While much of the post-match attention was directed at his co-captain Johnathan Thurston, North Queensland prop Matt Scott has declared he will be fit to play State of Origin after making his return against St George Illawarra on Friday night.

The boom front rower passed a fitness test on match day to return from a foot injury that has kept him on the sidelines for six weeks, but was withdrawn after an hour of play against the Dragons because he was limping heavily.

The Queensland Origin star produced 13 tackles, two tackle breaks and made three offloads while running an impressive 114 metres in his 31 minutes on the field in the 30-6 win for the Cowboys.

He admitted he was feeling the pain after the match, but doesn’t believe it will hamper his ability to play for Queensland in the upcoming Origin series.

“There’s a bit of pain there which is to be expected but I was pretty happy with how it came through,” Scott said.

“It was a bit sore in the second half, I just rolled over on it a little bit and I think from talking to some guys with similar injuries it’s going to be sore for a while.”

Queensland have a surplus of front row talent vying for Queensland jerseys this year and Scott said the desperation to be included in Mal Meninga’s squad was not a factor in his return.

“I wasn’t really thinking about the timing, I knew that it would come around pretty quick,” he said.

“The way the injury went I felt like I could come back this weekend.

“It was more about how the foot felt, not what round it was.”

Scott’s injury concern became a sideshow after a late elbow to the head of five-eighth Thurston by Dragons backrower Matt Prior, the first player to be sent off this season.

The ugly hit left the star playmaker sprawled on the Dairy Farmers Stadium turf, but the Cowboys are confident Thurston will require no further treatment.

“The doc doesn’t think he needs a scan, his jaw’s fine and his neck’s okay,” said coach Neil Henry.

Queensland selector Des Morris would have watched on in horror as the Cowboys captains sat on the bench injured, but he may have found a replacement for injured winger Jharal Yow Yeh, with Brent Tate putting in a polished performance for North Queensland.

Scott backed his Cowboys teammate for a return to the representative arena.

“He’s just that kind of player that never lets anyone down and that’s what you need in Origin,” Scott said.

“Obviously I don’t know which way the selectors are going to go but he certainly didn’t do his chances any harm tonight.”