Scott on stand-by only for final: Green

Matt Scott will only play in North Queensland’s NRL grand final against Melbourne on Sunday if there’s an unexpected injury, Cowboys coach Paul Green has confirmed.

Scott is set to be named in the Cowboys’ 21-man squad on Tuesday, but Green says he will only return from a knee injury if one of their forward pack goes down injured this week.

“As long as nothing happens injury-wise throughout the week, the same 17 will play on Sunday,” Green said.

“If that’s not the case, if we were to have something go against us, as a forward option Matt would come into the frame there.

“But they’re the guys that got us there, so they deserve to get the job done for us on the weekend.”

Scott was a shock inclusion in the Cowboys’ squad for their preliminary final win over the Sydney Roosters, sparking suggestions he could make an on-field return in the decider.

His return would be a significant boost for the Cowboys, given his experience as a Queensland State of Origin and Kangaroos Test front-rower.

But Green made a point to the media on Monday afternoon to tell them that unlike last week, he was almost certain his entire pack would be fit to play.

A decision, he said, Scott was happy with.

“He’s fine,” Green said.

“He’s happy to help wherever he can. That’s what both our captains (along with Johnathan Thurston) have been doing. They’ve been trying to help wherever they can.”

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