What do Canberra Raiders do with ailing centre Curtis Scott?
Raiders recruit Curtis Scott was supposed to be a stable, reliable alternative to Joey Leilua, but the former Storm flyer has been anything but this season.
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Dumped Raiders recruit Curtis Scott can draw inspiration from one of his star teammates as he attempts to fight his way back to the NRL with Canberra.
While Canberra’s off-season buy has been left out the side in favour of a journeyman winger for the second week in a row, Fox League expert Greg Alexander says Ricky Stuart’s strong track record of getting the best out of mercurial players means his time in the rugby league wilderness won’t be for long.
Scott’s predecessor Joey Leilua and gun five-eighth Jack Wighton are two examples of players who endured rough patches in their younger days and came through as better footballers on the other side.
Alexander believes Scott can draw strength and belief from his teammates.
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“That team environment, if you’re surrounded by confident players and players who are willing to help you it makes it easier,” Alexander said.
“Sometimes the trust you put in your teammates rubs off, and you can find some form, and some confidence, through your teammates.
“Curtis Scott was a key signing for the Raiders, and he was replacing a pretty damaging ballrunner, and a creator of opportunities.
“He might be a different type of player, but Ricky has had the experience of managing careers and getting them playing their best footy.”
Touted as a possible Origin bolter during his Melbourne days and a more stable, consistent replacement for the departed Leilua in Canberra, Scott has endured a wretched run in recent weeks culminating in his demotion – first to the bench and now out of the Raiders team completely in favour of Michael Oldfield.
Scott’s defence has been heavily targeted by other teams, and after a solid opening three matches with his new club his troubles began when he was dominated by Newcastle’s Bradman Best in the Knights 34-18 victory over the Raiders in Round 4.
Since then, things have spiralled to alarming depths. According to Fox Sports Stats, Scott has seven try causes for the season – given Canberra have conceded just 19 tries overall it’s a frightening statistic for a team who built their success on the back of their defence.
Scott’s attacking skills have also deserted him – he’s got one try and one line break in eight games as a Raider.
With no reserve grade competition to provide the easy kills that could rebuild Scott’s confidence, the Raiders recruit now finds himself in limbo as the Green Machine gear up for a blockbuster Saturday night clash with Scott’s former club.
“Curtis Scott is a good footballer, and you don’t overnight turn into someone who can’t play,” Greg Alexander said. “I think Curtis has just made the odd error or two at crucial parts of the game and it’s hard not to hang your head. It’s hard not to drop your head.
“You feel responsible as a player, because you think you’re letting your teammates down.
“That’s what makes it hard sometimes. It’s all about him being confident in what his role is at Canberra, and getting some strength off his teammates – it’s almost click your fingers type stuff, going from that bloke who’s been put out of the side to going back to how we know Curtis can play and getting it right again.
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“There’s very little in it. I would expect that if he trains well he’ll get the opportunity again.
“It’s a challenging year because there’s no football for those players who don’t make the 17, but Curtis will be back at some stage.”
The Raiders fringe players did have a scrimmage against the Dragons last week, but Scott did not play given he was named to come off the bench for the NRL side.
With next weekend’s grand final rematch against the Roosters looming, Scott may have to cool his heels for at least one more week.
It’s another spanner in the works for the Raiders, who are dealing with a serious injury crisis to their forwards as they attempt to go one better than 2019.