Youngsters listen up

SCOTT Bolton is a man of few words. It’s why he loves the solitude and peacefulness of fishing.

But after Matt Scott’s season- ending knee injury he knew he not only needed to step up, but to speak up.

Sealing the starting spot left vacant by the departed James Tamou was his number one goal, which he has accomplished by averaging 137 metres and 33 tackles per game.

Laidback by nature, the ears of his Cowboys teammates prick up when he has something to say, because they know it’s important.

“I was motivated in pre season to work hard, and try and cement that starting spot beside Matty Scott,” Bolton said.

“Last year I was only averaging 30 or 35 minutes, playing those extra minutes I’m getting noticed a bit more.

“It ( leadership) has probably come from how quiet I was behind Jimmy ( Tamou) and Matt Scott.

“Those guys strong leaders.

“The start of the year it was a surprise for the boys to hear me talking, and they listened to what I had to say.

“Obviously you want to back those words up so the boys follow, if you’re saying the right things you have to back it up.

“It’s been pretty rewarding.”

Cowboys winger Kyle Feldt says Bolton has the respect of the squad off the field because of his actions on it.

“He had his 30th birthday the other day so he’s getting on, but he’s playing his best footy,” Feldt said.

“His confidence is through the roof and he’s taken a leadership role in our team. are really

“He’s really taken it upon himself, especially at training.

“All the young guys are starting to listen to him more and when he does speak, the room goes really quiet.”

Bolton is off contract after this year and says he will look to work something out with the Cowboys during next week’s bye.

The club has already signed Jason Taumalolo to an unprecedented ten- year deal while Melbourne prop Jordan McLean will join the Cowboys next year.

“I haven’t done too much ( negotiating) with the club at the moment but coming into the bye I’ll be trying to get something sorted out with the Cowboys,” he said.

“But if not I think I’ve got at least a couple more years left in me and I just turned 30 the other day.

“I’ll be looking for another couple of years at least.”

Despite his strong form, Bolton believes a chance to play Origin for Queensland has passed him by.

“I think there’s a lot of great young players coming through and my time’s probably done for that type of thing,” he said.

“In my mind that’s pretty much behind me and I look forward to Origin time and being a leader around the squad.”

The Maroons and Blues will name their teams for game one of the Origin series today.