But the tattooed 22-year-old forward who stands at 193 centimetres and weighs 104 kilograms said it had only been in the past 12 months when he had felt at home against the best big men in Group 9 rugby league.

The improvement hasn’t gone unnoticed, with the former Red Bend player the surprise packet of the league’s 19-member representative squad to take on Group 20 later this month.

“I was a bit surprised,” Cowhan said.

“I’m just enjoying playing.

“When I first came to Albury I had just had a knee reconstruction and that set me back a bit — then I did my shoulder against Temora and it kept popping out so I needed another reconstruction.

“I guess I just have confidence in my body again and that’s always going to help.”

Cowhan was the first of the Forbes connection to arrive on the Border in 2011 and has since been joined by good mates Lou Goodwin, Mitch Davis, Nick Wilson and Jake Grace.

Goodwin and Davis were also named in the Group 9 team along with Ben Jeffery and Willie Heta.

Thunder coach Josh Cale said Cowhan had been one of the club’s biggest improvers in his time at Greenfield Park.

“He’s had a few injuries over the past few years but he’s playing really well at the moment,” Cale said.

“He’s always been so big and strong and I think it’s taken him a while to realise how strong he is.

“He’ll get better and better as he’s such a good athlete.”

The carpenter has been solid in Albury’s opening round wins against Gundagai and Brothers and is looking forward to taking on Temora on Sunday.

The Dragons are also unbeaten and have arguably the league’s best player in ex-NRL player Michael Henderson.

“We are going all right, but with a lot of new players in our side we probably haven’t gelled yet,” Cowhan said.