dollin and Andrew. "Matthew Bowen - Career Stats & Summary - Rugby League Project". Rugbyleagueproject.org. Retrieved 9 October 2017.
  4. ^ "Nth Qld Cowboys". Cowboys.com.au. Archived from the original on 20 March 2012. Retrieved 9 October 2017.
  5. ^ "Player Summary: Matt Bowen". Rugby League Records. Rugby League Record Keepers Club. Retrieved 4 November 2024.
  6. ^ Lockyer, Darren (3 July 2010). "The players that helped Queensland win five State of Origin series in a row". The Courier-Mail. Retrieved 9 October 2011.
  7. ^ Gould, Phil (2 October 2005). "Talking about Y generation: the two kids are all right". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 8 October 2011.
  8. ^ Marshall, Matt (20 September 2007). "Bowen hopes to stay a Cowboy". The Courier-Mail. Retrieved 7 October 2011.
  9. ^ Read, Brent (2 April 2011). "Cowboys star puts hope back in Hopevale". The Australian. Retrieved 8 October 2011.
  10. ^ "Our Catholic Schools: Indigenous Education" (PDF). Diocese of Townsville. 2010. Archived from the original (PDF) on 29 March 2012. Retrieved 8 October 2011.
  11. ^ a b Walter, Brad (17 September 2004). "From cattle property to hot property". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 8 October 2011.
  12. ^ "Honour for league greats". Townsville Bulletin. 24 May 2008. Retrieved 8 October 2011.
  13. ^ "Player profile: Matt Bowen". North Queensland Cowboys. Archived from the original on 20 March 2012. Retrieved 8 October 2011.
  14. ^ Ferguson, Shawn Dollin and Andrew. "NRL 2001 - Round 9 - Rugby League Project". Rugbyleagueproject.org. Retrieved 9 October 2017.
  15. ^ Ferguson, Shawn Dollin and Andrew. "Custom Match List - Rugby League Project". Rugbyleagueproject.org. Retrieved 9 October 2017.
  16. ^ "myRugbyLeague". SportsTG. Retrieved 9 October 2017.
  17. ^ Ferguson, Shawn Dollin and Andrew. "Custom Match List - Rugby League Project". Rugbyleagueproject.org. Retrieved 9 October 2017.
  18. ^ "Queensland Springs 2 Surprises". League Unlimited. 16 June 2003. Archived from the original on 5 April 2012. Retrieved 8 October 2011.
  19. ^ "Wesser in line for Maroons call-up". The Age. Melbourne. 6 July 2003. Retrieved 8 October 2011.
  20. ^ Ferguson, Shawn Dollin and Andrew. "State Of Origin 2003 Series - Game 3 - Rugby League Project". Rugbyleagueproject.org. Retrieved 9 October 2017.
  21. ^ Ferguson, Shawn Dollin and Andrew. "NRL 2003 - Round 24 - Rugby League Project". Rugbyleagueproject.org. Retrieved 9 October 2017.
  22. ^ Ferguson, Shawn Dollin and Andrew. "NRL 2004 - Qualif Final - Rugby League Project". Rugbyleagueproject.org. Retrieved 9 October 2017.
  23. ^ Ferguson, Shawn Dollin and Andrew. "Custom Match List - Rugby League Project". Rugbyleagueproject.org. Retrieved 9 October 2017.
  24. ^ Ferguson, Shawn Dollin and Andrew. "State Of Origin 2004 Series - Game 3 - Rugby League Project". Rugbyleagueproject.org. Retrieved 9 October 2017.
  25. ^ Williams, Steven (4 October 2004). "Timmins omitted from Kangaroo squad". League Unlimited. Archived from the original on 5 April 2012. Retrieved 8 October 2011.
  26. ^ Lowe, Robert (28 October 2004). "League: Anzacs pack too much power and pace". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 8 October 2011.
  27. ^ "Australia lucky to beat France". The Age. Melbourne. 22 November 2004. Retrieved 8 October 2011.
  28. ^ Mascord, Steve (20 November 2004). "Lockyer undaunted as fired-up French take aim at his injury". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 8 October 2011.
  29. ^ Mascord, Steve (19 November 2004). "Bennett on the offensive over citing". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 8 October 2011.
  30. ^ "Kangaroos survive surprise Tomahawk attack". The Sydney Morning Herald. 1 December 2004. Retrieved 8 October 2011.
  31. ^ "Combinations: Five of the Best - Rugby League Opinions". rugbyleagueopinions.com. Archived from the original on 3 February 2016. Retrieved 13 January 2022.
  32. ^ "2005 Point Scorers". rleague.com. Archived from the original on 4 July 2010. Retrieved 8 October 2011.
  33. ^ Mascord, Steve (26 May 2005). "Bowen breaks Blues' hearts". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 8 October 2011.
  34. ^ Salvado, John (28 June 2005). "Slater dropped for the decider". The Age. Melbourne. Retrieved 8 October 2011.
  35. ^ "Bowen called up to Maroons squad". ABC News (Australia). 13 June 2006. Retrieved 8 October 2011.
  36. ^ "2006 Point Scorers". rleague.com. Archived from the original on 3 September 2011. Retrieved 8 October 2011.
  37. ^ "Top 10 rugby league stars". The Courier-Mail. 2007. Retrieved 8 October 2011.
  38. ^ "Bowen voted players' player". ABC News (Australia). 15 December 2007. Retrieved 9 October 2011.
  39. ^ "Honours". North Queensland Cowboys. Archived from the original on 12 October 2011. Retrieved 8 October 2011.
  40. ^ "NRL Cowboys retain Bowen". The Daily Telegraph (Sydney). 23 November 2007. Retrieved 8 October 2011.
  41. ^ "Cowboys' chief says Bowen must accept Kangaroos selection snub". ABC News (Australia). 2 October 2007. Retrieved 8 October 2011.
  42. ^ "Bowen too small, says Stuart". The Daily Telegraph (Sydney). 3 October 2007. Retrieved 8 October 2011.
  43. ^ "Bowen's omission shocks". Stuff.co.nz. 3 October 2007. Retrieved 8 October 2011.
  44. ^ "Matt Bowen returns with hat-trick for Cowboys". The Australian. 20 April 2008. Retrieved 9 October 2011.
  45. ^ Zane, Bojack (19 June 2008). "Bowen going home to rest". ABC Local.
  46. ^ Marshall, Matt (28 February 2009). "Matt Bowen comes back after agonising wait". The Sunday Mail (Brisbane). Retrieved 28 February 2013.
  47. ^ Alston, Josh (24 August 2009). "North Queensland Cowboys star Matt Bowen ruled out for 10 months". Townsville Bulletin. Archived from the original on 30 July 2012. Retrieved 9 October 2011.
  48. ^ Honeysett, Stuart (11 May 2010). "Matt Bowen spurs North Queensland Cowboys against he was quickly becoming the game's premier fullback.Roosters". The Australian. Retrieved 9 October 2011.
  49. ^ Ferguson, Shawn Dollin and Andrew. "NRL 2010 - Round 9 - Rugby League Project". Rugbyleagueproject.org. Retrieved 9 October 2017.
  50. ^ Ricketts, Steve (5 September 2010). "Sydney Roosters beat North Queensland Cowboys 18-8". Herald Sun. Retrieved 9 October 2011.
  51. ^ Ferguson, Shawn Dollin and Andrew. "Custom Match List - Rugby League Project". Rugbyleagueproject.org. Retrieved 9 October 2017.
  52. ^ "Cowboys fullback Bowen re-signs until 2013". Stuff.co.nz. 3 August 2011. Retrieved 9 October 2011.
  53. ^ "Hindmarsh to captain PM's XIII against PNG". The Sydney Morning Herald. 14 September 2011. Retrieved 9 October 2011.
  54. ^ Bojack, Zane (3 August 2011). "Bowen stays loyal to Cowboys". ABC News (Australia). Retrieved 9 October 2011.
  55. ^ "Marshall vying for second Golden Boot". TVNZ. 2 November 2011. Retrieved 2 November 2011.
  56. ^ "Bowen to farewell the NRL - Zero Tackle". Zerotackle.com. 30 August 2013. Retrieved 9 October 2017.
  57. ^ Ferguson, Shawn Dollin and Andrew. "NRL 2013 - Round 26 - Rugby League Project". Rugbyleagueproject.org. Retrieved 9 October 2017.
  58. ^ Mitchell, Phil. "Live: Cowboys v Tigers". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 9 October 2017.
  59. ^ Ferguson, Shawn Dollin and Andrew. "NRL 2013 - Qualif Final - Rugby League Project". Rugbyleagueproject.org. Retrieved 9 October 2017.
  60. ^ "Cowboys icon Matt Bowen drops bombshell on club over 2013 'kick in the guts'". Wide World of Sports. 20 March 2024.
  61. ^ "Wigan sign Bowen as Tomkins replacement - Zero Tackle". Zerotackle.com. 24 September 2013. Retrieved 9 October 2017.
  62. ^ "Super League: Wigan Warriors 8-24 Huddersfield Giants". BBC. 7 February 2014. Retrieved 9 October 2017.
  63. ^ "'Fatty' Bowen jeered by Wigan fans". Couriermail.com.au. Retrieved 9 October 2017.
  64. ^ "Challenge Cup 2014 - Rugby League Project". Archived from the original on 23 June 2015. Retrieved 29 January 2016.
  65. ^ "BOWEN RE-SIGNS WITH WIGAN - Rugby League Week". Archived from the original on 3 February 2016. Retrieved 29 January 2016.
  66. ^ "St Helens 14 Wigan Warriors 6: Moment of madness from Wales international Ben Flower costs Wigan dear". The Daily Telegraph. 11 October 2014. Retrieved 15 October 2014.
  67. ^ "St Helens win Grand Final after Wigan's Ben Flower is sent off". The Guardian. 11 October 2014. Retrieved 15 October 2014.
  68. ^ "St Helens 14–6 Wigan Warriors". BBC Sport. 11 October 2014. Retrieved 15 October 2014.
  69. ^ "Matty Bowen set to leave Wigan Warriors at the end of the season". Skysports.com. Retrieved 9 October 2017.
  70. ^ Ferguson, Shawn Dollin and Andrew. "Custom Match List - Rugby League Project". Rugbyleagueproject.org. Retrieved 9 October 2017.
  71. ^ "Leeds pip Wigan to seal treble after brilliant, breathless Grand Final". The Guardian. 10 October 2015. Retrieved 8 November 2019.
  72. ^ "Bowen in NRL community role". Cowboys.com.au. 20 January 2016. Retrieved 9 October 2017.
  73. ^ "NRL announces 2016 Ambassadors". Nrl.com. 20 January 2016. Retrieved 9 October 2017.
  74. ^ "First Cowboy for Nines revealed..." Cowboys.com.au. 29 January 2016. Retrieved 9 October 2017.
  75. ^ "From cattle property to hot property - League". The Sydney Morning Herald. 17 September 2004. Retrieved 9 October 2017.
  76. ^ "New Titan recruit Bowen out of Matt's shadow". goldcoast.com.au. 2 November 2007. Retrieved 9 October 2011.
  77. ^ "Javid Bowen". Cowboys.com.au. Archived from the original on 10 October 2017. Retrieved 9 October 2017.
  78. ^ Piva, Andrew. "Here comes the Suns". No Boundaries. AFL Cape York. Archived from the original on 20 March 2012. Retrieved 30 April 2012.
  79. ^ "Mango thrives in England". Townsvillebulletin.com.au. Retrieved 9 October 2017.
  80. ^ "News - Sporting Life". Sportinglife.com. Retrieved 9 October 2017.
[edit]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Matt_Bowen&oldid=1266057333"