A fit-again Matt Bowen has inspired North Queensland to a shock 32-14 win over Sydney Roosters in Monday's NRL clash at Sydney Football Stadium.

The return of Willie Mason had dominated the build-up to the game, but it was the shock inclusion of Bowen for the first time since round 24 last year following career-saving knee surgery, that was the biggest talking point as the Cowboys ended a run of four successive defeats in style.

It took just 14 minutes for the diminutive former Queensland fullback to show what his side have been missing this season with an 80-metre sprint to the line after Roosters centre Shaun-Kenny-Dowall lost possession of the ball.

That try followed Michael Bani's opener after seven minutes to get the visitors off to the perfect start.

The Roosters were boosted by Braith Anasta passing a late fitness test on his injured ankle and coach Brian Smith also named bad boy hooker Jake Friend on the bench for the first time since his contract was torn up in December following a series of off-the-field incidents.

And it was Anasta who played the major role in his side's response when his booming kick was spilled by Bani, who struggled under the high ball all game, and Nick Kouparitsas scampered over the line to score.

Todd Carney's kick closed the gap to six points, and the young playmaker, who is looking for his first NSW State of Origin call-up, did his chances no harm with a breakaway try of his own in the 26th minute.

The return of Bowen gave the Cowboys greater cutting edge in attack, but he went from hero to villain when his risky pass to Ashley Graham was picked off by Carney who raced down the left touchline to score.

That try galvanised the hosts, but despite looking the more likely side to score, it was the Cowboys who went over again before the break in controversial circumstances.

John Williams scored the try after the video referee ruled Graham had not knocked the ball forward after Ben Jones hauled down Anthony Watts in front of the posts.

The Cowboys, who were also boosted by the return of hooker Aaron Payne after a five-week injury lay-off, were forced onto the back foot in opening exchanges of the second half, and failed to hold out a third successive set of six in front of their goal and Phil Graham scored.

However, the expected Roosters onslaught never materialised, and the Cowboys, with Bowen outstanding under several of Anasta's bombs, dominated the latter stages of the half with three unanswered tries.

Bani added his second in the 56th minute after a strong run from Willie Tonga, who went over himself nine minutes from time.

The impressive Watts added some late gloss to the score with a well-deserved try to ice the upset.

Cowboys coach Neil Henry said he was hopeful star halfback Johnathan Thurston would finally commit his future to the club this week by signing a new three-year deal.

"Nothing is confirmed yet but it could be, or will hopefully be, completed tomorrow," he said.

Henry also revealed that Bowen nearly didn't play, but his desire to get back out on the field convinced his coach to start him.

"He has assured me all week he would be right, but if he pulled up sore we were going to let it go, but he was keen to play and it was good for his confidence to skip away and score," Henry said.

"He is a brave little character, he took a couple of bombs but he is a great first receiver and he gives us another option."

And the former Canberra mentor said he was proud of the character his players showed as they ended a run of four straight losses.

"It was more relief that satisfaction ... we needed to hang in there for a bit, we had some solid performances, away from home and it was great for the morale of the group to get the win," he said.

Roosters coach Brian Smith was struggling to find positives in a poor night for his side, who missed a chance to move into the top four on the ladder.

"It was the slowest game of footy I have ever seen ... I am under no illusions about where we are as a team ... there are some top teams and we are not one of them," Smith said.

"We have the potential but we need to improve."

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