Deanth of Matt Scott's mum shattering blow to North Queensland Cowboys

THE North Queensland Cowboys club will have to combat one of the NRL's biggest front row rotations without two of their best props.

ALREADY grief-stricken, the North Queensland Cowboys club will have to combat one of the NRL's biggest front row rotations without two of their best props.

The Cowboys will wear black armbands against the Canberra Raiders in Townsville tonight to pay tribute Dianne Scott, the mother of club captain and Maroons enforcer Matt.

Dianne died tragically late on Thursday night after a long battle with throat cancer. Her passing has left the Cowboys club shattered.

Scott will not line up against the Raiders as he remains with his family in Ilfracombe .

Dianne was a hero to many in the remote central-west town.

When Scott was playing junior footy Dianne would drive the team bus, collecting her son's teammates for return trips to games. Those trips would often take up to eight hours, yet incredibly she would do it week in, week out.

The emotion of Dianne's passing is sure to weigh heavily on the Cowboys as they search for rare back-to-back wins this year."Our thoughts are with Matt at this difficult time," Cowboys coach Neil Henry said.

"He will be staying at home with his family.

"It's very sad news for the club and Matt's family."

Dianne's condition worsened in the lead up to Origin game two, with Scott taking the first few days of camp off to be by her side.

Although Scott will also join next week's Maroons camp late, Henry said he would likely play the decider at Suncorp Stadium.

"It's too early to say if he will miss Origin. I imagine he won't though," he said.

The loss of Scott from the side is compounded by the suspension of fellow Cowboys prop Ashton Sims for one week on a high tackle charge.

The Cowboys will play one prop short with veteran backrower Glenn Hall expected to fill Scott's place while Cory Patterson or Joel Riethmuller will take the final bench spot.

in comparison, the Raiders have one of the game's best front row rotations.

Their starting props are Origin players in Dave Shillington (114kg) and Tom Learoyd-Lahrs (110kg) while the game's tallest player in Dane Tilse (113kg, 200cm) comes off their bench.

Where as the Cowboys have one genuine giant in James Tamou at 113kg, but bench prop Ricky Thorby is just 101kg and Hall is just 100kg.

"It's a tough time. Ashton is out as well so we are missing a couple of front rowers," Henry said. "The Raiders have a big pack of forwards with Shillington and Tilse.

"We need to build on our strong game against the Brisbane Broncos last week and because of the congested table, each win is vital."

The Raiders will have to deal with their own late omission with key second rower Bronson Harrison ruled out at training yesterday with a hamstring tear.

Trevor Thurling or rookie Mark Nicholls will replace him.

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