Scott Bolton

Scott Bolton (born 9 May 1987) is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who currently plays for the North Queensland Cowboys in the National Rugby League (NRL). A second-rower, who is equally adept at prop or lock, Bolton has played his entire career to date with the Cowboys, playing in their 2015 NRL Premiership and 2016 World Club Challenge winning sides.

Born in Innisfail, Queensland, Bolton played his junior football for the Innisfail Brothers and attended Innisfail State High School. A talented back rower, Bolton joined the North Queensland Cowboys as a teenager and played for their then Queensland Cup side, the North Queensland Young Guns. He was a member of the Young Guns Premiership-winning side in 2005 at age 18, playing alongside future Cowboys team mates Gavin Cooper and Matthew Scott. Bolton represented the Junior Kangaroos and Queensland under-19 sides in 2005 and 2006. In 2006, he played for the Queensland Residents.

2005

Bolton started his professional Rugby League career with the North Queensland Young Guns in 2005 at the age of 18. Bolton was apart of the victorious Young Guns Grand Final squad at seasons end, earning himself an NRL contract for the 2006 NRL season.

2006

Bolton joined the NRL squad in 2006 after being signed to the club due to his strong performances for feeder club the North Queensland Young Guns in 2005, Bolton did not play an NRL game in 2006 but continued his strong form in the Queensland cup with the Young Guns, which earned him Queensland Resident honours.

2007

Bolton made his NRL debut in Round 4 of the 2007 NRL season, playing off the interchange bench in the Cowboys 25-24 victory over the Wests Tigers. He would go on to play 5 more games that season, scoring 1 try.

2008

Bolton earned his first run on start for the Cowboys in Round 16 of the 2008 NRL season. He started at second-row in the Cowboys 29-28 loss to the South Sydney Rabbitohs. Despite this, Bolton only played 4 NRL games in 2008, spending the majority of the season playing in the Queensland Cup. He would also play for the Queensland Residents for the second time.

2009

In 2009, Bolton became one of the Cowboys rising stars, cementing himself in the team's starting side and playing all 24 games that season. On 7 July 2009, he re-signed with the Cowboys until the end of 2012. He was named the Cowboys Most Improved for 2009 at their end of season awards night.

2010

In 2010, Bolton's good form was recognised by Queensland coach Mal Meninga and he was named in Meninga's 2010 QAS Emerging Origin Squad. Bolton was one of the Cowboys' best players in a disappointing 2010 season, storming into Queensland Origin contention. He set a new record for the most tries in a season scored by a Cowboys' forward, with 7, and he started all 24 matches, averaging 109 metres and 30 tackles a match.

In Round 23, Bolton was charged with biting Gold Coast Titans centre Clinton Toopi. Bolton faced the judiciary but was found not guilty after a lack of bite marks were found and Toopi refused to give evidence.

2011

Injuries significantly affected Bolton's 2011 season. He tore his left calf muscle in Round 1 against the Brisbane Broncos. He returned to the Cowboys' starting line-up in Round 6 against the Canberra Raiders, scoring a try, but was reverted to the bench when team mate Gavin Cooper returned from suspension the following week. Bolton was named in the starting line-up for the round 15 clash against the Warriors. However, injury struck again, a tear to his right calf muscle ruled him out of action until round 21 of the season.

Bolton returned for the Cowboys' run to the finals, playing in the side's qualifying final loss to the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles. It was Bolton's first NRL finals game. He finished 2011 with 15 games, averaging 90 metres and 25 tackles a game.

2012

On 17 August 2012, Bolton re-signed with the Cowboys on a one-year-deal, keeping him at the club until the end of the 2013 season. Bolton again struggled with injuries in 2012 but still managed to play 14 games throughout the course of the season.

2013

In Round 17 of the 2013 NRL season, Bolton played his 100th NRL game in the Cowboys' 26-18 loss to the Canberra Raiders.

On 5 August 2013, Bolton once again re-signed with the Cowboys, this time on a two-year deal until the end of 2015.

2014

In 2014, Bolton played every game for the Cowboys for the third time in his career, mostly coming off the interchange. in what was his first season since 2010 in which Bolton did not encounter extended time on the sidelines due to injury, he returned to the form that had him shot for an Origin debut, averaging close to 100 metres a game in his 26 games of the interchange bench.

2015

In 2015, Bolton played the first 8 games of the season before a fishing injury ruled him out for up to 3 months. While fishing during the Cowboys' bye weekend, Bolton sliced his finger open while preparing bait. The forward underwent surgery, having to have the tendon in his finger reattached. Bolton returned in Round 17 and on 4 October 2015, was a member of the Cowboys' Grand Final winning side, coming off the bench in the side's 17-16 victory over the Brisbane Broncos.

2016

On 21 February 2016, Bolton was a member of the Cowboys' World Club Challenge winning side, coming off the bench in the side's 38-4 victory over the Leeds Rhinos at Headingley Stadium. On May 5, he was named on the bench in the QRL's greatest Queensland Residents team of all time by journalist Tony Webeck.

Bolton played every game for the Cowboys in 2016, for the fourth time in his career. His 27 games were the most he has played in a season.

Individual

North Queensland Cowboys Most Improved: 2009

Team

2015 NRL Grand Final: North Queensland Cowboys – Winners
2016 World Club Challenge: North Queensland Cowboys – Winners

NRL

Statistics are correct to the end of the 2016 season