LACHLAN Coote and Michael Morgan are on a collision course over the Cowboys’ fullback spot.

Cowboys coach Paul Green added to the selection intrigue on Tuesday when he named a squad in alphabetical order for Saturday night’s trial against the Titans in Cairns.

Morgan is reluctant to relinquish the No.1 jumper he appeared to secure with a spectacular campaign last year but Coote, on the comeback trail from a knee reconstruction, turned up the heat by playing strongly at fullback in the Cowboys’ 18-6 trial defeat of Brisbane in Mackay a fortnight ago.

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Morgan wore the No.7 jumper in the absence of Johnathan Thurston, but the champion playmaker’s return for the premiership means coach Green is fast approaching D-day.

A popular figure among Cowboys players, Morgan has a team-first mentality but found his niche with his ability to roam as the fullback successor to Matt Bowen.

“I was comfortable at fullback last year and it sort of helped me not having to control a game as much,” said Morgan, who revelled in being able to play off Thurston and five-eighth Robert Lui.

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“I was happy to go to the halves (in the Broncos trial) because it was Cootey’s first game back, but I know that’s his preferred position as well.

“There’s always competition for spots and he looked comfortable at fullback.

“Unfortunately, it’s both of our preferred positions so the final call will be up to Greeny.’’

Lui shapes as a pivotal figure in the fullback saga.

The talented playmaker showed some slick touches in Mackay and will get game time against the Titans in the Cowboys’ final pre-season hit-out.

Lui will be difficult to shift from five-eighth if he plays strongly, leaving Green to choose between Morgan and Coote.

A shocker could convince Green to axe Lui, move Morgan to pivot and install Coote as fullback for the season opener against the Roosters.

Despite watching Morgan succeed in his injury-enforced absence last season, Coote still believes he can be the Cowboys fullback.

“I definitely want to make that spot my own,” he said.

“I am going to fight for it so we’ll see how the trials go and we’ll leave it up to Paul Green. Hopefully I make it a hard decision for him.

“There was a time when (Green) was mixing me between five-eighth and fullback but he wants me to concentrate on fullback and we’ll see how we go.’’