Matt Scott

Western Queensland junior Matt Scott joined the North Queensland Cowboys after finishing his school at St Brendan's, Yeppoon, and made his State of Origin debut in 2006, the year he cemented his position as a NRL player.

Born at Longreach, Scott grew up at tiny Ilfracombe, often travelling long distances to play his junior football for Ilfracombe against the Longreach Tigers and Gemfield Giants. He made his NRL debut in 2004, aged 18, but suffered medial ligament damage early in the match.

The following year, he played front row for the Cowboys Queensland Cup affiliate, North Queensland Young Guns, in the grand final at Suncorp Stadium. The Young Guns, with another future Origin star, Gavin Cooper in the centres, defeated Burleigh Bears 36-6.

Scott was in the NRL squad from Round 1, 2006, and his form was such he was chosen for Game I of the Origin series. He lost his spot after the Maroons' 17-16 loss, and had to wait until 2009 for another chance.

As a team mate, I was always in awe of Thumper’s toughness. The way he played, he epitomised the Queensland way.

Darren Lockyer FOG #104

This time he was ready, and he became an integral part of the Maroons' pack, playing a total of 22 games and subsequently being part of seven series wins.

Scott made his Test debut in 2010, after having played for the Prime Minister's XIII the previous year. He went on to play 22 times for his country, and was part of the 2013 World Cup triumph.

Scott was named co-captain of the Cowboys in 2013, sharing the role with fellow Maroons' legend, Johnathan Thurston. The pair led the Cowboys to their inaugural NRL premiership, with a 17-16 victory over the Brisbane Broncos in the 2015 grand final. 

Scott, nicknamed 'Thumper', retired at the end of the 2019 season, with 268 NRL games to his credit, and a reputation as the best prop of the previous decade.

Thumper suffered a mild stroke after the Round 22 match against Newcastle on August 17, 2019 and that proved to be his final game. But he had planned to retire at the end of the 2019 season anyway. His longevity as a player is a tribute to his courage, commitment and self-belief, given the number of setbacks he endured, ranging from potentially career ending neck and shoulder issues, to serious leg injuries.

In retirement, he has been involved in the construction industry and working for the Cowboys, mentoring the club's leaders.

The Matt Scott Shield is an annual junior league carnival at Longreach.