Jowitt – Cosgrove has big future
Dewsbury Rams boss Warren Jowitt believes youngster Elliot Cosgrove has a big future in rugby league and is one of the best prospects in the co-operative Championship.
Cosgrove, 20, spent the 2010 season down under playing for New South Wales Cup side North Sydney Bears and since returning to England he’s made big strides.
Jowitt said: “Elliot has been really good and he’s doing really well. He’s showing great promise and although he played in a lesser division out in Australia, I am sure it has helped him progress.
“James Lockwood and Dominic Brambani spent time in Australia and it definitely paid dividends with them, so hopefully it will have had the same effect on Elliot.”
“He’s a very good player and I would say he is one of the best prospects in this division at his age. I believe the lad has a big future in the game. He has a lot to offer and at the moment he has it all going for him.”
The centre or second row admitted the transition from Australia to England wasn’t too difficult, but the biggest challenge was cementing a first team place. However, with two league tries to his name and after time in the reserves, he’s making the centre position his own.
He said: “I came home because I was unable to get a visa. When I got back I contacted a well-known agent, Martin Shuttleworth and he went around all of the clubs.
“Dewsbury came in for me and I went for a meeting with Warren Jowitt and Jack Addy, they said I would be able to go on trial with them.
“Because I didn’t get back until October, i didn’t start pre-season until the end of November. I played a few trial games in January against Bradford and Wakefield then i played twice for the reserves against Featherstone and Wakefield.
“I impressed Warren in those two games and they offered me a one-year contract.
“Since I’ve been here I have learned a lot. I think my game has improved and it’s thanks to the great coaching staff, Warren has been great to me.
“The Championship is just a tough as it was out there and it’s far better organised.”
The former Huddersfield academy player is keen on going full-time in 2012, which would probably mean a move out of the Championship and he claims that is something that coach Jowitt would not prevent him from doing.
“I am taking every game as it comes at the minute. Next season, my goal is be full-time with a Super League club,” added Cosgrove.
“I have to keep training hard as there are a lot of players fighting for their places here. You have to be consistent, I think that is the best way to go in this league. “Warren has told me that if a Super League club came in for me, then he wouldn’t hold me back from leaving.”