North Queensland Toyota Cowboys fullback Lachlan Coote will remain at the club after agreeing to a two-year contract extension, it was announced today.
The premiership-winning custodian, 26, is in his third season at the Cowboys, with this new deal keeping him at 1300SMILES Stadium until the end of the 2018 season.
“I’m extremely pleased to remain a Cowboy,” Coote said.
“I’ve had a memorable time here so far; we won the premiership last year; and I just love playing with these boys.
“Greeny (head coach Paul Green) and the coaching staff have played a big role in helping me improve my game, and they were all tremendous after a tough first year at the club.”
Coote joined the Cowboys from Penrith at the start of the 2014 season, but had his year cut short with a serious knee injury in the Auckland Nines.
He made a successful return to the field in 2015, playing in 26 of 28 matches and performing a key role in the Cowboys’ charge to a maiden National Rugby League title.
The former Penrith junior has now played 33 matches for the Cowboys, scoring eight tries and kicking a field goal.
Green said Coote was a class act who was playing some of the best rugby league of his career.
“He’s been really good for us, both last season and to start 2016,” Green said.
“His positional play at fullback is second-to-none and he gives us a genuine attacking option alongside our halves. I know his teammates love playing beside him and he’s a pleasure to coach.”
Coote was in the Cowboys team that defeated Parramatta 32-16 at 1300SMILES Stadium in Round 8 to have the Cowboys well-placed at six wins from eight games.