Having played alongside both of them, North Queensland second-rower and Kiwi international Jason Taumalolo is perfectly placed to judge.
But as far as he’s concerned, if he had to choose between Cowboys teammate Matt Scott and Melbourne Storm prop Jesse Bromwich, it’s a no contest.
“From my point of view, Matty Scott,” Taumalolo told AAP when asked who he thinks will win the battle of the brutes in Saturday’s NRL grand final qualifier at AAMI Park.
“He may not be the biggest front-rower in the comp but he’s definitely the best.
“He’s more experienced, he’s been around, he knows what he’s doing.
“Jesse’s young, a great football player and a great person off the field. He’s just a big body, really hard to handle in the middle.
“On Saturday it’ll be quite a battle. I’m hoping Thumper comes on top with Jimmy Tamou and me following his lead.”
Rugby league luminaries have been lining up to hail Scott after his inspirational performance against Cronulla in North Queensland’s blowout semi-final win last week.
The Queensland Origin veteran was a man possessed, particularly in the opening 20 minutes, as he almost single-handedly set the tone for the evening with a series of crushing runs that blew the Sharks off the park.
“That was probably the most dominant performance I’ve seen from a front-rower,” Taumalolo said.
It did little to solve the debate over whether Scott or New Zealand Test powerhouse Bromwich holds the mantle as rugby league’s best prop.
Bromwich was equally as decisive for Melbourne in their qualifying final win over the Roosters and runs, on average, 20m more per game.
The proof will ultimately be in the pudding, but fair warning to the 26-year-old from Auckland – Scott’s teammates are still in awe.
“To see Matty Scott run the way he does, everyone else grows another leg,” Cowboy Gavin Cooper told Sky Radio.
“Everyone jumps on his back and the rest is history.
“The boys really took it upon themselves to really knuckle down.
“We’ve been embarrassed a couple of times in the last month of footy up the middle and that’s definitely one of our strengths.”
