Coote content to bide time at Cutters
COWBOYS fullback Lachlan Coote has stopped short of declaring he’s ready for an NRL call-up despite a solid return from a hamstring injury.
The No.1 had little chance to get involved as the Cutters fumbled through the first half at Barlow Park on Saturday night, but stepped up in the second with his typical array of attacking skills.
Coote, who often bobbed up at dummy-half in the opposition 20m zone, even scored a try after he broke one tackle and carried another over the line to spark a Mackay comeback.
That and a few goalkicking attempts, which he missed badly, gave some idea of the confidence in his hamstring but he was tentative when asked if he was ready to step back into Cowboys colours.
“I felt really good out there. Obviously the second half was better than the first confidence-wise,” Coote said.
“It was really good to get a run and get a full 80 minutes under the belt. I felt good there chiming in at the back and getting my skills right.”
The 27-year-old said he was unsure if he’d done enough to break into Paul Green’s 17 to face the Warriors this week, but seemed happy to bide his time.
Green hinted this week Coote might spend “a couple of games” at the Cutters rather than rush back to the No.1, happy with the job of Mareeba’s Ben Hampton at the back since the start of the season.
Coote said more Intrust Super Cup minutes would give him the opportunity to perfect his general play kicking, of which he did little on Saturday.
“Maybe I need a few more minutes there,” he said.
While Coote had a welcome return, Cutters coach Steve Sheppard said it was a deflated dressing room after a suspected third ACL injury for hooker Josh Chudleigh
“He was just making a tackle and felt his knee move, so it doesn’t look good, Sheppard said.
“Fingers crossed for the kid ... hopefully it’s OK.”