Lachlan Coote switch to five-eighth was on the cards for weeks at Panthers

AT THE time it seemed like a harmless throw-away line during a Channel 9 call.

AT THE time it seemed like a harmless throw-away line during a Channel 9 call.

But keen viewers would have noticed Phil Gould dropping a subtle hint that Travis Burns was no longer wanted at Penrith almost a month ago, when the Panthers were playing South Sydney on a Sunday afternoon.

Panthers boss Gould, in his commentary role for the free-to-air network, said fullback Lachlan Coote had a future at five-eighth - Burns' preferred position - and went on to tell nearly one million viewers: "He's got a nice kicking game, Lachlan Coote. He's a left-footer, which is handy in any team. The Panthers don't use a lot of him, but when they do he's pretty good. There's also some thought whether or not his future is at five-eighth rather than fullback."

Fast-forward three and a half weeks and Coote has played his first game at No.6, and Burns is suddenly facing a 12-week suspension for collecting Roosters forward Martin Kennedy in a high tackle.

The Daily Telegraph revealed this week that Burns was told he could look elsewhere for next season, despite his deal having another year to run.

Even if Burns stays, he may struggle to reclaim the No.6 spot after Coote told The Daily Telegraph he was keen to make the halves move permanent.

Travis Burns

Coach Ivan Cleary approached Coote about the positional shift last week given the pending return of Michael Gordon, but then decided to fast-track the idea in time for the Chooks clash.

"Ivan said if 'Flash' comes back into the side, he'd ease me into playing five-eighth, but then he came back to me and said, 'I'm not easing you into it, I'll throw you straight in'," said Coote, who will wear the No. 6 again against Cronulla tonight.

"He said, 'I think you'll handle it well', and I thought I went alright on the weekend.

"It wasn't too tough. I did feel fresher in the legs the day after the game because there wasn't as much running as at fullback. The hardest thing at five-eighth was the defence and reading the plays the opposition teams do.

"I love playing fullback, but this is a different challenge and something I'm up for."

Coote said he had worked closely with halfback Luke Walsh on how best to prepare.

Even with Gordon bound for the Sharks next year, Coote would be spared the shift back to fullback given club officials have been impressed with Josh Mansour.

Gordon himself remains an outside chance to return tonight, which will partially make up for the loss of Luke Lewis and give the Panthers some hope of going back-to-back against Cronulla.

Burns, who will face the judiciary next week, is already serving a suspension for a chicken-wing tackle on Mose Masoe in the Roosters game.