Dureau played his junior footy in Port Macquarie before joining NRL club Newcastle Knights as a teenager, making his way up the underage and reserve grades of the day before making his debut at age 20.
He played 42 first grade games for the Knights before falling down the pecking order at the club, eventually being forced out by the likes of Beau Henry and Kurt Gidley.
A career-changing move to French club Catalans Dragons brought out the best of Dureau on the field, leading to his naming in the Super League All-Star Teams of 2011 and 2012, his first two seasons in the competition.
Dureau retired from the sport at just 28 years of age in 2015 following a series of physical injuries including a bicep tear and the surgical removal of a benign tumour from behind his eye in 2013.
That was following an unsuccessful return to the NRL in 2014, where he was loaned to the Sydney Roosters only to fail to make a first grade appearance, instead playing for Newtown Jets in the NSW Cup.
Dureau was sadly diagnosed with brain cancer and fought the illness for several years before passing peacefully this week.
"A former iconic player of the club, (Dureau) had been courageously battling the illness for several years," the Catalans Dragons said in a club statement overnight.
"Beyond the exceptional player that he was, Scott was a man cherished by all those who had the privilege of knowing him.
"His talent and numerous achievements on the field, but above all his humility and kindness, will forever be etched in our memories.
"In these painful moments, president Bernard Guasch and the entire club extend their most sincere condolences to his wife Libby, his two daughters Imogen and Everly, his family, and all his loved ones."
Dureau was survived by his wife and two daughters.
Aaron Murphy has been with Flashscore since 2018 and, as the founding editor of the Australian newsdesk, has reported on-site at several major events in Melbourne including the Australian Open, State of Origin, A-League, NBL and international cricket. You can read his pieces here and contact him on X or LinkedIn.
