Leadership lessons have captain Cotter primed to perform

Reuben Cotter admits that after being appointed the Cowboys co-captaincy this year, he struggled to strike the right balance between his new-found responsibilities and focusing on his own role, affecting his form.

However, the Sarina Crocodiles junior feels he has now found that balance and it is showing on the field, with his try last week that came from sheer effort helping his side down a gallant Knights and earn themselves a semi-final face-off against the Sharks this week.

While Cotter is someone who leads through his actions, he also likes to make sure he is engaged with all the other players in his squad and said it did take him some time to figure out how to effectively do both.

“I got some advice at the start of the year and it's don't forget what you're doing now, because that's what got me here,” Cotter said.

“I have learnt more about my leadership style and knowing when to talk. It’s probably something that I've learnt a bit more about, knowing what to say and getting around to individuals and trying to drive different standards.

“There's a lot that goes into it, but I've just been really enjoying it. I've never tried to overdo it, because I don't want to take away from me doing my job and focusing on my job, but it's definitely something that I have enjoyed doing.

“I like to get around to every individual, whether it’s just at training, just to see how everyone is going, whether it’s someone seems more down, being comfortable to have a chat. I really enjoy that part of it.

“At the start of the season, I'd definitely say that I was probably thinking about the other boys and their jobs too much and it took away from my role and my focus on my role and that did affect my footy a little bit, I would say.

“I think it is about getting the balance right, making sure that your backyard's sorted first and then help others, but it's probably a learning.”

Sharing the captaincy role with good friend Tom Dearden, Cotter said while they were different people, they worked well together to figure out the best way to help bring the best in each other and their team.  

“I think we actually make a pretty good team,” Cotter said.

“What I bring is different to what he brings. His style of leadership is a lot about actions, but when he speaks, the team really responds to it as well and I just love what he brings to the team as well.”

One of the players who does have finals experience under his belt; Cotter’s time playing in Origin, as well as on the international stage with the Kangaroos, means he has plenty to knowledge to share about what to expect from big games.

However, as well as hearing from 2015 premiership winners Jason Taumalolo and Kyle Feldt who remain in the current side, the team have also had the guidance of others who played in that decider, with Cotter saying the advice of another club legend had been resonating with the players.

“Matt Scott, he’s been pretty good for our leadership group and his messaging has been the bigger the game, the more simplified you need to be with your role," Cotter said.

"(He has spoken about) focusing on what your job is and doing that to the best of your ability.

"He has us all focused on our role and that should reflect with our performances.

"Finals is a different comp altogether; I think with big games, you have got to be more focused on effort areas and the back-and-forth, because whomever can sustain that sort of back-and-forth football is the one that comes out on top when you look at the past few years, so Matt Scott has been helpful in that regard.”