Cowboys fullback Lachlan Coote to stay in Townsville on $1m deal

LACHLAN Coote, the much-sought after star fullback has today accepted a deal to stay at the Cowboys - and he sacrificed a hefty sum from a rival club to stay with North Queensland.

LACHLAN Coote has today accepted a $1 million deal to stay at the Cowboys until the end of 2018.

News Corp can reveal Coote will ink a two-year extension worth $500,000 annually in a huge coup for North Queensland ahead of Saturday night’s clash against Manly at Brookvale Oval.

The Cowboys are expected to formally announce Coote’s retention this afternoon.

Coote was a man in demand with the Roosters, Souths and the Dragons all tabling lucrative multi-year deals, with the Bondi club’s package worth an estimated $2.4 million over four years.

Lachlan Coote’s future has been up in the air lately.

But Coote has opted to stay loyal to the premiers, sacrificing more than $1 million in potential earnings as he trades pennies for the prospect of more premierships.

Cowboys superstar Johnathan Thurston was a pivotal figure in Coote’s decision. Thurston privately pushed hard for his retention, urging Cowboys hierarchy to make the classy fullback a signing priority.

Coote agonised over the decision in the past 48 hours and was close to accepting a deal with the Roosters. But the presence of Thurston and Coote’s importance to the Cowboys’ playmaking spine convinced him to remain in Townsville.

The 26-year-old has been one of the form players of the 2016 season, prompting Broncos legend Darren Lockyer to last week call for him to be considered for the NSW Origin side.

The Cowboys will turn their attention to retaining James Tamou and Ethan Lowe. Picture: Zak Simmonds

The Cowboys will turn their attention to re-signing NSW and Australian prop James Tamou and hard-working back-rower Ethan Lowe. With the side’s spine of Coote, Johnathan Thurston (2017), Michael Morgan (2018) and Jake Granville (2018) committed for the next few seasons, the club’s prospects of staying at the top look strong.

“I’m extremely pleased to remain a Cowboy,” Coote said.

“I’ve had a memorable time here so far, we won the premiership last year and I just love playing with these boys.

“Greeny (coach Paul Green) and the coaching staff have played a big role in helping me improve my game, and they were all tremendous after a tough first year at the club.” Coote has endured a wretched run of injury over the past four years, sitting out most of 2013 with Penrith with a pectoral injury before not even taking the field in his first year in Townsville in 2014 because of a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament suffered at the Auckland Nines.

After spending six years at Penrith, Coote moved north in 2014 to find career-best form which has led to his name being mentioned in NSW State of Origin dispatches.

“He’s been really good for us, both last season and to start 2016,” Green said.

“His positional play at fullback is second to none and he gives us a genuine attacking option alongside our halves. I know his teammates love playing beside him and he’s a pleasure to coach.”