Pack is key to revenge: Scott
MATT Scott has challenged North Queensland’s famed forward pack to deliver as ex- Storm prop Jordan McLean braces to face the club he walked out on.
The Cowboys are chasing redemption at AAMI Park on Thursday night in what will be the first NRL clash between last year’s grand finalists.
Melbourne thumped North Queensland 34- 6 in the 2017 decider, bringing the Cowboys back to earth with a thud after their fairytale finals run.
Cowboys co- captain Scott was not on the field at ANZ Stadium that night after missing most of the season with a knee injury.
Scott, 32, will lead North Queensland’s charge in the grand final rematch and wants the Cowboys’ big men to bounce back after they were upstaged by the baby Broncos last week.
On paper, the Cowboys boast the best forward pack in the NRL with Test stars Scott, McLean and Jason Taumalolo well supported by Gavin Cooper, Ethan Lowe and a solid bench.
They were outpointed by the energetic Broncos in last Friday’s derby thriller and Scott said the Cowboys had to deal better with the expectation.
“It’s going to be hard, especially with guys like Gavin Cooper giving us nicknames ( wolf pack) we didn’t want,” he said. “We’ve got to be aware that every week teams will be up for us. They will do their video, especially on the likes of Jason and Macca ( McLean).
“It’s good motivation for our position. It’s something we’ve got to learn to deal with and match.
“It’s a massive battle ( against Melbourne). Especially running off someone like Cameron Smith, he is the key to that forward pack.”
The rematch will be McLean’s trip to Melbourne since he won year’s title with the Storm.
The Kangaroos giant left Melbourne for a lucrative deal in Townsville and said he was sledged by his former teammates in last month’s trial match at Suncorp Stadium. first last
“There was a couple of old mates swinging a few yarns there in among the scrums,” he said.
McLean, 26, was sensational for the Storm last season alongside Jesse Bromwich and Nelson Asofa- Solomona.
The Storm will be smarting after a shock loss to the Wests Tigers on Satur- day night and McLean said he was expecting a tough night containing the 200cm, 115kg Asofa- Solomona.
“I haven’t seen too much of him this year but he has the ability and is huge and quick,” he said.
“It will be a good battle for me up front.”