North Queensland Cowboys fear delays over salary cap negotiations could cost club Matt Scott

NORTH Queensland officials admit they are increasingly concerned delays in finalising the salary cap could rob them of star prop Matt Scott.

NORTH Queensland officials admit they are increasingly concerned delays in finalising a $5.85 million salary cap could rob them of star prop Matt Scott.

As revealed by The Courier-Mail yesterday, the Maroons and Test frontrower is being heavily chased by Souths and Ricky Stuart's Parramatta on a deal likely to command about $600,000 a season.

Target: Eels and Rabbitohs chasing great Scott

The Cowboys remain confident of keeping Scott. But with the mooted salary cap increase from $4.4 million yet to be officially ratified, the uncertainty is heightening concerns the club may lose the talented big man.

North Queensland is under an increasingly tight salary cap given the upgraded deals recently handed to Test bookend James Tamou and boom youngster Jason Taumalolo.

Captain and Kangaroos No.6 Johnathan Thurston is also off-contract at the end of the season and, pending a cap rise, will break the $1 million a year barrier in his next deal.

The Cowboys spoke with league officials recently to clarify the position of the latest Collective Bargaining Agreement, which the NRL confirmed is still pending final approval from the Rugby League Players' Association following last month's negotiations breakthrough.

While it's understood a $5.85 million cap is likely to be in place before the season starts, North Queensland football manager Peter Parr said the lack of certainty may aid poaching raids of cashed-up rivals.

"The financial component is the most important part of any deal,'' Parr said. "There is a lot of talk about the salary cap going up but it (talks with Scott) could be a bit dependent on where the salary cap goes.

"We have got the two best front-rowers in the game and the best five-eighth in the game and it just worked out that they all came off contract at the same time.

"It (not signing off on a cap rise) makes it difficult (to negotiate) unless you take a punt on that's where it will go to.

"Some clubs may be able to gamble a little bit, and you could expect it (the salary cap) will be going up, but we are a conservative club so contract deals at this stage could be a risk.''

Scott's manager Wayne Beavis did not return calls yesterday and it's unlikely a final decision on the prop's playing future will be made before round one.

Former rugby league journeyman Gary Freeman defended Scott's window shopping, insisting the growing trend of browsing for the biggest payday is just good business.

"How many times have you seen a bloke who is supposed to be around for the next decade disappear shortly after with injury?'' Freeman said. "Players have to get the best deals they can while they can.''