Cowboys must get real before Eels
ANTONY STEWART
April 20th, 2010
MATT Scott yesterday demanded the Cowboys face up to the harsh truths and ruthlessly criticise each other if they are to be any chance of bouncing back against Parramatta on Friday.
While not wanting to begin a blame game, the representative prop said it was essential the realities of Saturday's embarrassing 36-18 loss to Newcastle hit home hard.
North Queensland's players assembled at club headquarters yesterday to pore through the horror footage, which saw them out of the contest by halftime - trailing 30-6.
Scott, one of the few players who could walk away from the game with his head held high, said an open and honest video review session was the only way to move forward.
''We have to tell a few truths, be ruthless in video sessions with our own feedback within the team,'' Scott said.
''I think players have got to put their hands up and be able to criticise each other. We need to work out where we have let ourselves down and I suppose that is the easiest way to fix something.''
No Cowboy would be under the illusion that what happened on Saturday was acceptable.
Coach Neil Henry immediately declared the first-half defence the poorest he had seen in his time at the Cowboys. He also said if he could ''dock'' some players' pay packets for the game, he would.
But as stinging as that was, Scott said nothing hit harder than being critiqued by men they go to war with.
''The strongest messages are the messages that come from your teammates,'' he said.
''The coaches can look through all the video and point out what you've done wrong, but if you're getting told by the bloke next to you that you need to work on something then that is always going to come through the strongest.''
After leading the game in metres made with 171 and racking up 19 tackles, Scott is one of the few players feeling comfortable ahead of today's team announcement.
He conceded he was bracing to play alongside a few new faces.
''I don't think you can really expect the team to stay the same after a performance like that,'' Scott said.
It was hardly the type of result Scott would have hoped for in his debut as captain, taking the reigns in the absence of Johnathan Thurston (shoulder), Aaron Payne (ankle) and Luke O'Donnell (suspended). But he said it was a major honour and there was little doubt Henry would give him a shot at earning a win with the C next to his name. Scott was adamant North Queensland could bounce back against the Eels.
''It's just got to be a team performance, all 17 have got to step up a gear and get the job done,'' he said.
