Sharks v Broncos: Xavier Coates announces NRL arrival with stunning aerial try

Troy Whittaker

Sharks v Broncos: Xavier Coates announces NRL arrival with stunning aerial try image

Eighteen-year-old sensation Xavier Coates became the youngest Brisbane Broncos try-scorer since Dale Copley on Sunday by majestically soaring high to touch down.

On his NRL debut, Coates looked at home from the outset, collecting a barrage of towering bombs from the Cronulla Sharks at PointsBet Stadium in the early stages.

Then in the eighth minute, he showed his prowess as a kick target for his own team with a breathtaking leap and catch.

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Brisbane, fielding one of their most inexperienced sides ever with 11 players with less than 25 NRL games, surged into attacking range after a nice run from rookie halfback Sean O'Sullivan.

Makeshift five-eighth Jake Turpin placed a perfect kick on the next play, allowing Coates to grab his first NRL points as he jumped over Bronson Xerri and Josh Morris.

Watch below.

"He's a very tall youngster and a great athlete," said Fox League's Greg Alexander.

Coates, who is the only NRL player to date to have a first name starting with X, has been likened to former South Sydney Rabbitohs superstar Greg Inglis.

The Queensland under 18s representative didn't have it all his own way in the opening stanza though, bobbling a grubber that allowed Sharks halfback Chad Townsend to score.

Coates very nearly bagged another incredible aerial try later in the half but was denied by the Bunker, who ruled the raw winger juggled the ball into Morris before regathering.

 

Troy Whittaker