North Queensland’s premiership winning Lachlan Coote says he had been copping plenty from his teammates before knocking back a lucrative offer from Sydney to stay in Townsville.

“I am very relieved. It’s what I always wanted,” he said.

“I was pretty sick of hearing about it (contract speculation) – I am sure the boys are too, they were making jokes about it.”

Coote said he put his team and family ahead of money.

“The team and family. I have started a young family up here and they always wanted to stay up here,” he said.

“And being a part of this team is a no brainer.

“Hopefully we are around October time.”