Bolton’s not down in mouth
THEY say bad things come in threes.
If that’s true, Cowboys prop Scott Bolton will be hoping it will be plain sailing for the rest of the season as he battles mouth ulcers in the build- up to Saturday’s crucial clash at Penrith.
The condition is a reaction to a dose of antibiotics to clear up a chest infection he battled before the round 21 loss to the Roosters.
Throw in a hyperextended elbow he copped against Melbourne last week, and the 30- year- old is hopeful his rough patch is over.
“With my immune system being beaten down as well, the last month of footy has been pretty tough for myself,” Bolton said.
“It’s been tough but hopefully it’s all behind me and I feel like I’m on the mend.
“The elbow’s good. I’ll just strap it again this weekend. The only pain you do get with it is when it straightens right out.
“( It was) just a little hyperextension and it wasn’t too bad at all.”
It will be music to the ears of Cowboys fans, as the team can ill- afford another injury to an experienced prop with Matt Scott, Patrick Kaufusi and Ben Spina already out for the season.
It has been a testing but satisfying season personally for Bolton, who is averaging 132 metres and 31 tackles a game.
Rather than be daunted by the task of lifting up front in the absence of Scott and the departed James Tamou ( Penrith) and Ben Hannant ( retired), Bolton has embraced the challenge.
Bolton has been elevated to the starting line- up this year, is playing bigger minutes and has taken on a bigger leadership role, on and off the field.
He will come up against Tamou for the second time this year on Saturday after the Cowboys won the round 16 battle in Townsville.
“Having played behind Jimmy ( Tamou) and Matty Scott for a number of years, when you get these opportunities you relish them,” he said. “I’ve been very excited about the challenges I’ve had this year, and they’ve been very rewarding.
“That experience ( of Scott) is something we have missed, but there’s been a lot of players throughout the year who have stepped up at different times.”