* SCOTT SIDELINED
Green rules out Scott for grand final
COWBOYS coach Paul Green will stick with the same squad that has taken North Queensland to a surprise grand final – effectively ruling out a miracle return for cocaptain Matt Scott.
Green (pictured) held an impromptu press conference at the club’s headquarters yesterday afternoon to end the growing speculation surrounding Scott’s availability.
The Cowboys mentor said Scott would only be considered if any of the current 17 suffered an injury between now and grand final day.
“They’re the guys that got us there, so they deserve the chance to get the job done for us again on the weekend,” Green said.
“If that’s not the case and we were to have something go against us, as a forward option Matt would come into the frame.”
Cowboys lock Jason Taumalolo said Scott was desperately unlucky not to be in the team.
“I feel for Thumper, he’s worked hard all year and probably deserved a shot, but in saying that so did everyone who has been playing the last month or so,” he said.
Scott will again be named on the Cowboys extended squad today after Green made shockwaves last week by including the Test and State of Origin prop in his 21-man squad for the first time since suffering his ACL injury in round two.
JASON Taumalolo says Matt Scott is shattered to miss out on North Queensland’s 17man NRL grand final team but admits he’s not surprised by Paul Green’s call. Cowboys coach Green held a surprise press conference yesterday to announced co-captain Scott would only play in Sunday’s season decider against Melbourne if there was an unexpected injury.
Scott is set to be named in the Cowboys’ 21-man squad today, but Green said he will only return from a knee injury if one of their forward pack goes down injured this week.
“As long as nothing happens injury-wise throughout the week, the same 17 will play on Sunday,” Green said.
“If that’s not the case, if we were to have something go against us, as a forward option Matt would come into the frame there. But they’re the guys that got us there, so they deserve to get the job done for us on the weekend.”
Taumalolo said Scott had been desperate to play since injuring his knee in round two.
“But to be honest I am probably not (surprised),” he said.
“The guys have taken the field the last three weeks have done their job well and deserve their spot in the grand final.
“Yeah I think he (Scott) was pretty disappointed ... but whoever he was about to drop deserves their spot and a chance at winning a premiership.”
Taumalolo said Green’s call ensured there was one less distraction for North Queensland ahead of their second grand final in three years.
“I think it is good clarity. A few of the boys were a bit hesitant whether they would play or not but now we have that done and dusted at the start of the week and we can concentrate on the game and enjoy the grand final,” he said.
Scott was a shock inclusion in the Cowboys’ squad for their preliminary final win over the Sydney Roosters, sparking suggestions he could make an on-field return in the decider.
His return would be a significant boost for the Cowboys, given his experience as a Queensland State of Origin and Kangaroos Test frontrower. But Green said Scott was comfortable with the decision. “He’s fine,” Green said. “He’s happy to help wherever he can. That’s what both our captains (along with Johnathan Thurston) have been doing. They’ve been trying to help wherever they can.”