Fatherhood has provided a welcome distraction for “beaten up” North Queensland playmaker Johnathan Thurston.

But Cowboys coach Paul Green has had no such luxury and admits he is concerned by the precedent set by Newcastle’s manhandling of his prized halfback.

However, he was confident the Cowboys would stand up for Thurston if a team ever tried the Knights’ tactics again – starting with Friday night’s NRL derby clash in Brisbane.

Scott escaped penalty with an early plea for a grade one dangerous contact charge after his controversial lifting tackle on Thurston in last weekend’s win over North Queensland.

In another incident, Scott hit Thurston without the ball in what Immortal Andrew Johns described as a “cheap shot”.

Scott and forward partner Jeremy Smith’s apparent targeting of the Cowboys No.7 left North Queensland fuming.

Green said Thurston had been left with a “shiner” on his left eye but his mind was on other things after welcoming the birth of his second child on Monday.

“He’s good, a little bit beaten up,” Green said.

“But he’s had a couple of days off with (fiancee) Sam having a baby – I am sure that got his mind off things.

“Knowing him like I do he takes losses pretty hard… but that distraction will be good for him.”

But Green has not stopped dwelling on the Knights players escaping suspension and the signal he believed it sent to rivals.

Asked if he felt teams would again physically target Thurston due to the judiciary’s response to last weekend’s game, Green said: “That’s a concern for us.

“But I would be surprised if it happened the same way again this year.”

Broncos backrower Corey Parker on Tuesday reportedly warned Thurston to expect more rough treatment, describing the three-time Dally M Medallist as a “marked man”.

Green believed teammates would “protect” their halfback in the future.

“It is about standing up for each other, looking after each other,” he said.

“You are a team. It is important that everyone helps each other out.”