Do you miss Mango's magic in the NRL?

[Albert Rosenfeld]

Last night Little Mattie Bowen, the neckless wizard from far north Queensland, scored a brilliant individual try for the Wigan Warriors in the Super League Grand Final. It put his team in front for the second time, and might have created a momentum towards victory. That was not to be.

However the try brought back memories of Mango in the NRL, running off Johnathan Thurston passes in an era before we had Johnathan Thurston Week (see separate thread on Johnathan Thurston Week). At Wigan Mango had no Johnathan Thurston. Only an emerging star five eighth in George Williams, and a hopeless half back named Matty Smith.

Mango was a candidate for Man of the Match had his side won. Unfortunately his side lost, and Mango will never win a Grand Final in his illustrious career.

Oh how I miss Mango's magic in the NRL. Don't you?

 

[POPEYE]

When he could run faster than a quick second rower he was magic, since then he's been trying to pull a rabbit from a hat . . . imo Cuthbertson was man of the match because his offloads kept Wigan confused long enough to forget the plan

 

[Twatface Magee]

No
He'd get killed in NRL these days, he wouldn't be good enough anymore.

Look at Tomkins, gun fullback in Super League but redefined the word "plodder" when he came to the NRL.

 

[beave]

Mango is his prime was brilliant to watch. I was lucky enough to personally get to see his rise from schoolboy (i watched him play for Abergowie College, a small boarding school from Ingham), then local footy (souths in townsville, he made absolute fools of the local players at age 17), then young guns in the NSWRL (2000 when I moved back to Sydney) and then his first grade career. At all levels he made idiots of people with his step and explosive speed. I still think to this day Sheens should have persisted with him in the halves and made him get used to tackling and being in the frontline. He had most of the traits necessary to be a gun half except for the training attitude and the defence. I know he was a pretty poor trainer and relied heavily on natural ability, if he'd had someone like Paul Green coaching him early on I think he would have turned him into a really good half. Do miss the Mango, will be club legend forever and I hope he gets a final run for us in the Auckland 9's to end his career in his beloved NQ colours. Watching his tribute video on youtube yesterday gave me goosebumps at his pure speed and elusiveness.

In saying all that though, I wouldn't swap Lachlan Coote for any fullback in the comp. That little guy was outstanding this year for us. He is a purists fullback. His positioning and ability under the highball has been something we've never had before and he saved our asses on numerous occasions. The cowboys have moved on from the Mango era but we never forget what he did for our club and will always hold special place in Cowbs folklore.

 

[Card Shark]

No, Coote is better.

 

[McLovin]

Top of his highlight reel should be ending Kimmorleys career.

 

[Bernster]

Spot on Beave

 

[Desert Qlder]

Mango is his prime was brilliant to watch. I was lucky enough to personally get to see his rise from schoolboy (i watched him play for Abergowie College, a small bording school from Ingham), then local footy (souths in townsville, he made absolute fools of the local players at age 17), then young guns in the NSWRL (2000 when I moved back to Sydney) and then his first grade career. At all levels he made fools of people with his step and explosive speed. I still think to this day Sheens should have persisted with him in the halves and made him get used to tackling and being in the frontline. He had most of the traits necessary to be a gun half except for the training attitude and the defence. I know he was a pretty poor trainer and relied heavily on natural ability, if he'd had someone like Paul Green coaching him early on I think he would have turned him into a really good half. Do miss the Mango, will be club legend forever and I hope he gets a final run for us in the Auckland 9's to end his career in his beloved NQ colours. Watching his tribute video on youtube yesterday gave me goosebumps at his pure speed and elusiveness.

In saying all that though, I wouldn't swap Lachlan Coote for any fullback in the comp. That little guy was outstanding this year for us. He is a purists fullback. His positioning and ability under the highball has been something we've never had before and he saved our asses on numerous occasions. The cowboys have moved on from the Mango era but we never forget what he did for our club and will always hold special place in Cowbs folklore.

Very good assessment, it's always nice to watch juniors develop like that.

Unfortunately, the last one or two years of Bowen's time at the club allowed some to pour scorn on his legacy. It was as if all his years of wonderful contribution meant nothing. But even when he was suffering from the effects of multiple knee injuries, he could always pull out a special play to silence the critics.

I hope with a return to Townsville and the weight of not having won a premiership, the club can embrace Bowen and include him in testimonial fashion, such as at a new stadium for instance.

What is being planned regarding the 9s? Is there anything offical yet?

 

[Packy]

Yes... but he is 80. Far, bald and ready to retire.

 

[Ibleedblue]

One of my favourite players of all time, never been a Maroons or Cowboys fan but loved watching him play. Such an excitement machine in his prime.

 

[SLRBRONCOS]

The Suncorp noise when Bowen intercepted Kimmorley's pass. Wow. I would pay to have that moment again.

 

[some11]

the neckless wizard

Racist, reported.

 

[Albert Rosenfeld]

Mango is his prime was brilliant to watch. I was lucky enough to personally get to see his rise from schoolboy (i watched him play for Abergowie College, a small boarding school from Ingham), then local footy (souths in townsville, he made absolute fools of the local players at age 17), then young guns in the NSWRL (2000 when I moved back to Sydney) and then his first grade career. At all levels he made idiots of people with his step and explosive speed. I still think to this day Sheens should have persisted with him in the halves and made him get used to tackling and being in the frontline. He had most of the traits necessary to be a gun half except for the training attitude and the defence. I know he was a pretty poor trainer and relied heavily on natural ability, if he'd had someone like Paul Green coaching him early on I think he would have turned him into a really good half. Do miss the Mango, will be club legend forever and I hope he gets a final run for us in the Auckland 9's to end his career in his beloved NQ colours. Watching his tribute video on youtube yesterday gave me goosebumps at his pure speed and elusiveness.

In saying all that though, I wouldn't swap Lachlan Coote for any fullback in the comp. That little guy was outstanding this year for us. He is a purists fullback. His positioning and ability under the highball has been something we've never had before and he saved our asses on numerous occasions. The cowboys have moved on from the Mango era but we never forget what he did for our club and will always hold special place in Cowbs folklore.

Great post!

 

[butchmcdick]

The try he scored last night in the grand final was more of a reflection of the terrible defence in the super league rather than matty's dazzling footwork

 

[Albert Rosenfeld]

The try he scored last night in the grand final was more of a reflection of the terrible defence in the super league rather than matty's dazzling footwork

Prejudice against Super League ignores reality. The defences last night were good. Mango's footwork was brilliant.

 

[u4er]

I'm glad he doesn't have to play against the Cows in the WCC, that would be weird.

 

[butchmcdick]

Prejudice against Super League ignores reality. The defences last night were good. Mango's footwork was brilliant.

Post a gif of the try

 

[TheVelourFog]

absolute legend

loved it most when he stuck it up the Broncos

 

[butchmcdick]

[youtube]IEYbPTUu1VI[/youtube]

Tell me again about the great Leeds defence

 

[some11]

lol, five players arm grabbing and two even tripped over each other.