Cowboys hoping to stave off Knights’ bid for Matt Scott

WITH a lucrative bid from Newcastle in the offing, the Cowboys insist they will do “everything we can” to keep Matt Scott in North Queensland colours.

THE Cowboys insist they will do “everything we can” to keep Matt Scott in North Queensland colours.

Newcastle is preparing to make Scott a lucrative offer to leave the only NRL club he has ever known. The 31-year-old is off-contract at season’s end along with fellow Cowboys stars Jason Taumalolo and Johnathan Thurston.

Scott has played 231 NRL games for the Cowboys since making his debut in 2004 and was part of the club’s historic premiership side in 2015.

He is co-captain of the club alongside Thurston and is one of North Queensland’s favourite sons.

COWS NEED SCOTT MORE THAN EVER

Scott was all smiles at Cowboys training. Picture: Evan Morgan

Scott is reaching the twilight of his career, having battled neck and back injuries in recent years which will come into consideration in contract negotiations.

The rebuilding Knights poached teenage sensation Kalyn Ponga from North Queensland on a rich long-term deal and could be prepared to make Scott a lengthy offer to prise him away.

The impending retirement of Scott’s manager Wayne Beavis could protract discussions, but coach Paul Green said keeping his front row stalwart in Townsville was a priority.

“We’re in constant dialogue with him,” Green said. “I’ve said from the start we’ll do everything we can to keep him.

“We’ve got a lot of guys off-contract this year and a lot of big name guys as well. We’ll keep all that in balance. He’s been a huge part of this club for a long time so we don’t want to see a guy like him go.”

Green named a red-hot squad for this weekend’s Auckland Nines, which will see Thurston make his first appearance at the tournament. Forward Ethan Lowe will make his return from a neck injury suffered late last season.

“He’s recovered really well. He’s definitely ahead of where we thought he would be,” Green said. “Until he gets that first tackle out of the way there probably will be a little bit (of trepidation).

“I haven’t seen any hesitation in the contact work we’ve done here. He’s been involved in full contact and got through it really well.”

The Cowboys don’t want to lose one of their favourites. Picture: Evan Morgan

The Cowboys won the inaugural Nines in 2014 and will unleash a star-studded line-up including premiership heroes Gavin Cooper, Michael Morgan, Justin O’Neill and Taumalolo. They were installed as joint $5 favourites with the Broncos to win the Nines after announcing their squad.

“It’s about getting the balance right to get ready for round one,” Green said. “We’ve got a good balance between experienced guys and also young guys.

“I’m really excited to see what guys like Shaun Hudson and Shane Wright can do. Gideon (Gela-Mosby) played last year, Kalyn will be playing as well.”

Cowboys: John Asiata, Javid Bowen, Gavin Cooper (c), Kyle Feldt, Gideon Gela-Mosby, Jake Granville, Ben Hampton, Coen Hess, Shaun Hudson, Corey Jensen, Kane Linnett, Ethan Lowe, Michael Morgan, Justin O’Neill, Kalyn Ponga, Jason Taumalolo, Johnathan Thurston, Shane Wright. Coach: Paul Green.