The NRL took notice of the young PNG international in round 6 of the 2020 season when he clocked 36.9km/h from an intercept pass and ran the length of the field to score the Broncos’ only try in the 27-6 loss against the Knights at Central Coast Stadium.
The Papua New Guinea-born teenager’s blistering effort eclipsed Addo-Carr’s season record of 36.8km/h set in round two of the Telstra Premiership in Melbourne’s win over Cronulla at Kogarah. The fox would later retain his seat as the fastest player in 2020 season.
Coates continued his incredible trajectory and played two games on the wing for Queensland scoring an incredible try on debut as well as the second test but would miss out on the decider due to injury.
During the NRL off season Coates was still making the news when Melbourne Storm Coach Craig Bellamy was spotted meeting with the 19-year-old and his manager at the Coolangatta coffee club on the Gold Coast in December. To date the Cowboys and the Titans have entered the crowded race to become an option when PNG international and electric Queensland Maroons speedster comes off contract with the Broncos in 2022.
In a recent interview with QRL media Coates recalled having to fight for a position at the beginning of the 2020 season and finishing off on a high winning the State of Origin. Coates taking all of the lessons he learned during the bubble, under the watchful eyes of coaches Wayne Bennett, Mal Meninga and Neil Henry, and is keen to apply it at the club level in 2021
This season he has another wantok as a team-mate in the likes of David Mead whom Coates looked up to as a youngster playing the game and is excited to be play alongside him.
Coming back from injury during Origin and looking forward to another season at the Brisbane Broncos in 2021, all eyes will be on this young talent who is even more determined to make his mark in the game.
Photo Credit: NRL/QRL media
