Talent-stacked Mackay won’t rely on Coote

NORTH Queensland Cowboy Lachlan Coote’s return to the Intrust Super Cup is a massive boost for the Mackay Cutters, but coach Steve Sheppard won’t be expecting the fullback to shift heaven and earth.

Coote, who was in Northern Pride’s colours last time he featured in the ISC, will line up against his former side in Cairns tonight.

While significantly strengthening a QCCS Cutters outfit searching for its second win of the season, Coote is coming back from ongoing hamstring injuries sustained in the preseason and Sheppard said the side wouldn’t “ask too much of him”.

“He’s really experienced and his communication is really going to help us this week, but it’s important that he just fits in with our style of play,” he said.

“We don’t want to ask too much of him – it’s his first game back and he’s only played about 10 minutes of footy – so I just want him to get the little things right and communicate, support off the ball and fit into our play as much as he can.”

Playing over 150 NRL games with Penrith and the Cowboys, Coote has also played two City Origin games and represented Scotland in the 2016 Four Nations. Sheppard said the Cutters’ focus would be getting Coote back to the top level.

“I’m thinking we’ll probably have him for two weeks,” he said. “Our goal is to try and get him back there (Cowboys). It’s silly to think we’d have him for the rest of the year, so our goal is to make sure he fits in and we get him prepared for NRL.”

Jack Joass’ replacement at fullback, Yamba Bowie, shifts back to the left wing slot, while captain Tom Murphy was named on the bench for his first game of the season after returning from injury.

Sheppard said his side had plans to quell half-back Todd Carney’s influence but couldn’t focus solely on the former NRL superstar.

“It’s important to take time off him and slow down the forward pack a fair bit and just pressure him,” he said.

WE DON’T WANT TO ASK TOO MUCH OF HIM – IT’S HIS FIRST GAME BACK AND HE’S ONLY PLAYED ABOUT 10 MINUTES OF FOOTY MACKAY CUTTERS COACH STEVE SHEPPARD ON LACHLAN COOTE