Born in Charters Towers, Queensland, Scott is of Indigenous descent and played his junior rugby league for Souths Townsville, alongside future teammate Gene Miles.
[3] In 1981, Scott moved to the Wynnum Manly Seagulls, starting at fullback in their BRL's Grand Final victory over Souths Magpies a year later.
Despite being the incumbent Queensland fullback for 3 years, Scott missed a place on the 1982 Kangaroo tour of Great Britain and France.
Scott played for Queensland in the Interstate series and State of Origin series from 1979 to 1987, until losing his place as first choice fullback to former Souths Magpies and then-Canberra Raiders fullback Gary Belcher in 1986, though he was recalled to the team on the wing for Games 2 and 3 in 1987, mostly due to injury to regular Maroons centre and goal kicker Mal Meninga (the first of his 4 broken arms in 2 years).
[4] In 1988, Scott joined the newly established Brisbane Broncos, who were admitted to the New South Wales Rugby League premiership.