Snubbed Scott says he’s got more to give
Cowboy happy with career but would love to return to Origin arena
MATT Scott has not given up on his Maroons career after admitting he was disappointed to be left out of Queensland’s Origin I team.
Scott was a shock omission from coach Kevin Walters’ Queensland team for last night’s Origin series opener at the MCG.
The 22-game Maroons veteran was overlooked following a sluggish start to the season in his return from a knee reconstruction.
Scott, 32, made his Origin debut in 2006 and has been an integral figure in Queensland’s dominance over the past decade.
He missed last year’s entire series but was considered a walk-up starter this season after Walters guaranteed his recall in March.
However, Walters opted to retain starting props Dylan Napa and Jarrod Wallace for Game One and left Scott out of the 17 after he suffered another minor knee injury on the eve of selection.
Speaking for the first time about his snubbing, Scott said he thought his form warranted a recall.
“I was obviously disappointed,” the Cowboys co-captain said.
“I thought my last four or five weeks of footy have been pretty good. I was back to what I knew I was capable of doing.
“I thought I was pushing to get my spot back.
“Kevvie has shown a lot of faith in the guys that did the job last year and that’s a credit to him. He has stuck with some guys that got the job done. That’s the Queensland way.
“It was up to me to try and claim my spot back. I didn’t do that but that’s part of footy.”
Scott failed to beat a shoulder charge suspension at the judiciary last week and was rubbed out for one match, which would have ruled him out of Origin I if he had been picked.
He will return to the field in North Queensland’s clash with lowly Parramatta in Darwin on Saturday.
Scott said he believed he could still deliver in the Origin arena.
“I think I’ve still got enough to contribute on the Origin stage,” he said. “I’d love to get back in there. I’d love to pull on the jersey again.
“If I never do, I’m pretty happy with my career so far. I’ve played more Origins than I ever thought I would.
“I got dropped after one game so to play 22 … I’m very proud.
“If I didn’t play again, I’d be happy, but at the same time I’d like to get back in that arena.”
The 14th-placed Cowboys secured a shock win against Manly in Scott’s absence as lock Jason Taumalolo produced his best performance of the season, charging for 264m and busting 10 tackles.
Scott is itching to return as the Cowboys chase back-toback wins for the first time this season and said he had a point to prove to Walters.
“I guess you could say that,” he said. “I’ve had a week off and I’m just trying to get back into some footy and continue the job the boys did last week.
“I’m not really thinking about Origin at this stage.”
The Cowboys will be sweating on the availability of Maroons representatives Michael Morgan, Gavin Cooper and Coen Hess, who have all been named to back up after Origin I.
IF I NEVER DO, I’M PRETTY HAPPY WITH MY CAREER SO FAR. I’VE PLAYED MORE ORIGINS THAN I EVER THOUGHT I WOULD. I GOT DROPPED AFTER ONE GAME SO TO PLAY 22 … I’M VERY PROUD
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