Canberra Raiders centre Curtis Scott has a point to prove coming into the 2021 NRL season.
Scott missed large chunks of the 2020 season due to both indifferent form and injury after moving to Canberra from the Melbourne Storm. But he said he’s keen for a fresh start ahead of their Saturday 27 February trial against the Sydney Roosters.
“I missed half a year last year and had a few hiccups along the way; it’s been a clean slate this year and I’ve just been able to focus on myself and focus on playing football.
With legal proceedings brought against him by NSW Police shrouding his pre-season and football last year, Scott said he’s felt far better this pre-season with the drama surrounding that now behind him.
“It’s been much easier this year coming back in and doing training around the boys,” he said.
“I’m much happier and feel like I’m a better person from what’s happened. It’s easier to get out there now and connect with everyone.”
Scott’s interrupted 2020 campaign ended when he injured his right leg against the Bulldogs last season.
After being cleared of a fracture, Scott ended up suffering an infection due to a plate in his leg from when he broke it back in 2016.
The complications saw him miss the last four rounds of the competition and Canberra’s finals campaign.
With the leg now long healed, Scott was able to get back into full pre-season training a week before Christmas.
“The leg’s finally mended, it’s been a tough pre-season and I’m just looking forward to getting out there,” he said.
“It’s probably the best I’ve felt in my career so far and I’m just really excited for the season to come along.”
Having played last year at right centre between back-rower John Bateman and wing Nick Cotric, Scott will have to form new combinations in 2021 with both players having departed Canberra.
“It’s just another opportunity for other players to step up and fight for those positions,” he said.
“We’ve got Hudson Young, he’s been training really well this pre-season, and we’ve got Bailey Simonsson and Jordan Rapana as well; they’re both experienced first graders who know how to get the job done.”
For more sport:
