The Obstruction Rule

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Latest North Queensland Cowboys News

Coote lost to Super League

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We all knew it was coming, but that doesn’t make it any less disappointing.

Super League club St Helens today announced the signing of Cowboys fullback Lachlan Coote on a three-year deal, confirming that the talented playmaker’s time in the NRL has come to an end.

Though he’s never been considered a superstar, his addition to the Cowboys in 2015 was vital to North Queensland taking the leap from contenders to premiers, and we imagine he’ll always be welcome in any pub in Townsville.

It’s hard to believe that there isn’t a club somewhere in the NRL who could be made better by adding him. St Helens have got a good one.

Coote has played 166 first grade games for the Cowboys and Panthers, and 3 Tests for Scotland.

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Cowboys reportedly getting Opacic, too

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The Cowboys are shaping up to have a new-look backline in 2019, with long-time stars Johnathan Thurston, Lachlan Coote and Antonio Winterstein on their way out, and Ben Barba reportedly on his way in.

Barba may well be joined at North Queensland by Broncos centre Tom Opacic, who’s been granted a release from his recently signed extension with Brisbane in order to take up a deal with the Cowboys, according to WWOS reporter The Mole.

The report states that the signing is unlikely to be formally announced until after this weekend’s games, at the earliest.

Opacic has played 19 first grade games for the Broncos.

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Barba joining the Cowboys

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Hopefully this puts an end to all of the Valentine Holmes speculation.

According to the Daily Telegraph, former Sharks fullback Ben Barba is set to join the Cowboys, with his signing expected to be finalised “within the next 24 hours”.

Barba is expected to join on a one-year deal, effectively ruling out the immediate signing of Holmes (although Sharks coach Shane Flanagan has long stated that he wouldn’t be releasing Holmes, anyway).

As for 2020, that’s another story; and the Cowboys continued pursuit of Holmes for then is likely to hinge on the early season form of Barba, and whether or not the Sharks can get Holmes tied down on a long-term deal in the meantime.

Regardless, the Cowboys have found their fullback for next year at least, so we can stop hearing about what Valentine Holmes is for a little while.

Barba has played 168 NRL games for the Sharks, Broncos and Bulldogs.

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Winterstein retires effective immediately

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In a surprise announcement, Cowboys winger Antonio Winterstein has today announced his retirement from rugby league, effective immediately.

The press release only cited “medical advice” as the reason for boys decision, and given his relatively young age (30), it’s certainly a bit of a shock.

Winterstein played 214 first grade games for the Cowboys and Broncos, and 8 Tests for Samoa.

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Cowboys keep Molo

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It’s been a long year for Cowboys fans, so we’re counting this as a good news story.

The Cowboys have today announced the re-signing of forward Francis Molo for a further two years, keeping him in Townsville until the end of 2020.

Molo is pretty much just a depth forward at this point in his young career, but he’s just 23 years old, improving, and (perhaps most importantly) healthy – which makes him invaluable to North Queensland at this particular point in time.

Molo has played 10 first grade games for the Cowboys and Broncos.

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