North Queensland will retire Matt Scott’s No.8 jersey for Thursday night’s NRL clash with Canterbury as the former Test prop recovers from a stroke.
Cowboys coach Paul Green said they did not expect Scott to attend their season’s final home game but believed the club had come up with a fitting tribute for the retiring forward.
“Out of respect for the contribution Matt Scott has made to the club over the years and given it is our last ever game here at 1300SMILES Stadium… we have retired the No.8 jersey that Matt has made famous over the years just for this game,” Green said.
“Given the situation he is in at the moment, ideally we would like to see him out there playing, but that can’t happen so we were just trying to think of a way to show the respect for the contribution he has made over the years.”
Scott is still recovering after suffering a mild stroke last week.
The 34-year-old had already announced that he would draw the curtain on his 268-game, 15-year NRL career – all spent at the Cowboys – at season’s end.
Asked if Scott was attending the game, Green said: “We are taking it day by day.
“It would be nice if he was. What will be, will be.”
The Thursday clash was always going to be an emotional night for the club.
It marks their final game at their home venue before relocating to their new 25,000-capacity, $250 million North Queensland Stadium next year.
Green believed the clash loomed as a highlight of an otherwise disappointing season for North Queensland, who are third last on the ladder.
“The players have to realise it is a privilege to play in a game like this,” Green said.
“Despite the season we have had, it will be a highlight.
“It will be one they look back on when they retire so you want to make sure those memories are fond ones, give your best effort.”
It will also be the final home clash for Cowboys forward Scott Bolton, who announced on Tuesday that he would retire at season’s end.
Bolton – a veteran of 244 games over 13 seasons – will start in the No.16 jersey on Thursday night, the same number he wore in North Queensland’s 2015 premiership win.
“He’s been a wonderful contributor, one of only nine (Cowboys) life members, played 244 games, two grand finals – and he will always be a premiership player,” Green said.
“The legacy the club has left so far is down to guys like him.”