Former North Queensland skipper Tim Brasher wants his old job back when he returns to the national rugby league fold after a year on the sidelines nursing an injury. The 30-year-old is confident he will be fit to play in 2002 and is eyeing off the Cowboys' captain's job, handed to Paul Bowman when Brasher injured his knee late last year. Bowman is refusing to withdraw from the race, so both will have to wait until the Cowboys announce their 2002 skipper early next year. "It would be good," Brasher said. "But it's not the be-all and end-all. It's up to the coaches to decide who's going to get that job." The fullback is also chasing a spot in the NSW State of Origin side in what he admits will be the twilight of his football career. "I'm planning on two to three (more years of football). That will see me out. I'll definitely say goodnight then," he said. "If I'm playing football, I'm playing to the best that I can so I'll be hoping that I can squeeze my way back in (to the NSW side)." Brasher snapped a knee ligament in October 2000 after jumping off a ladder while cleaning a fan at home and was ruled out for 2001. He admitted his year on the outer was tough, especially since it was the result of a freak accident at home. "I don't ever want to watch for a year again. It's pretty hard when you want to get out there and be a part of it," he said. Brasher is back in training now and looking forward to a trial match against his former side South Sydney, to be held in Mackay in March. "It will be good fun playing against Souths again after being out for two years ... I'm sure they will come out firing," he said. Meanwhile, Bowman is confident an off-season shoulder reconstruction will not stop him playing in the Cowboys' first round match against Brisbane. He said he would not withdraw from the race for the skipper's job but would support whoever was chosen. "It wouldn't affect me too much either way," he said. Source: nzoom
