Scott in Asiata’s corner
MATT Scott won’t be on the field for the Cowboys in tomorrow’s grand final, but John Asiata says the veteran prop’s influence on the team still runs deep.
Scott ( pictured) has fallen short in his bid for a miraculous comeback just six months after a knee reconstruction, with coach Paul Green opting to stick with the same 17 players who guided them to the decider from eighth place.
It’s a big call to leave out a player of Scott’s experience, with his 233 NRL games and 22 Origins for Queensland, but the Cowboys co- captain has not been kicking stones since his injury.
Scott has used his time on the sidelines to mentor the club’s young forwards, with the Cowboys to field three players under 25 in the grand final with Asiata ( 24), Corey Jensen ( 23), and Coen Hess ( 21).
Asiata said Scott’s guidance throughout the season had given them a massive confidence boost as they prepare to tackle the all- star Storm forward pack.
“He’s been a really good influence, not just on myself, but the whole forward pack,” Asiata said.
“His leadership shows even though he’s not playing, he comes and takes us in and does one- on- one talks with us.
“He lets us know how we go throughout the week and we take that in because he’s an experienced player. It’s not like just someone from park footy.
“He knows the game very well and how games unfold. He’s been very good for us young forwards.”
Asiata has noticed a definite change in his own game over the past few weeks and he said Scott’s advice had been a big factor.
The skilful prop is known as a more of a ballplayer, but Asiata said Scott had helped him learn how to play more direct and initiate contact with the defensive line.
“He’s helped with my little efforts and my defence and just being able to keep moving your feet into contact and initiating contact,” Asiata said.
“That’s the probably the one thing I’ve been working on in the last two months and it has improved a lot.
“All credit to ‘ Thumper’ for helping me out there.”
It has been an impressive feat for Asiata to keep playing after twice breaking his hand during the finals — first against Cronulla before suffering another fracture in last weekend’s win over the Roosters.
Doctors cleared Asiata to use a thick plastic cast to protect his hand from further damage and the versatile forward said he was prepared to play through the pain as he chases a second premiership with the Cowboys.
“They said you can play, but it is gonna hurt. It couldn’t get any worse so why not continue playing?,” Asiata said.
“It does hurt at some stages, but it is what it is. It’s football.”
Cowboys assistant coach David Fairleigh was confident Asiata won’t be a liability in the grand final, suggesting his broken hand was more an excuse to avoid changing his onemonth- old daughter’s nappies.