Matt Scott to step up in Johnathan Thurston’s absence

COWBOYS warhorse Matt Scott is determined to overcome a second bout of neck surgery and fill the leadership void in the absence of Johnathan Thurston next season.

North Queensland Cowboys v Parramatta Eels from 1300 Smiles Stadium, Townsville. Cowboys Matt Scott. Picture: Zak Simmonds

COWBOYS warhorse Matt Scott is determined to overcome a second bout of neck surgery and fill the leadership void in the absence of Johnathan Thurston next season.

Scott admits Thurston’s Townsville swan song on Friday night has forced him to confront his own NRL mortality in the wake of his 250th game in the Cowboys’ 44-6 thumping of the Eels.

After Saturday night’s final-round clash against the Titans at Robina, Scott will go under the knife again to ease the pain of a neck injury that first required surgery in 2015.

Off-contract next year, Scott will require a specialist’s clearance to play in 2019, but is keen to provide a senior presence to combat life without the Cowboys’ greatest player.

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Matt Scott hopes to fill a leadership void at the Cowboys. Picture: Zak Simmonds

“I want to put in a good year next year and contribute as much as I can,” said Scott, who turns 34 in July.

“We will have a huge loss in JT so the leadership of the club will be important.

“Personally, I will miss him a lot. JT has been a part of all the football I have played for the Cowboys, Queensland and Australia.

“He is a great friend, loads of fun to be around, he is the life of the club pretty much.

“I can’t explain enough what his departure will do to the club. I know he will still have a role but not having him at training on the field every day, it’s a massive hole to try and fill.

“We will have a young squad, but it’s a talented squad and I’m excited for the future.”

Scott admits the sight of Thurston doing a lap of honour at 1300SMILES Stadium on Friday night rammed home the reality that retirement is also on the horizon for the Cowboys bookend.

Countless NRL stars have been forced into premature retirement by injury – neck problems grounded Origin legends Gorden Tallis and Andrew Johns – but Scott is hoping to go out on his terms.

Johnathan Thurston played his last game in Townsville on Friday. Picture: Zak Simmonds

Asked if Thurston’s farewell made him think about his own future, Scott said: “It certainly does.

“I know I am at the end of my career and seeing what JT is going through and the emotions he has had to deal with, you starting thinking about the end of your time.

“But it’s a part of footy. I’m blessed to have played as much football as I have and have the career I’ve had. I’m very happy and comfortable with what I’ve achieved. It (his neck problem) is manageable.

“I will get surgery, it’s not great, but it’s not career-ending. It’s a problem I’ve had a lot over my career.

“I got some good results from my last surgery so hopefully it will happen again.

“It’s all about finishing off the year strongly and getting my body right for next year.

“When my time comes (to retire), I will embrace it.”

Originally published as Matt Scott to step up in Johnathan Thurston’s absence