KUMUL ZAC LAYBUTT ON THE ROAD TO RECOVERY & READY FOR RD 1
YOUNG gun Zac Laybutt is taking heart from his 2024 pre-season in his quest to reclaim a starting centre spot for the Cowboys.
After a breakout 2023 season where he made his NRL debut and his first international appearance for PNG, Laybutt started last year as a first-choice centre, only to be struck down by an ACL injury in Round 5, ruling him out of the entire North Queensland campaign and the Pacific Championships for the Kumuls.
Now tracking well with his recovery and almost back to full training, Laybutt said he had confidence he could find the form to once again see him into the starting side.
“It’s obviously been a tough one; it’s a big injury and hard to come back from, but (pre-season training has) been good though, as enjoyable as it can be, but, (the knee’s) come on very nicely now and getting out in the field, which is good,” Laybutt said.
“I’ve spoken to the coaching staff, I know where I sit, and they’ve been good, they’ve been supportive the whole way through, and Toddy [coach Todd Payten] picking me last year in the team did instil some confidence, so it’ll be good to go into this year with that confidence as well.
“Starting the year, thought I had that spot solidified, but I guess I’m sort of starting again where I was this time last year; I’ve been through it now and I know what I need to do to get back into the team.
“Now, I’m sort of restricted a little, but I’m 100% certain I can get back to 100% and play some good footy again and get that spot back.
“Not 100% sure yet (when I will return), because we’re just transitioning to full training, so we’ll see how the knee holds up after that.
“But yeah, I reckon I can get some trials in, start on restricted minutes with these sorts of injuries. So, restricted minutes in the trials and then hopefully we’ll be ready to go by Round 1.”
Picture & Source: NRL/NQ Cowboy.