Queensland coach Kevin Walters has thrown his support behind “once in a generation” forward Matt Scott after it was revealed the NRL veteran had suffered a mild stroke.
Scott, 34, is recovering in a Brisbane hospital after missing North Queensland’s connecting flight following their last round loss in Newcastle when he fell ill.
The Cowboys said Scott had suffered the stroke on Sunday but doctors are confident he will make a full recovery and that the incident wasn’t football-related.
A return date to Townsville remains unknown.
Scott had announced he would retire at season’s end but is not expected to play again with just three regular season rounds left for North Queensland, who are out of finals contention.
Not that Walters believed Scott would be worried about missing another game at the moment.
“I think football will be the furthest thing from Matt Scott’s mind at the moment,” he told Fox Sports’ NRL Tonight.
“I wish nothing but the best for the whole Scott family.
“And I wish him a speed recovery and happy life post-football.”
Scott has played 268 NRL games over 16 seasons, sharing the captaincy with Johnathan Thurston when the Cowboys won their historic maiden 2015 NRL title.
Scott’s glittering resume also features 22 State of Origin games for Queensland and 22 Tests for Australia.
“What a warrior he has been for the Cowboys, for Queensland and Australia,” Walters said.
“Through that dominant period for the Maroons (winning eight straight series) he was the forwards’ leader in many ways.
“I haven’t coached a tougher, more physical person. He was all about the team, and about getting the best out of his body.
“He is a once in a generation player.”
News of Scott’s condition sent shockwaves through the NRL but none were hardest hit than the Cowboys.
“It’s upsetting news, to be honest, and I think everyone’s just processing it at the moment,” Cowboys coach Paul Green said.
The North Queensland mentor gave some insight into how Scott’s medical drama unfolded on Sunday as they flew home from their 42-6 thrashing from the Knights.
“It started Sunday morning and then by the time we arrived in Brisbane, he was pretty crook, so we decided to send him to hospital on our stopover from Brisbane,” he said.
“We knew he was pretty crook coming off the flight, but for it to be what it is, it is quite surprising.
“I think everyone’s a little bit taken aback by what’s actually happened.”