Tate re-signs with NRL's Cowboys

May 22, 2013 - 4:38 AM At one stage, Queensland State of Origin flyer Brent Tate was adamant the 2013 NRL season would be his last.

But after the 31-year-old on Wednesday agreed to at least one more season with North Queensland, fellow veteran Matt Bowen might be the one on borrowed time at the Cowboys.

Tate admitted running out for a 14th season in 2014 was the last thing on his mind as he recovered from off-season shoulder surgery.

"I was pretty adamant this year would be my last but I did the pre-season and I felt pretty good," Tate said.

"I am still really enjoying it.

"That's the main thing for me personally. When that enjoyment stops, I know it will be time to hang up the boots.

"You are a long time retired and I am not quite ready to let go of that yet."

Tate - who has played 204 NRL games including 42 with North Queensland since 2010 - joined a long list of recent re-signings at the Cowboys.

Among them are co-captains Johnathan Thurston and Matthew Scott, Test prop James Tamou, centre Kane Linnett and halfback Michael Morgan - but no Bowen.

The Cowboys are in a holding pattern as they monitor the fullback on a modified training program before deciding whether to offer him a contract for a 14th season.

Cowboys coach Neil Henry said the club would decide what to do with Bowen sooner rather than later especially once official rival offers started arriving.

Bowen - the 2012 Dally M runner-up - has failed to bounce back to his best after pre-season shoulder surgery but his reconstructed knees are also causing concern.

But the Cowboys are clearly happy with Tate after he overcame a similar history of injuries.

Indeed Tate's career appeared over after he broke down in the 2010 Four Nations final and required a third knee reconstruction.

Now, Tate is looking forward to adding to his 23 Tests and 18 Origins - not that he has received any mail ahead of Monday night's Queensland team announcement.

"I haven't - just what you read in the papers," Tate said of his Origin prospects.

"I would dearly love to be there. That's something else I am not ready to let go of.

"If not, I look forward to helping the club.

"They were very supportive through my tough times early on and I'm keen to keep contributing for as long as I can.

"My family also really enjoys living in north Queensland so it's great we've been able to come to an agreement on at least one more year."

Source: AAP