Cowboys captain Johnathan Thurston urges Cowboys to chase Barba JOHNATHAN Thurston has urged the Cowboys to make a play for Bulldogs sensation Ben Barba as the club prepares for life after veteran fullback Matt Bowen. Ahead of Friday's Queensland blockbuster against the Broncos in Townsville, Thurston said he would relish the prospect of teaming with Barba if he formally requests a release from the Bulldogs. A Mackay product, Barba has links to the tropics and is tipped to return to Queensland next season as Ainslie Currie, the mother of his two daughters, eyes a move to Brisbane. The Broncos have been heavily linked with Barba, but Thurston believes the reigning Dally M Medallist would be the perfect successor to Bowen, who is considering retirement at season's end. "There's a nice house up here in Townsville for him," Thurston quipped when asked about the Barba family's impending relocation. It's a good question for us. Whether Matty plays on next year or not, any club would love to have him (Barba) and we're no different. Canterbury Bulldogs star Ben Barba runs past Cowboys skipper Johnathan Thurtson. We would love to see him up here, and it would be great to have him up here, but whether he comes is another question. Benny is a marquee player, but he has to make a decision based on his family and that's what he will do. With contract negotiations, everything weighs on you when you aren't on the paddock because they are the things you think about off the paddock. For now, Thurston has other considerations, primarily keeping North Queensland's season alive against the Broncos in a virtual grand-final derby for both sides. The Cowboys playmaker last week steered Queensland to an eighth consecutive crown and he hopes to parlay his Origin form into a barnstorming finish at club level. Thurston hasn't forgotten his most recent game for the Cowboys, defensively terrorised by Maroons hulk Josh Papalii in a 26-18 loss to the Raiders. "I was pretty happy with the way I played in Origin so hopefully I can continue that form," he said. We're both sitting where we don't want to on the ladder, so it's a big game for both of us. I have to be smart. All the halves get targeted (in defence); my last game for the club was atrocious and no doubt the Broncos would have had a look at that and they will have a game plan to throw plenty of traffic my way. They are looking for answers as well, that's why they have made a few changes to their squad. Ben Hunt comes in and gets an opportunity to cement a spot. No doubt he will be looking to impress, so we will be trying to make the night difficult for him.