The North Queensland Cowboys have announced that co-captain Matthew Scott has agreed to a contract extension until the end of the 2019 season.
The two-year deal will mean Scott, 31, will be a 16-season Cowboy after the Central Queensland product debuted in Round 19, 2004 against the Eels as an 18-year-old.
“I’m truly thrilled to be extending my time at this great club for a further two seasons,” Scott said.
“I’ve had so many great experiences here, taken the field with some wonderful players and made lifelong friends.
“To be able to continue on this journey with the Cowboys means the world to me and I look forward to getting through my rehab and giving the Cowboys my all for the next couple of seasons.”
Scott is recovering from a serious knee injury and will spend the next few months in rehab, but the 233-gamer will lend valuable dressing room and sideline experience to the team during their 2017 NRL campaign.
“We’ve got a great mix of experience and young talent in our team this year and I’m confident we’ll have another strong year on the field,” Scott said.
Cowboys General Manager – Football Peter Parr said that Scott personifies many traits of the club, including commitment, remarkable consistency and true resilience.
“Matt has been in the top handful of props in the NRL for well over a decade,” Parr said.
“He’s represented his state and country over 20 times apiece, led the Cowboys to their maiden premiership and has represented this club on and off the field to the highest standard since he first made the move north.
“We’re rapt that Matt will extend his time here and I know the young crop of young and emerging forwards really look up to him and will learn much from him over the next three years.”
After playing four games in his first two seasons at the club, Scott went on to establish himself as a regular first-grader from the 2006 season and played at least 20 games for nine of the subsequent 11 seasons.
Known for combining uncompromising toughness with good skills and a lead-by-example mantra, Scott has represented Queensland and Australia 22 times each, has co-captained the Cowboys since 2011 and is a two-time winner of both the Paul Bowman Medal for Cowboy of the Year (2010, 2013) and Players’ Player of the Year (2010, 2013).