North Queensland co-captain Reuben Cotter has credited Cowboys legend and premiership-winner Matt Scott with guiding the leadership group as the side prepares for their week two elimination final against Cronulla-Sutherland at the Sydney Football Stadium.

The Cowboys will start as outsiders despite being last-start winners.

“Finals is a different comp altogether,” Cotter said.

“I think with big games, you have got to be more focused on effort areas and the back-and-forth, because whomever can sustain that sort of back-and-forth football is the one that comes out on top when you look at the past few years so Matt Scott has been helpful in that regard.”

The winner of Friday’s blockbuster faces the Penrith Panthers in the preliminary final.