WELCOME MATT

DALLY M superstar Jason Taumalolo would give up his grand final berth for Matt Scott.

And the man expected to make way for Scott, rookie prop Corey Jensen, also said he would accept being axed for the Cowboys to win another premiership.

Scott is in line to make a remarkable return from a 205- day absence with a knee injury in Sunday’s NRL grand final against Melbourne at ANZ Stadium.

The Test and Maroons prop has been declared fit and coach Paul Green will green- light his return by tomorrow naming Scott in his 21- man grand final squad.

Scott’s return will be one of the game’s great comeback stories, however it means Green must axe one of the players who has helped North Queensland produce a Cinderella story during the finals series.

While bench forwards Coen Hess ( knee) and John Asiata ( broken hand) are carrying injuries, Jensen seems the most likely player to make way for Scott.

Jensen, 23, made his NRL debut for the Cowboys in round 7 and has played 16 games this season but admitted the team must come first.

“I don’t know what to feel. It hasn’t really sunk in yet,” Jensen said.

“It’s my first year in the NRL and to make a grand final is a dream come true. “It’s a team- first mentality.

“Thumper ( Scott) is one of our captains and an international player. He’s a great player for the club.

“If he was to come back and I was to miss out … the team comes first and I know he’ll do the job and do it proudly.”

It would be heartbreaking for one of the 17 players from North Queensland’s triumph over the Roosters last Saturday night to be axed for the decider. LeagueLeagu greats Darren Lockyer and Andrew Johns yesterday appealed for Green to stick with the same team but Scott’s availability could be too hard to ignore.

The 109kg veteran would bring size and 233 games of NRL experience to combat Melbourne’s giant forward pack comprising Jesse Bromwich, Jordan McLean and Nelson Asofa- Solomona. CONTINUED:

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