Maroons Origin winger Xavier Coates visits North Queensland with 2022 contract up for grabs

The Cowboys have admitted they are on the lookout for another electric outside back, and this Maroons flyer could just fit the bill.

THE Cowboys are on the hunt for an electric outside back to join their backline and there is one off-contract Origin flyer who could fit the bill.

Broncos rising star Xavier Coates, who comes off contract at the end of 2021, was spotted in Townsville last week taking in the North Queensland summer.

The Cowboys could not confirm whether Coates or his management had met with club officials but head of football Micheal Luck said a player of his calibre was always on their radar.

“We know he is off contract and he is a wonderful player and we are always interested in players of that calibre,” Luck said.

“He is a wonderful young talent, he was great for the Broncos and excellent for Queensland in the State of Origin series.”

The 19-year-old winger made his NRL debut in 2019 and has gone on to make 15 appearances for the Broncos in the past two seasons.

Xavier Coates. 2020 SOO Round 01 - New South Wales v Queensland, Adelaide Oval, 2020-11-04. Digital image by Gregg Porteous � NRL Photos

A sizeable outside back in the vein of Greg Inglis, Coates biggest asset is his speed and strength coming out of his own end, averaging 115 metres and more than two tackle breaks per game.

He is also has a connection to the North Queensland region being born in Port Moresby in Papua New Guinea before spending his formative years in Cairns.

It is understood Coates, who will line up under Kevin Walters at Red Hill next season, is weighing up his options ahead of a move in 2022 after earning a State of Origin debut for the Maroons this year.

North Queensland still have one final roster spot to confirm for the 2021 NRL season, but Luck said the club was in no rush to fill it.

North Queensland Cowboys training at Willlows Sports Complex. Valentine Holmes. Picture: Evan Morgan

The Cowboys will finish up their first pre-season training block tomorrow with players set to return to the paddock after Christmas.

It has been a physically demanding start to life under coach Todd Payten, with the club attempting to shift its ideology around preparation and playing style.

“We have also got a lot of train and trial guys here, we will see how they go over the next month or so of the pre-season before we start to lock in that final spot,” Luck said.

Jack Bowyer-Bowen, the nephew of Matty Bowen, has been one player at the Cowboys as part of an early pre-season training block. Picture: Evan Morgan

“We have been pretty flat out this pre-season getting our staff across the players at the moment and getting our players across the way we want to play footy.

“When you are bringing in a whole new structure and set of play calls-there is an element of learning that has to go on. Now we have the whole squad back, especially the older guys they have really taken to what Todd is implementing.

“It is a philosophical shift in the way we train, play and recover. Absolutely (they are buying into it) but this is not something you are going to click your fingers and it is going to change.

“It is a work in progress but we are impressed in the direction we are going.”