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The term `friendly rivalry’ is about to get a new meaning at the North Queensland Cowboys after Michael Morgan made it clear he has no intention of relinquishing the No.1 jersey to good mate Lachlan Coote.
Ex-Penrith fullback Coote arrived at the NRL club amid much fanfare as the man to replace club favourite Matt Bowen in 2014.
However, his year lasted just seven minutes after he suffered a serious knee injury at the pre-season Auckland Nines.
Now a fighting fit Coote again has big boots to fill if he dons the No.1 jersey in 2015 – those of incumbent Morgan.
Morgan was a revelation at fullback for the Cowboys this season, earning Queensland squad selection by Origin III in July.
Morgan has become good mates with Coote at the club – but it seems their friendship will only stretch so far.
“At the moment I want to be playing fullback,” he told reporters.
“I had a go at the halves for a few years and never really took off.
“I was lucky enough to have a good year this year.
“It’s where I have played my best footy as first grade. I would be more happy there.
“Going back there (fullback) opened the game up more for me, gave me more of an opportunity to run the ball.”
It is already competitive at pre-season training with Coote clearly keen to make up for lost time, exceeding Morgan at a recent club running test.
But Morgan said the pre-season race to nab the No.1 jersey would not be personal.
“We are good mates. It’s not going to come between us or anything like that but whatever happens, happens,” he smiled.
“If Greeny (coach Paul Green) was more happy (for Morgan) to go to the halves I would go there.
“But there’s still competition (for spots) there, but that’s good for the club.”
Morgan said the elephant in the room had not been addressed by Green.
“We haven’t discussed positions yet,” he said.
“The meeting I had with Greeny was just after the season so nothing has been said since then.
“I will go to Christmas and see what happens from there.”
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