Reuben Cotter

Reuben Cotter (born 28 December 1998) is an Australian professional rugby league footballer who plays as a hooker for the North Queensland Cowboys in the NRL.

Background

Cotter was born in Mackay, Queensland, Australia, and is of Indigenous Australian descent.

He played his junior rugby league for the Sarina Crocs and attended Sarina State High School. In 2011, he captained the Central Queensland NRL bid under-13 side against Keebra Park State High School, and later joined the North Queensland Cowboys academy.

Playing career

Early career

In 2013 and 2014, Cotter played for the Mackay Cutters' Cyril Connell Cup side. In February 2014, he represented the Queensland Murri under-16 side in their 18–14 win over New South Wales. In May 2014, he captained the Queensland under-16 side in their 20–18 win over New South Wales.

In 2015, Cotter moved up to the Cutters' Mal Meninga Cup side and later that year was selected at hooker in the Queensland under-18 side that defeated New South Wales 22–18. In September 2015, Cotter was selected for the Australian Schoolboys side that played a touring New Zealand under-18 team. He scored a try in the first Test, which Australia won 70–24.

In 2016, Cotter joined the North Queensland Cowboys under-20 side, playing just two games before tearing his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), ruling him out for the season. In January 2017, he returned from his injury and was named in the Queensland under-20 Emerging Origin squad. He tore his ACL again in 2017, and subsequently missed the entire 2017 and 2018 seasons.

2019

In 2019, Cotter joined the Cowboys' NRL squad as a development player. On 23 February, he played his first game in almost two years in the Cowboys pre-season trial win over the Gold Coast Titans at Sunshine Coast Stadium. Cotter started the 2019 season playing for the Cowboys' Queensland Cup affiliate, the Mackay Cutters, where he scored nine tries in 15 games.

In Round 13 of the 2019 NRL season, Cotter made his NRL debut in the Cowboys' 20–22 loss to the Manly Sea Eagles at 1300SMILES Stadium. He finished his rookie season playing five games, all off the bench.

On 4 September, Cotter signed a one-year contract extension with the Cowboys.

Statistics

NRL

Statistics are correct to the end of the 2019 season