The North Queensland Toyota Cowboys have pulled off one of the biggest signing coups in the club's history by extending co-captain Matthew Scott's contract until the end of the 2017 NRL season.
The deal announced in Cairns today is set to make the Test and State of Origin prop a one-club player.
Scott joined the Cowboys from St Brendan's College in Yeppoon, made his NRL debut as an 18-year-old in 2004 and will be 32 when this extended contract expires.
He has already played 141 NRL games for the club and has been co-captain with Johnathan Thurston since the start of the 2011 season.
"This is a huge re-signing for our club," Cowboys CEO Peter Jourdain said.
"This signing shows a real loyalty from Matt to our club and our region.
"Matt's influence on and off the field is immense and he was someone we were very keen to have stay in North Queensland with the Cowboys.
"He is a great role model, fantastic player and an outstanding leader.
"Having him here for another five seasons is a massive positive for the Cowboys and meets our goal of keeping our best talent in North Queensland."
Scott said being a one-club player for the Cowboys was a major reason in his re-signing decision, as was remaining with a forward pack that includes fellow Test front-rower James Tamou and young guns Tariq Sims and Jason Taumalolo, who are all on long-term contracts.
"We have had some success over the past couple of years, making the finals, but there's more to do and I wanted to be part of that," he said.
"We have a great club here in North Queensland and it's a place I love to call home.
"I feel very settled here and hopefully before too long we can win that premiership that everyone here craves."
Scott, who was named International Prop of the Year in 2011, will make his first appearance for 2013 in Saturday night's trial game against St George Illawarra at Barlow Park.
