Coote out for saturday

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NRL Premiership
Penrith leave Lachlan Coote out of NRL semi-final against Sydney Roosters


September 14, 2010

Penrith coach Matthew Elliott has resisted the temptation to rush back impressive fullback Lachlan Coote for Saturday night's NRL semi-final against Sydney Roosters.
Coote had declared himself ready to return after six weeks out with a groin injury, but Elliott decided to stick with New South Wales winger Michael Gordon in the No.1 jumper with the Panthers' season on the line.

The only changes to the side which went down to Canberra are in the pack, with Gavin Cooper and Nathan Smith coming in for injured internationals Trent Waterhouse and Frank Pritchard while skipper Petero Civoniceva returns in the front row following suspension.

Prop Frank Puletua, former Wests Tigers backrower Daine Laurie and Cronulla-bound playmaker Wade Graham have all been added to the bench, with two to drop off on game day.


better news for us!! i think gordan is a lot better for them on the wing

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he'll play imo

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And the mind games begin.

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He'll play.

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Purtell likely to lose spot if Coote is declared fit Chris Barrett
September 14, 2010


What elimination final? A relaxed Michael Jennings chats with Petero Civoniceva. Photo: Brendan Esposito

WINGER Adrian Purtell is shaping as the unfortunate victim of a Penrith back-line reshuffle to accommodate the return from injury of star fullback Lachlan Coote for the Panthers' elimination semi-final against the Sydney Roosters at the SFS on Saturday night.

While Penrith were yesterday continuing to count the cost of their qualifying-final loss to Canberra, with confirmation that Frank Pritchard (torn hamstring) would join fellow back-rower Trent Waterhouse (ruptured pectoral) in the casualty ward for the rest of the finals, and major doubt still hanging over prop Tim Grant (ankle), Coote's chances of a first appearance since late July improved.

The 20-year-old, sidelined with a groin injury six weeks ago, trained strongly yesterday and will be put through a stern session tomorrow to gauge his fitness.

''The physio said I've got this week to prove myself,'' Coote told the Herald. ''We come back [tomorrow] and it'll be a pretty full-on training. If I can't get through that then I won't be playing, but if I do then I'll be playing. I'm feeling pretty confident I'll get through the training sessions.''

Whether Coote is named in the Penrith line-up by Matt Elliott today or not, the increasing likelihood of his return on Saturday leaves the coach having to drop someone to open up a spot in his back line.

It is understood that player is most likely to be Purtell, the former Raider who has played all 25 games this year, mostly at centre but in the last month on the wing as Elliott shifted Brad Tighe closer to the action.

NSW winger Michael Gordon, who has deputised for Coote admirably, is likely to move back to the flank while the sparkling form of rookie of the year Sandor Earl demands his retention on the other wing.

''It's up to [Elliott] if I play or not - 'Flash' [Gordon] and Sandor have been playing pretty well, so I don't know if he's going to want to drop them or not,'' Coote said. ''I've been out for six rounds now; it's just been so frustrating to watch the boys. Especially last Saturday night watching them play like that. They haven't played like that for a while.''

Gordon would happily vacate the No.1 jumper for Coote. ''At this stage of the year I don't really care [where I play],'' he said. ''I just want to win. [Coote's] form before he got injured was unreal … so I think he'll slot back in pretty comfortably. He's had a bit of a rest and he would be just that spark that we're probably lacking at the moment.''

Elsewhere, Nathan Smith and Gavin Cooper are poised for promotions from the bench to the starting back row to replace Waterhouse and Pritchard. The pending absence, though, of Grant in the front row is tempered by the return from a two-game suspension of captain Petero Civoniceva.

A new-look Penrith bench for Saturday night could feature 2003 premiership survivor Frank Puletua, as well as Daine Laurie.

Civoniceva conceded the holes left by Waterhouse and Pritchard would be hard to fill but said he had faith in the players who would step in for the pair of internationals.

''It's a big loss for us but we'll move on,'' Civoniceva said. ''It's do-or-die for us … we can sit around and get down about who is not there or otherwise we can just focus on having a real good preparation and giving it our best shot.''

There was, at least, good news for Penrith from the match review committee. Grant (careless high tackle) and interchange forward Masada Iosefa (dangerous contact) were charged yesterday over incidents in the Raiders game but will be spared bans by entering early guilty pleas.