As an NRL player, the feeling of being dropped is one that will never sit pretty with a player, and one that all players approach differently.
For dropped Panthers fullback Lachlan Coote, he described his axing as leaving him feeling ‘shocked and angry’, after he was told on Tuesday morning by coach Ivan Cleary, that he was dropped for disciplinary reasons and poor form.
In a twist of fate however, Coote was spotted travelling with the club to the Gold Coast, after his replacement in Josh Mansour was ruled out with a back injury.
“I was pretty surprised. It was unexpected and I was pretty frustrated, but there’s nothing I can do about it,” Coote said.
“Obviously I’d done the wrong thing and he’s got to make the tough calls, so I can’t really do anything about it.
“I was pretty shocked and angry but I’m over it now and I know what I have to do to get back.”
Coote also made reference to the fact that not many have been pleased with some decisions that have been made, and that players are still getting used to a new regime under Cleary – one different to that of Elliot’s tenure at the club, as well as Steve Georgallis’s.
“There’s been some tough calls, not everyone thought they were the right calls, but we haven’t really dwelled on it too much,” Coote said.
“We’ve just got to move on and concentrate on playing good footy. It’s worked for us in a way.
“Everyone’s pretty on-board, but I haven’t been used to a coach like this before. I’ve only had Matthew Elliott and Steve Georgallis, (Cleary’s) very different to those type of blokes and that’s something I’ve got to get used to.
“I had a chat to Ivan again since the dropping meeting and we made out a little plan to see what I can get right in terms of my preparation and all the little things.
“He’s the coach, he’s got to make the tough decisions.”