Ben Drewe Green right in decision on line-up

The fairytale run of the Cowboys to the NRL grand final will carry on with Matt Scott on the sidelines in what is a bold but good decision by North Queensland coach Paul Green.

The Cowboys are preparing for Sunday’s decider against Melbourne in Sydney having nearly missed out on a place in the finals altogether.

Without key men Johnathan Thurston and Scott for much of the season, the Cowboys scraped into the finals and then defied the odds to beat more fancied rivals three times in sudden-death finals.

Behind the scenes Scott has also been trying to defy the odds.

The Cowboys stalwart looked out for the season back in March when he ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his knee back in round two.

He has worked hard to get himself fit to play and the Cowboys co-captain is available for selection in the grand final.

Green has revealed he won’t change his 17 to play though in what is a good decision.

Scott is a Cowboys legend and an automatic start when fit.

But the Cowboys have learnt how to win without him.

The likes of John Asiata, Scott Bolton, Corey Jensen and Jason Taumalolo have banded together to get the job done in the middle of the park.

When the Cowboys have defied the odds to get to the grand final and risen to the challenge for their team mates, how can you change the line-up?

The Cowboys have built their run on guts and dedication, so those who have lifted in the absence of two of the Cowboys’ greatest players deserve to finish the job.