Bowen's Origin hope
North Queensland fullback Matt Bowen believes he will be fit in time for Origin III despite suffering an ankle injury during his side's loss to the Bulldogs on Sunday.
Bowen, who was 18th man for game two, is tipped to replace Karmichael Hunt at fullback with the Broncos star sidelined for two months with a broken foot.
Storm sensation Greg Inglis is another candidate for the No.1 jersey, but he is unlikely to recover in time from a fractured back.
Bowen will have scans on his ankle on Monday, but said it has been improving since he came off late in the game at Carrara Stadium.
"I can walk on it but it is hurting a little," Bowen told the Courier-Mail.
"I'll keep on treating it and see what the doctor thinks. I've had this type of injury before and it has tended to settle down pretty quickly.
"We'll just have to see how it is a bit later in the week."
Bowen was dropped from the starting the Maroons' starting line-up following a lacklustre performance in game one, but is confident of making a return to the run-on side.
"There were a few aspects of my game I needed to have a look at and I think I've done that," he said.
"It was great to see the boys win the way they did (in game two) but a big part of me definitely wanted to be out there with them.
"To be 18th man was a boost for my confidence. It means I'm still in the picture."