Matt Scott has been regarded as one of the toughest players in rugby league since first breaking into the NRL in 2004 and his final season only enhanced that reputation.

‘Thumper’ suffered a shoulder injury in Round 11 which would have ended the season of most players in the NRL, but Scott opted against surgery and returned to the field less than two months later.

Tragically, Scott wasn’t able to finish his on his own terms. The 34-year-old suffered a mild stroke in August, which ended his career three weeks before he was due to officially hang up the boots.

Scott produced a number of stellar performances in his farewell season, but his effort in Round 10 against Parramatta stands out as his finest.

The Cowboys legend scored a try and had another denied by the video referee while also breaking seven tackles and registering four offloads in 40 minutes.

Scott finished his career as the third most-capped player in club history, with his 268 games trailing only fellow Cowboys life members Johnathan Thurston and Matt Bowen.

2019 stats

Games: 17

Tries: 2

Tackle breaks: 18

Offloads: 14

Average run metres: 95

Average tackles: 23