Lachlan Coote could seek new life at five-eighth if squeezed out of North Queensland

HE has been the form player in the early rounds of the competition, but his future with the North Queensland Cowboys remains in doubt.

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MICHAEL Morgan has made an impassioned plea for Lachlan Coote to stay in Townsville as it emerged the Cowboys custodian could seek a new life at five-eighth if he is squeezed out of North Queensland.

Coote could leave the Cowboys at the end of the season as the club juggles salary cap pressures in the wake of its first NRL premiership.

The 25-year-old has been the form Cowboys player in the early rounds of the competition, starring against the Roosters last week.

Blues coach Laurie Daley has earmarked Coote as a possible Origin custodian and he is doing everything he can to earn a new deal at the Cowboys, who are in a precarious position given they don’t want to lose talented teenager Kalyn Ponga.

Coote’s manager Mark Stewart will meet with Sydney clubs this week and revealed a positional switch could be on the cards.

“There’s always that option. He’s not just a fullback or five-eighth,” he said.

“He’s so safe at the back he’s usually been seen as a fullback but he plays as a six. Some of his best games in the NRL have been at five-eighth. He’s started the season fairly well so he’s generating a bit of interest.”

Coote is in his third season at the Cowboys after leaving Penrith but didn’t play in 2014 due to a knee reconstruction. His 18-month-old son Bailey was born in Townsville and Coote said he was hoping to stay at the club where he won a premiership.

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“It’s been awesome here. It’s my third year and I’m loving it,” he said.

“I had my young fella up here. We’ve started a family here. The fans are awesome and have accepted me. Hopefully we can sort something out.

“I’ll let the footy do the talking and the manager do his job. All I have to do is stay on the park and play good footy.”

Coote has provided the ultimate foil for halves Johnathan Thurston and Morgan with his handy left-foot kicking. He played a crucial role in North Queensland’s title charge and Morgan said he hoped the Cowboys’ spine didn’t disband.

Lachlan Coote is set to meet with Sydney clubs this week.

“He is a very good player,” Morgan said.

“It’s just good we’ve got the consistent spine at the moment. I know it’s a challenge to try and keep the same team together, especially after last year, and with the way he’s going his value goes up as well.

“I’d like to see him hang around. He’s a close mate of mine. You don’t like seeing your mates leave. Fingers crossed there’s a chance he can hang around.”

Originally published as Lachlan Coote could seek new life at five-eighth if squeezed out of North Queensland