Scott to recover but won’t get his on-field farewell
COWBOYS veteran Matt Scott continues to be monitored by doctors in Brisbane as the club aims to finalise preparations ahead of tomorrow night’s clash with the Panthers.
Scott’s diagnosis of a “mild stroke” rocked the club to its foundations, with support staff, administration staff and the football department all concerned for the club great.
While there has been no official update on his condition, doctors in the state’s capital have advised the club the 34year-old is expected to make a full recovery.
Australian Rugby League Commission chairman Peter Beattie said the commission felt for the Scott family.
“He’s an absolute legend of the game, and we are really feeling for the family in this time,” Beattie said.
“He has been a great contributor to the game at a number of levels including club, state and for his country.”
Scott is not the first professional footballer to suffer a stroke while playing, with Ulster forward Chris Henry making a dramatic return to topflight rugby in Ireland last year after suffering a mini-stroke four years beforehand.
But Scott will not make a return to the field, after the 268game veteran announced retirement earlier this year.
Former teammate Aaron Payne, who played 125 games alongside Scott, said the saddest part was seeing his mate not get to finish his career the way he deserved.
“I think I was like everyone, I was shocked when I heard it,” he said.
“I was pretty worried about his health, especially being so young. He is a professional his athlete, you just don’t expect that to happen.
“The sad part is he didn’t get to go out the way he deserved.”
When he made his retirement announcement last month, Scott said he had “squeezed every last drop” out of his body, and Payne said he couldn’t have found better words for it.
“He has been a real warrior for the Cowboys, he has put his body through hell,” Payne said.