North Queensland Cowboys star Ethan Lowe out to atone for NRL betting suspension

NORTH Queensland Cowboys backrower Ethan Lowe will get his first shot at NRL redemption tonight following a betting suspension.

Round 9 of the NRL. Townsville Cowboys vs Brisbane Broncos at 1300 SMILES Stadium, Townsville, Queensland. Cowboy's Ethan Lowe and Bronco's Ban Barba

COWBOYS backrower Ethan Lowe will get his first shot at NRL redemption as he lines up to face the Penrith Panthers in the round 23 closer on Monday night.

It will be Lowe’s first minutes in his fledgling career since he was handed a two-match suspension by the NRL for betting on games of rugby league.

He denied he was behind the betting account – which was in his name – from which two bets on games were placed at the start of 2013, but the suspension stood.

The Cowboys’ winning form and his lack of game time over a few weeks – combined with his recovery from a broken hand – meant he had to play his way back into contention in the Queensland Cup in recent weeks.

Ethan Lowe returns on Monday for the Cowboys. Picture: Wesley Monts

But Tariq Sims’ one-match ban from the NRL judiciary and John Asiata’s game for the Mackay Cutters against the Northern Pride on Saturday mean Lowe is back in with a shot from the bench.

Whether he keeps his place is up to him, with Sims also flying out on Sunday to be ready to play the Rabbitohs on Saturday night, and Gavin Cooper set to make his first start since round 10.

“It will be good to have ‘Lowey’ back, he’s been in good form before he had a couple of weeks on the sideline,” Cowboys co-captain Matt Scott said.

“He’s another young guy who’s put his hand up for us this year.”

Also flying out for the Cowboys was prop James Tamou, who is yet to be guaranteed a run against the Panthers despite being “close’ for the past few weeks.

But Scott said even if his Test forward teammate was not ready to play, Sam Hoare and Ashton Sims had been doing a fine job in his place.

“Hopefully he’s (Tamou) not too far away,” Scott said.

“(Hoare) and Ashton Sims in particular have been guys that have stepped up there in the front row.

“Sam’s been doing a good job off the back of that.”

Utility Kyle Feldt played for the Pride on Saturday night against the Cutters but flew down with the squad to Sydney.

Originally published as North Queensland Cowboys star Ethan Lowe out to atone for NRL betting suspension