Down six forwards, Cowboys deploy young guns
NRL TIPPING
THE Cowboys will be forced to blood one of their youngest and most inexperienced packs in recent memory after Matt Scott’s suspension was compounded by the loss of Scott Bolton through injury.
Bolton has succumbed to a rib cartilage injury suffered in last week’s loss to Melbourne and was a no-show when the team travelled to Sydney yesterday for tonight’s clash with Manly.
Back rower Mitchell Dunn is set to make his NRL debut after impressing with Mackay Cutters this season.
The 21-year-old captained North Queensland’s under-20s team last year and played most of his football at five-eighth alongside highly rated halfback Jake Clifford.
But at 190cm and 100kg, the Mackay junior had always been earmarked as a ball-playing forward and will get his chance to impress against the Sea Eagles.
Needing a win to keep their faint finals hopes alive, the Cowboys will enter the match without six first-choice forwards in Bolton, Scott, Jordan McLean (foot), John Asiata (pectoral), Coen Hess (Origin) and Gavin Cooper (Origin).
Three members of the prop rotation – Francis Molo, Corey Jensen and Sam Hoare – have played just 53 NRL games between them.
Bolton didn’t train yesterday and could miss more games.
“He’s got a pretty serious rib cartilage injury so, given the nature of that, it’s more than likely he won’t play,” Cowboys assistant coach David said.
“It’s tough to lose guys with experience but it creates opportunities for young guys coming through and we have high hopes for Dunny.
“This has happened to us all season, we’ve faced adversity from round one. It’s a great challenge for the team.
“The nucleus of the team’s here with a couple of rookies.” Fairleigh