Bolton to play through pain
THE scars of 2017 are still apparent for Scott Bolton and he will have to live with them for the rest of his career.
The front rower and former Innisfail junior has revealed the sternum injury he suffered in Cairns is still not 100 per cent, even after months of rehabilitation.
“It’s settling down a little bit but it’s still not 100 per cent, obviously. It’s something I’m probably going to have to play with for the rest of my career,” Bolton told the Cairns Post.
“It’s going to be sore through the season, quite sore at times, and we’re just going to have to manage that around games and short turnarounds and things like that, but it’s a lot better than how it was last year.”
It may have an impact on his longevity in the game, but he still has a Cowboys contract until the end of 2019.
“We’ll assess that when that time comes but for the moment I’m at the Cowboys for the next two years and hopefully I can get through and this year we can hopefully go one step further,” Bolton said.
But there’s no way he will be holding back, even if Matt Scott might take a few minutes off him in 2018.
“Last year as a group we were challenging each other there and sharing the role around but with Matty being back, it’s making sure we don’t let him do all that and help him out and keep our standards there,” Bolton said.
“I’m sure I’ll get my opportunities throughout the year, whether it be starting or coming off the bench.”
IT’S SOMETHING I’M PROBABLY GOING TO HAVE TO PLAY WITH FOR THE REST OF MY CAREER SCOTT BOLTON