A YOUNG boy hit square in the face by a footy while watching the Cowboys play in what’s been called the “biggest falcon of the year” is vowing to catch the ball next time.

Max Hooper, 5, was with his family on the hill watching the North Queensland Cowboys play the Dragons on Saturday night when a Johnathan Thurston goal kick hit his head.

media_camera Cowboy Johnathan Thurston with St Joseph's prep student Max Hooper, 5.

The Prep student at St Joseph’s Mundingburra sits on the same spot on the hill every game of the season with his family.

“We were quite distracted that game with all the extra kids on the hill and they were running through the middle of our rug while we were trying to keep our own small kids together,” his mother Leonie Hooper said.

media_camera Max Hooper, 5 of Annandale has the falcon of the year as he was hit by a football at the Cowboys v Dragons NRL game on Saturday night. Picture: Zak Simmonds

“I wasn’t aware the kick was happening until the ball was about a foot from Max’s head.

“It took about 10 minutes for him to settle, it certainly hurt but I think the fright he got was worse. Fortunately he wasn’t hurt at all but he was closely monitored for the night just in case.

media_camera Cowboy Johnathan Thurston with St Joseph's prep student Max Hooper, 5.

“It certainly hasn’t scared him off the footy. He loves the Cowboys and can’t wait for the next game. He says he will just have to catch it next time.”

Demi-Lee Rutland was visiting from Blackwater in Central Queensland for the Laurie Spina Shield and filmed the unfortunate incident that has since gone viral on social media with nearly a million views.

media_camera Max Hooper, 5 of Annandale has the falcon of the year as he was hit by a football at the Cowboys v Dragons NRL game on Saturday night. Picture: Zak Simmonds

“We asked the mother of Max, Leonie, if it was OK to post the video and it all went viral like the flu from there,” she said.

Thurston met Max yesterday and presented him with a signed kicking tee and the message: “To Max, Sorry for the falcon!”