From backyard idol to good mate, Canterbury sensation Ben Barba has long had an association with North Queensland veteran Matt Bowen.

Barba revealed his respect and admiration of Bowen ahead of Saturday’s NRL blockbuster between the table-topping Bulldogs and the Cowboys – with the 23-year-old acknowledging how the Cowboys fullback was his childhood hero.

“We’d have a game of footy and there’d be about 10 Matty Bowen’s in the backyard,” Barba said on Wednesday.

“Myself and every one of my brothers and cousins wanted to be him.

“He’s definitely one of the blokes we all looked up to.”

Since first meeting his idol as a 12-year-old at a country carnival in Mackay, Barba’s relationship with Bowen has developed into a mutual friendship as the Bulldogs star has emerged as one of the most exciting players in the game.

The pair regularly keep in touch through social media and forged close bonds ahead of their participation in the 2011 NRL All-Stars match.

And while Barba’s electric form this season has plenty of tongues wagging, the man himself is just thrilled to see Bowen back to his best after struggling with injury in recent seasons.

“I’m happy as Larry for him,” Barba said.

“We’re good, close friends now and for him – to be at his age with the knee reconstructions he’s had, playing the football he is now – is unbelievable.

“We’ve really got to be on our game on Saturday if we’re going to have any chance of stopping him.”