Johnathan Thurston anoints Lachlan Coote in the Cowboys’ fullback role vacated by Matt Bowen

JOHNATHAN Thurston has endorsed Lachlan Coote as his new attacking partner as the Cowboys start life without Matt Bowen.

Lachlan Coote is enjoying his new surroundings at the Cowboys Pic: Fiona Harding

COWBOYS skipper Johnathan Thurston has endorsed Lachlan Coote as his new attacking partner as North Queensland begin their new era without Matt Bowen.

Bowen’s move to the English Super League has ended one of the NRL’s most exciting combinations but Thurston is confident the veteran’s fullback replacement Coote can develop into a dangerous prospect in the No.1 jersey.

Thurston admitted it had been strange returning to training at North Queensland without his close mate Bowen, but he was confident the personnel and coaching changes at the Cowboys were a positive step for the club.News_Rich_Media: The guru Tom Sangster speaks to 2013 NRL SuperCoach winner Darren Thompson about what it takes to win the coveted prize.

Coote will make his Cowboys debut in the No.1 jersey Saturday night against Brisbane at Redcliffe, with Thurston expected to make his first appearance a fortnight later against the Titans at Toowoomba.

“It’s been very, very different coming in and not having Matty around,” Thurston said.

“He left the club in good shape so there are new boys now and there is an opportunity for those boys to cement a jersey there.

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“Lachlan Coote looks like he has the inside running. He has been training extremely well and we’ve been working hard on our combination.”

Coote is not the only new face Thurston needs to adjust to, with former Dragon Cameron King pushing for the starting hooker position against Ray Thompson, Rory Kostjasyn and Anthony Mitchell.

New coach Paul Green has overhauled the Cowboys’ attack and defensive structures and although Thurston’s role has not changed he believes the new game plan will bring out the best of everyone in the team.News_Rich_Media: With the countdown to the 2014 NRL season well underway, several clubs loom as contenders for the title.

“The structures he has put in place offensively suit the type of players we have in the team and I’m really excited by that,” he said.

It has been a hectic return to training for Thurston, settling into the new regime while taking five hours out of his day to get a new tattoo of his daughter’s name Frankie on his forearm.

The Golden Boot player of the year winner has also signed on again as ambassador for Queensland’s Reconciliation Awards which is a program close to his heart.

Thurston said he remained committed to furthering Indigenous work and was proud that fellow Indigenous hero sportsman Adam Goodes was recently named Australian of the Year.

“Extremely proud. He is a great role model for all Australians, not just Indigenous Australians,” Thurston said.

“I would like to think we are closing the gap but I think we’ve still got a long way to go. “Indigenous Australians are dying 10 years younger than non-indigenous Australians so certainly we still have a long way to get back to that equal life but I think the government is putting things in place and recognising what we need to do to advance reconciliation.”