North Queensland Cowboys to let Lachlan Coote leave after salary cap squeeze

LACHLAN Coote is set to be pushed out of the Cowboys as salary cap pressures force the premiership-winning fullback to look for a new club. Who will replace him?

Cowboys training. Lachlan Coote. Picture: Shae Beplate.

LACHLAN Coote has been told he is free to find another club with salary-cap pressures set to force the premiership-winning fullback out of North Queensland.

News Corp can reveal Coote is officially up for sale, with cap constraints and the emergence of young gun Kalyn Ponga leaving the classy custodian on shaky ground at the Cowboys.

Coote has been instrumental in North Queensland’s success, helping the club to their maiden title last season and leading the Cowboys’ 38-4 rout of Leeds in the World Club Series on Monday.

The 25-year-old has been in negotiations with the Cowboys and his preference is to finish his career at the club that threw him a lifeline after his departure from Penrith three years ago.

But the Cowboys are now paying the price for title glory, with Coote among 16 off-contract players the premiers must attempt to fit into their salary cap this season.

Coote’s manager yesterday confirmed his client is on the open market as the Cowboys invest in Ponga, the 17-year-old whizkid likened in style to Broncos legend Darren Lockyer.

“From talking to the Cowboys, it looks like Lachlan will have to move on,” his agent Mark Stewart said.

“Talks have stalled a bit. We gave them every opportunity (to sign a new deal). The Cowboys came back to us and said we’re happy for you to talk with other clubs, but please give us the final shot.

“They would love to keep ‘Cootey’ for another year or two, but they have Ponga coming through and they’ve made it clear they see a big future for him.

Coote was on the scoresheet as the Cowboys claimed the World Club Series.

“The Cowboys have been honest which we appreciate. The basic message is the salary cap is an issue and they have to make a tough call.

“It’s a case where it looks like Lachlan will have to move ... we’ve gone onto the open market.”

Money, or rather a lack of it, shapes as the sticking point. Coote wants the security of a three-year deal, but the Cowboys are reluctant to broker a long-term contract at the risk of losing a future superstar in Ponga.

An Australian Schoolboys star, Ponga made his senior debut in a trial against Brisbane a fortnight ago and the boom fullback or pivot is being groomed for regular NRL appearances next year.

Coote was a revelation last season, featuring in the playmaking spine that swept the Cowboys to a fairytale premiership, and has not given up hope of staying at the club.

“A lot could depend on the first month of the competition, if Lachlan’s form is red hot it will make it hard for the Cowboys to let him go,” Stewart said.

“We’re looking for a three-year deal but the Cowboys aren’t in a position to offer us three years so we have to explore options.

“I’m in discussions with two or three clubs, nothing formal at this stage, but Lachlan is a quality player and won’t have a problem finding a new club.”

Originally published as North Queensland Cowboys to let Lachlan Coote leave after salary cap squeeze