Coote soothes past finals hurt
THE pain of Penrith’s doomed 2010 NRL finals campaign is driving form fullback Lachlan Coote’s maiden premiership quest with North Queensland.
Nothing, it seemed, could wipe the smile off Coote’s face after he again impressed in the Cowboys’ 39-0 home semifinal romp over the Cronulla Sharks that booked a preliminary final spot at Melbourne’s AAMI Park on Saturday night.
Then his last serious crack at the NRL title with Penrith was mentioned.
Coote still hurts from No.2 seed Penrith’s straight sets exit five years ago.
He feared the third-placed Cowboys would suffer the same fate after their 16-12 qualifying final away loss to Brisbane. “That was my first finals win,” Coote said after Saturday night’s seven-try rout.
“In 2010 we had an outstanding team, finished second and it was devastating taking those two losses (with Penrith).
“I don’t want that feeling again. I have learned from it. I have let the boys know about it and hopefully we come out on top (against Melbourne).”
Coote has already overcome obstacles just to run out in the Cowboys’ No.1 jersey.
The fullback arrived in Townsville last year as the man to replace Matt Bowen.
He lasted mere moments on debut at the 2014 NRL Auckland Nines before suffering a season-ending knee injury.
By the time he was fully fit, Michael Morgan had made the fullback spot his own before switching to pivot, opening the door for Coote.
He has provided welcome support for Johnathan Thurston as North Queensland remain in sight of a first title.
No wonder he was keen to soak up the atmosphere at league heartland Townsville before the clash against the Storm.
“That’s a tough gig (Melbourne) but we will get this town behind us and hopefully get a win for them,” Coote said.