North Queensland celebrates a day nobody thought would arrive
Even when they built it, Matt Bowen doubted it would happen.
About 28,000 fans will attend the first State of Origin to be played in a regional city at Townsvilleās new Queensland Country Bank Stadium on Wednesday, tickets selling within minutes after the late move away from Melbourneās MCG due to COVID-19.
One of 53 players from Queenslandās northern regions to grace the State of Origin stage, former Cowboys fullback Bowen is tipping Townsvilleās historic night to have a profound impact on the region.
āItās why they built the stadium ā¦ Elton John opened it (in February 2020) but an Origin in Townsville, I never thought it would happen,ā Bowen told AAP.
āI donāt think (outsiders) realise how much we love league here, but theyāll find out on Wednesday and I donāt think itāll be the last Origin game here either.ā
Cowboys winger and Townsville product Kyle Feldt will become the 218th man to wear Maroon and inspire the next generation of North Queensland talent to follow in the footsteps of Billy Slater, Nate Myles, Colin Scott, Sam Thaiday and Paul Bowman.
āI remember (North Queenslanders) Nathan Fein, Johnny Doyle and Johnny Buttergeig playing for the Maroons ā¦ I thought if they can do it, I can do it as well,ā Bowen said.
āMichael Morgan and Feldty both went to Iggy Park (Ignatius Park College); kids can see them coming from their own backyard and now playing here in Townsville for the Maroons.ā
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Bowen and other former Origin players from the north of the state will have a pre-game reunion on Wednesday before 29-year-old Feldt makes his debut, nine seasons after making his NRL debut.
āHeās learnt how to be consistent, we all know how talented he is, but just that consistency,ā Queensland mentor Paul Green, who coached Feldt at the Cowboys for six-and-a-half seasons, said.
A noted leaper with good finishing skills, Green admitted they would look to play to Feldtās strengths against rival winger Brian Toāo, who is about 20cm shorter.
āHeās good under the high ball; itās what he brings to the team and I want to play to peopleās strengths,ā Green said.
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