An inspired performance from Matt Bowen has led the Cowboys rugby league team to a drought-breaking 16-8 NRL win over Canberra at Dairy Farmers Stadium.
With the North Queenslanders missing skipper Johnathan Thurston - as well as Willie Tonga, Matt Scott and Luke O'Donnell - to State of Origin, former representative star Bowen was pitched into the halfback role.
The ploy was kept under wraps by coach Neil Henry until the team took the field, with Bowen named on the team sheet at fullback but playing in the halves for the entire game.
The plan worked, with the flyer having a hand in both first-half tries to 18-year-old Michael Morgan.
