Matt Scott to retire at the end of the season

North Queensland Cowboys great Matt Scott has announced he will retire from rugby league at the end of the 2019 NRL season.

The 33-year-old prop has spent his entire career with the Cowboys, playing 263 games across 16 seasons since making his first-grade debut as an 18-year-old back in 2004.

Scott sits behind only Johnathan Thurston (294) and Matty Bowen (270) in all-time appearances for the Cowboys.

He won the 2015 NRL Grand Final and the 2006 World Club Challenge. Scott earned 22 caps for Australia and appeared 22 times for Queensland at Origin level.

Scott said: “I am still extremely passionate about this club and the game of rugby league, but 16 years of NRL has taken its toll on my body and it’s time to stop.