While it's obvious Cowboys co-captain Matt Scott would be disappointed at not being picked in Queensland's State of Origin I side, if he is successful in pleading his not-guilty judiciary charge the forward will be a huge inclusion for North Queensland as they take on the Sea Eagles on Thursday.
The Cowboys have confirmed they would be pleading not guilty to Scott's shoulder charge, and the Origin period is also the Cowboys' last chance to turn their season around.
Winger Kyle Fedlt sympathised with his captain, but is confident he'll get on with the job at hand.
"I think [Scott] is just focused on what he needs to do at the judiciary, I think he would be disappointed but he hasn't really said anything so we'll see how he goes," Feldt said.
"Obviously we'll find out tomorrow night and see what happens with the judiciary, we all have our fingers crossed that he will get off."
Johnathan Thurston is also in Cowboys colours instead of the Maroon for the first time in over a decade this weekend, and Feldt said it had been a strange experience having the halfback at training during the Origin period.
"It's different [having Thurston here]. He's excited I think, and I think he's a bit lost, doesn't know what to do with himself knowing he's back at club level and doesn't have Origin in the next week or two so he's going to be focused on this week's game," Feldt said.
With Thurston and hopefully Scott lining up for the Cowboys, Feldt is hopeful the side will have what it takes to turn their form around, even without Origin players Michael Morgan, Gavin Cooper and Coen Hess.
"They're both our captains too so they're going to step up in this period in the season and I think all of us players around them have to step up as well," he said.
The absence of Morgan and Hess will likely give Lachlan Coote and Ethan Lowe a chance to get back into the side and show coach Paul Green why they're an essential part of it, and Feldt is confident they'll put their opportunity to good use.
"Obviously they're pretty disappointed with getting dropped, so obviously getting that shot this week they're going to really try and prove a point and be out there and show Greeny what they're capable of," he said.
"They've both played well over a hundred games now… they're both good players in their positions and they're going to be out there to prove a point."
Origin at Suncorp, there's nothing like it! Game III tickets still available here.
