JT, Scott back on park
IT’S the sight Cowboys fans have been craving – Johnathan Thurston and Matt Scott ditching their suits for football jerseys.
The co- captains will make their much- awaited returns from injury in headlining a strong North Queensland team for their opening trial against Wests Tigers in Cairns on February 17.
First team regulars Scott Bolton, Jake Granville, Ethan Lowe, Coen Hess and John Asiata have also been named in a 22- man squad. Coach Paul Green forecast Thurston and Scott would play about half an hour each as they make their comebacks from shoulder and knee injuries, respectively.
Scott’s 2017 came to an abrupt end when he injured his anterior cruciate ligament in Round 2 against Brisbane, while Thurston underwent shoulder surgery after carrying the injury through most of Origin II for Queensland.
“Johnno and Thumper ( Scott) haven’t played much footy in the last little while, so they both wanted to get a hitout under their belt before the first trial against Melbourne, and blow some cobwebs out,” Green said.
“It’s good to have them back, just having them at training is really good to help the young guys,
“They just want a hitout under their belt before the Melbourne game and, more importantly, before Round 1, maybe 30 minutes or something like that.”
Townsville Blackhawks recruits Francis Molo and Carlin Anderson will make their Cowboys debuts off the bench, while outside backs Gideon Gela- Mosby, Shaun Hudson and Enari Tuala will start.
World Cup stars Morgan, Jason Taumalolo and Jordan McLean will be rested until the second and final trial against Melbourne.
“Some of the younger guys from up that way have been training real- ly well and deserve their chance to show what they can do and put into a game situation what they’ve been practising all off season,” Green said.
Centre Hudson is making his return from an anterior cruciate ligament injury he suffered at the Auckland Nines last year.
“He’s a guy coming back from injury and it’s been a long time since he’s played some footy,” Green said. “I’m sure he’s sick of training and waiting to get out there and play.”
Fullback Lachlan Coote, emerging hooker Josh Chudleigh and Shaun Fensom weren’t considered for selection due to injury.
Coote is dealing with a minor hamstring issue while Chudleigh ( knee surgery) and Fensom ( broken leg) aren’t ready to return. “I don’t think Cootey would be ready for this trial. He had a bit of a hamstring complaint but it’s nothing too serious,” Green said. “I probably wouldn’t have played him anyway, given his experience.” Cowboys team to play Wests Tigers: 1. Ben Hampton, 2. Gideon Gela- Mosby, 3. Javid Bowen, 4. Shaun Hudson, 5. Enari Tuala, 6. Te Maire Martin, 7. Johnathan Thurston, 8. Scott Bolton, 9. Jake Granville, 10. Matt Scott, 11. Ethan Lowe, 12. Coen Hess, 13. John Asiata. Interchange: Kyle Laybutt, Jake Clifford, Mitch Dunn, Shane Wright, Corey Jensen, Sam Hoare, Emry Pere, Francis Molo, Carlin Anderson.