If I asked you to pick the form forward after six rounds of the 2014 NRL season, who would you choose?
It has been a tumultuous period for many of the game’s big name forwards, such as Paul Gallen, Sonny Bill-Williams, Andrew Fifita and the Burgess brothers. Instead, I’d like to turn your attention to ex-NSW and current Newcastle Knights enforcer Beau Scott.
Scott, hailing from Camden in New South Wales, is playing some of the best football in his ten-year career. After another brilliant performance by the Camden hard-man, this time away from home against the Canberra Raiders, Knights head coach Wayne Bennett hailed Scott.
“He (Beau) is the form player in the comp, in terms of forwards,” Bennett said in the post match press conference.
“He has been outstanding every game. I think he has won four players’ player this season.”
And while the Knights have been through a tough start to the campaign, with the tragedy of the Alex McKinnon incident and losing key players in Jarrod Mullen and Darius Boyd for an early period, Scott has done his best to lift the team. These players’ player awards are a reflection on Scott’s efforts.
Against the Raiders he delivered a sublime inside offload to Dane Gagai, which resulted in a try. It was one of three offloads he managed during the game, as well as scoring a try himself. His impressive stat-line featured three off-loads (including the try-assist), a line break, a line break assist, a tackle break and 24 tackles playing on the edge.
These statistics however are not an anomaly for Scott this season. In a team lying in 13th on the NRL ladder, he has racked up 12 quality offloads, broken 14 tackles and broken the line four times.
Impressive statistics for a player whose game is renowned for it’s gritty defence, solid contact and that never-say-die attitude rather than attacking prowess. This new weapon, a deadly offload, will serve to further his claim for a New South Wales jersey in 2014.
In last year’s finals series, Scott’s more renowned parts of his game came to the front. Newcastle had just knocked Melbourne out of the finals, and as I sat in the Melbourne stands, among the sheer joy and somewhat disbelief at the improbable yet memorable victory, I analysed what I had just saw.
Scott had gone head-to-head with (then) current New South Wales second rower Ryan Hoffman. Scott, a 2012 Blues team member had, in my eyes, outplayed, out-classed and had shut down the usually damaging Hoffman, as well as playing an integral part in the victory.
This effort on his opposition second rower was repeated when Newcastle lost in Melbourne early this season. Scott still had Hoffman’s number; in skill, as well as a physical and mental edge. Perhaps even more so than in the finals.
Scott’s well-respected attitude is observed countless times as he takes control in the Newcastle huddle, firing the team up and embracing an unofficial leadership role. This never-say-die attitude was exemplified after Scott suffered a first half cork against the Raiders. True to his form and as Bennett said: “he guts it right out in the second half.”
Guts. A perfect word to describe the red and blue enforcer and a word synonymous with State of Origin. While New South Wales are certainly not lacking in this department, every ounce will be needed if they are to win this series, especially with two games in Queensland. Scott never backs down and his game has only improved since his last stint in a New South Wales jersey.
More so, Scott’s attitude epitomises what Origin is all about. As the expression goes, he is as tough as nails. The aforementioned aspects of his game and his dominance over the current Blues number 12 is why I believe you should and will see Beau Scott wearing the Blues Jersey in 2014.
Pete75
Guest
Have you ever watched rugby league Brett?
Zachary Gates
Guest
My NSW team would be this: 1. Josh Dugan 2. Brett Morris 3. Michael Jennings 4. Josh Morris 5. Jarryd Hayne 6. Josh Reynolds 7. Todd Carney 8. Paul Gallen 9. Robbie Farah 10. Trent Merrin 11. Anthony Watmough 12. Beau Scott 13. Greg Bird 14. Shaun Fensom 15. Andrew Fifita 16. Aidan Tolman 17. Jamal Idris Thoughts?
Brett the manly fan
Guest
You need Jennings in there but other than that great line up
Brett the manly fan
Guest
If brett Stewart is chosen our chances of winning go from 3% to 89%
Brett the manly fan
Guest
Woods is useless
Chris
Guest
If you wanted Gidley for experience why not Anasta as he was the last 5/8 to win a series but no one talks bout him so get over him he is useless
Chris
Guest
Gidley is to old just like Stewart. No captain should start on the bench and has done nothing for the past few years. NSW doesn't need a utility run 4 second rowers on the bench would b smarter. If you have this team Hayne Morris Morris Idris Dugan Reynolds Reynolds Tolman Peats Fifita Bird Fensom Gal Jackson Cordner Watmough Scott With that team utility isn't required as between Hayne Bird Cordner Morris's and Dugan with Gal up front you have ever position covered if someone goes down
ghghgh
Roar Rookie
Scott is the same age or one year younger than NSW players Watmough and stewart, And by your carmont comment Im guessing this is Matt haha
Trenno
Guest
Qld by 30.
langerthebronco
Guest
Why do people pick Jennings? Is he the best(running, defence, wingers centre) Centre for Origin. He is only selected because of his speed (running) not so much of the other two. In 7 orogins he partnered B Morris, Brett Morris has scored only one try ( thanks to faras kick). Compare that to when Morris partnered another centre for Australia( 21 tries from 18 games). When Jennings partnered Hayne(wing) on 3 games for NSW, Hayne scored 1 try. Compare that to Boyd outside Inglis or even better(since Inglis is super star) take Yow Yeah outside Hodgo. Id say NSW best back should be 1:BRETT STEWART 2:BRETT MORRIS 3:JARYD HAYNE (world cup combo with Moz) 4:JOSH MORRIS 5:JOSH DUGAN (B Fergguson would have been my first choise had it not for his off field troubles)
Doug Graves
Guest
"8. Willie Mason" Stopped reading there If Mason gets the call up it's an automatic 9 straight for QLD. There is no reason for Mason to be picked, none whatsoever.
Trenno
Guest
Gidley covers the entire back line & halves, hooker & I would use him late in the game floating in the forwards in conjunction with Farah to really up the ante. These games are often won in last ten minutes and if NSW can pick up the pace at that time it will at least match QLD as they will be doing the same with DCE & Smith. Fensom is good and if Gallen doesn't make the team it will be between Glen Stewart & Fensom. I can't justify having him in over any of the 17 I have selected though. Not yet. He needs to bring more in attack & then he could be a superstar. Morris is the unlucky one, it was the hardest to pick between him and Jennings but against Hodges, Jennings just gets the nod.
Chris
Guest
Jennings over Morris???? And you are stupid if you want Gidley would rather my 2 year old play. Fensom??????
Chris
Guest
Everyone has forgotten Tolman. Plus NSW doesn't need a front rower on the bench it a waste of a spot when Gal is in the team. My pack would be Tolman, Peats (if no Farah), Fifita, Bird, Fensom, Gal and have Cordner Watmough and Jackson on the bench
Trenno
Guest
this is what I think is NSW & QLD's best teams barring injury/suspension including those that are injured now (ie Gallen, Farah ect.) 1. Dugan...................1. Slater 2. Taufua..................2. Boyd 3. Jennings...............3. Inglis 4. Hayne...................4. Hodges 5. B.Morris................5. Tate 6. Reynolds..............6. Thurston 7. Mullen...................7. Cronk 8. Woods..................8. Scott 9. Farah....................9. Smith (c) 10. Fifita....................10. Myles 11. Lewis..................11. McQueen 12. Bird......................12. Thaiday 13. Gallen(c)..............13. Parker 14. Tamou..................14. Cherry-Evans 15. Watnough.............15. G.Cooper 16. Cordner................16. Gillett 17. Gidley...................17. Papalli I don't think the squads will change too much from last year, just a couple of tweeks here and there. Woods and Fifita will be the starting props, Aaron is in form and Origin will bring out the best in Fifita & Tamou. Laurie will probably pick Pearce & Maloney but he needs to draw a line in the sand, none of the QLD halves have any reservations about playing against Pearce or Maloney, but in Reynolds & Mullen he has players built for origin. As a Queenslander myself I would be extemely nervous if Laurie picked the team i have put up, to me it would set up some awesome one on one clashes in the backs: Slater v Dugan, Taufau v Tate , Hayne v Inglis, Hodges v Jennings, Morris v Boyd let alone the the battles in the forwards that I couldn't be confident of who would win. But I doubt he will and QLD will roll on towards immortality.
Jack Johnson
Roar Rookie
Mate are you off your head. Scott is a grandad his grandson is mitchell pearce he's that old. micthell pearce is an example of why women should should play in separate teams to men. even in things such as mixed netball. On that note how good are the warriors going at the moment, how have you not mentioned konrad hurrel for a sport on the blues side, he is a try scoring machine. Ben rogers for the knights would be better than scott. not to mention carmont imagine him on the wing nsw would never lose.* happy easter *except for every game
Sir Jamie Lyon
Guest
Zero to none
soapit
Guest
how does his coach being a qlder fit in with your conspiracy theory?
Turnover
Roar Guru
I was so keen for this article to be on Beau Ryan
Turnover
Roar Guru
I was so keen for this article to be on Beau Ryan