Cowboys setbacks make youngster’s debut a Dunn deal
THE Cowboys have suffered another setback for tonight’s clash with Manly, with veteran forward Scott Bolton ruled out with a rib cartilage injury.
Bolton failed to travel with the team to Sydney yesterday, after also missing the final training session of the week.
It is another big blow for the Cowboys, who also found out on Tuesday night that starting prop and co-captain Matt Scott had been found guilty of a shoulder charge and would miss the match at Brookvale.
With Gavin Cooper, Michael Morgan and Coen Hess also absent because of Origin duty, the under-siege Cowboys are facing a massive challenge to get their fourth win of the season.
It is expected young Mackay forward Mitchell Dunn will make his NRL debut while centre Kane Linnett is also tipped to return from a pectoral injury.
The pair flew to Sydney yesterday, as did likely 18th man Javid Bowen.
The losses of Scott and Bolton will force the Cowboys into a reshuffle, with a number of options at their disposal.
Shaun Fensom can play in the front row, while props Corey Jensen and Francis Molo are also on the bench.
New face Dunn, however, is expected to come into the second row at some point, after starting his Intrust Super Cup career as part of Mackay’s forward pack.
The 190cm, 21-year-old played for the Cowboys under-20s team last season.
He joined the Cutters this year and was a five-eighth before transitioning into a backrower.
“He’s been going really well with our feeder clubs,” Cowboys assistant coach David Fairleigh said. “We have no hesitation in bringing him in.
“It’s bad to lose a guy with experience (in Bolton) but it creates opportunities for some young guys coming through. “I have high hopes for him.” Manly are not expected to make any changes to their line-up, but will lose Jake and Tom Trbojevic to Origin duty.