North Queensland skipper Matt Scott claims the Cowboys’ red-hot run to the NRL finals has proved their Sydney-phobic tendencies are a thing of the past.

Scott is expected to line up in the front-row for his side against Cronulla on Saturday despite undergoing surgery just 10 days ago on a broken finger that required a titanium plate and six screws to fuse the bone together.

His presence will be a massive boost for Neil Henry’s side who have already beaten the Sharks twice this season – including a 31-18 win at Remondis Stadium just two weeks ago.

It was one of three victories in five visits to Sydney this year which represents a remarkable turnaround for a team that has an appalling record in the NSW capital since 2006.

Prior to this season the Cowboys had returned to Townsville empty handed on 31 of their previous 38 trips to the Harbour City.

That victory over the Sharks on September 1 came hot on the heels of a 36-4 pounding of Penrith three weeks earlier at Centrebet Stadium.

Scott admits that woeful record in Sydney has undermined the Cowboys’ attempts of winning a first premiership – but said confidence is soaring on the back of six successive wins.

“It helps to get those wins before the finals for sure,” Scott told AAP.

“We’ve struggled to win down there in Sydney in the past but we’ve played a lot better this year.

“Two of those wins have come in this run we’re on and that has of course help us build the momentum.

“We’re down the day before the game which seems to have worked for us this year.

“But I think the most important thing for us going into this game is that our players in key positions are playing well.”

Scott’s Queensland and Test teammate Johnathan Thurston said he expects the prop’s injured digit to be targeted by the Sharks.

“No doubt they will, that’s just a part of football if you have an injury then players will target it,” Thurston said.

“They have a few boys down there who like a little bit of niggle and whenever Thumper (Scott) goes out there he always has a target on his head.”

The Cowboys’ recent win over Cronulla came when Carney was injured and Thurston warned the returning playmaker his injured hamstring will be tested by the visitors.

“Whether he’s at 100 per cent remains to be seen,” he said.

“He’s a big factor as to why they finished so high on the ladder.

“We played them a few weeks ago and he wasn’t there and they really lacked in the ends of sets without him.

“We need to put a pressure on him as he has a lethal kicking game.”

The Cowboys’ season has ended at Allianz Stadium in the last two years at the hands of Manly but Thurston vowed their season will not end on Saturday.

“We’re not here to make up the numbers for sure and we’re going down with the mindset that we are going to win,” he said.

“It’s always tough against the Sharkies and we it’s finals footy, but hopefully we’ll get the job done.”