The North Queensland Cowboys are reeling following their blockbusting win over Brisbane, losing three of their rep stars to injury. But none will hurt than the absence of Matt Scott.
A torn calf suffered by fullback Lachlan Coote and Antonio Winterstein’s broken arm are sure to impact the Cowboys, but with Kalyn Ponga and Javid Bowen, they have admirable replacements. But losing their co-captain is a blow they can’t recover from.
Matt Scott appears to have ruptured his ACL, just a week after Queensland and Kangaroo’s teammate Greg Inglis suffered the same fate, possibly ruling a line through North Queensland’s premiership chances in 2017.
The Maroons prop is set to sign a three-year contract with Newcastle starting next season, the reported $700,000 a season salary too much for the big man to turn down. But if Scott has signed with the Knights, then it seems the premiership-winning captain’s Cowboys career is all but done and dusted.
Debuting in 2004, Scott has played all of his 233 NRL games with North Queensland, winning State of Origin shields, World Cups and even an illustrious premiership throughout his fourteen year Townsville stint. Unfortunately for Cowboy’s fans, their hopes for a premiership this year snapped the second Matt Scott’s ACL did.
Losing James Tamou to Penrith and Ben Hannant to retirement in the lead up to the season, the Cowboys were already skinny up front to start the season. Despite the strong form of Jason Taumalolo and young gun Coen Hess, Scott is irreplaceable.
Sure, they still have a strong squad in Townsville, Jonathan Thurston, Michael Morgan, Jason Taumalolo, Gavin Cooper, all stars of the game. But Scott is the side’s heavy lifter, the inspirational skipper, the hard man. What he brings to the side is so important.
The blow of losing the prop will be softened in 2018, with Melbourne Storm youngster Jordan MacLean reportedly signing a deal with the Cowboys, escaping the club where he’s infamously remembered for his involvement in the Alex McKinnon incident.
One interesting storyline to emerge from the injury is how it will affect Newcastle coach Nathan Brown, who was supposedly having second thoughts about signing the front-rower. The big question is how a knee reconstruction will impact Scott’s longevity, already carrying neck and back issues throughout his career. Or possibly a premature end to his Cowboy career could see a backflip from Scott. It’s anyone’s guess at this point.
Scott will have further scans this weekend, confirming the end of his glittering career up north. He’ll forever be remembered in North Queensland folklore, but the next jersey the big man will slip will be red and blue.