Scott refusing to give up on Origin

MATT Scott has not given up on his Maroons career after admitting he was disappointed to be left out of Queensland’s team for Origin I.

Scott was a shock omission from coach Kevin Walters’ Queensland team for last night’s 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 series due to injury 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 I 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 yesterday.

“I thought my last four or five weeks of footy have been pretty good. 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.

“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.

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’m still a very proud Queenslander. I’ve got a lot of passion for that jersey and the team.”