Northern Pride would welcome ex-Cowboy Bolton

Scott Bolton would be welcomed to Barlow Park with open arms if the former Cowboys legend chose to run around for one more season in his home region.

Scott Bolton at 1300 Smiles Stadium. Picture: Alix Sweeney

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Scott Bolton would be welcomed to Barlow Park with open arms if the former Cowboys legend chose to run around for one more season in his home region.

Bolton played his last game for the Cowboys this year, closing the book on a 246-game, 13-season career at the Townsville club, with whom he won a premiership in 2015.

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His rugby league future has been up for discussion since then, though there’s no hints on where the Innisfail junior may land in 2020 – if he plays rugby league at all.

Northern Pride football operations manager Chey Bird told the Cairns Post the club was involved in initial discussions with the prop, but they were no closer to securing the 32-year-old forward.

“If a player of his calibre and experience makes himself available you definitely listen,” Bird said.

“We had some initial discussions but nothing progressed further. If he wants to play again and come to his home region, we’d certainly see what we can do to bring him here.”

Blackhawks coach Aaron Payne said there was a place in his team ready to be filled should Bolton choose to stay in Townsville.

“Scott Bolton knows there is a contract for him when he has finished pig hunting and fishing in his off-season,” Payne said.

“A lot will depend on his work situation as to whether he goes around for another year.

“We aren’t concerned about him being late for pre-season.

“That is one thing about Bolts, he has always kept himself in good physical shape over his career.”

The Blackhawks swooped on former Pride co-captain Tom Hancock, who moved to Townsville due to work, and Payne said the club was still actively looking for more players.

Northern Pride has put together a strong squad as they strive for a vast improvement on this year’s historically poor season. The Pride finished 12th, winning just five games in what was the least successful season in club history.

Originally published as Northern Pride would welcome ex-Cowboy Bolton