The North Queensland Toyota Cowboys have agreed to a three-year contract extension with co-captain Reuben Cotter, running through the 2028 season.
Born and bred in North Queensland, the Sarina Crocodiles junior has been in the Cowboys system since joining the Mackay Academy as a 15-year-old.
Now 25 and Cowboys co-captain alongside fellow Mackay product Tom Dearden, Cotter is entrenched as the linchpin of the North Queensland, Queensland and Australian forward packs.
Cotter faced early career adversity, missing almost the entirety of three consecutive seasons between 2016-18 with ACL injuries before making his NRL debut in 2019.
He has since gone on to make 79 appearances for the Cowboys over the course of six seasons, along with seven appearances for Queensland, five for Australia and two for the Indigenous All Stars.
After bursting on the NRL scene as hooker, Cotter shifted back to his schoolboy position of middle forward in 2021 and is now regarded as one of rugby league’s premier lock forwards.
“This is a hugely important day for our club being able to formally announce a contract extension for one of our co-captains who has become one of the best middle forwards in the game,” Cowboys General Manager of Football Micheal Luck said.
“Reuben epitomises what we want our club to represent. He works hard, he’s humble and he’s selfless.
“This gives Reuben, his wife Mackenzie and their young family the security to firmly entrench their roots at home in North Queensland.
“We are thrilled to secure Reuben until at least the end of 2028 and look forward to the contributions he will make to the success of our club.”
