SCOTT’S STROKE SCARE

Cowboys in shock as favourite son admitted to hospital

NORTH Queensland coach Paul Green has spoken of the club’s devastation after learning that Matt Scott, the Cowboys’ greatest prop, had suffered a stroke.

Green says doctors are confident Scott will make a full recovery after he suffered a mild stroke just 24 hours after the Cowboys’ 42-6 loss to the Knights in Newcastle last Saturday night.

Former Queensland Origin prop Scott is currently recovering in hospital in Brisbane.

Cowboys teammates were informed of the news yesterday morning, plunging the club into a state of shock ahead of Friday’s home clash against the Panthers in Townsville.

Scott announced his retirement at season’s end last month, but his Cowboys career is almost certainly over with the 34-year-old unlikely to play in the club’s final two games against the Bulldogs and Melbourne.

Nicknamed ‘Thumper’, Scott is the most-capped forward in Cowboys history, having played 268 first-grade games, and Green said the club is reeling at the prop’s health battle.

“It’s pretty upsetting news, everyone is processing it at the moment,” he said.

“It’s tougher for Matt and his family as well. We need to make sure they are OK.

“It’s pretty serious, I’d be surprised if he does play again, but that’s the least of his worries at this stage.

“He’s in good hands, he is getting the right support and treatment.

“They are confident he will make a recovery.”

Scott showed no illeffects on Saturday, playing 36 minutes in the Cowboys’ heavy loss to the Knights.

But the following morning, Scott woke up feeling unwell. The former Maroons and Test prop managed to fly from Newcastle to Brisbane but upon landing, Cowboys medicos made the decision to take Scott to hospital for tests.

Doctors do not believe Scott’s mild stroke is related to any football incident.

A stroke is a sudden interruption in the blood supply of the brain. Most strokes are caused by an abrupt blockage of arteries leading to the brain. Other strokes are caused by bleeding into brain tissue when a blood vessel bursts.

“They (Cowboys players) were pretty shocked. There were a range of emotions,” Green said. “It’s not what we expected. We knew Matt was pretty crook coming off the flight but for it to be what it is, it is quite surprising and everyone is taken aback by what’s happened.”