TOWNSVILLE, AUSTRALIA - MAY 15: Cowboys coach Paul Green looks on before the start of the round 10 NRL match between the North Queensland Cowboys and the Brisbane Broncos at 1300SMILES Stadium on May 15, 2015 in Townsville, Australia. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)
It’s no secret, North Queenslanders love their footy and love their Cowboys.
After achieving a maiden grand final win 2015 and reaching another in 2017. The good times were rolling In the North after that miracle run to the 2017 grand final, the Cowboys were destined for new heights in the wake of the 2018 season on the back of a favourite son calling time on a extraordinary career, the fairy tale was set.
Even the most formidable experts couldn’t predict a 13th place finish for cowboys last season. Fast foward to 2019, yet another lacklustre finish to a season, anchored in 14th place to finish their campaign with just 9 wins to add to their tally.
Once again, finding themselves absent from September, the once flamboyant Cowboys side have sunk to new lows. So perhaps it’s time to pave the way for the new generation under new management.
As per usual amongst team sports, the doubts and critics question the leadership and tactics of the helm when results aren’t going in your favour. Despite the criticism surrounding Green, it’s hard to argue the negatives through out his tenure, given the solid foundation he’s set for the club since his inception in 2014. Under his mentoring we’ve seen seen the likes of Morgan, Taoumolo and Thurston produce some of their best years whilst guiding the Cowboys to 4 finals series in just 6 years.
Unfortunately, as many rugby league coaches could tell you, there comes a period in which the head of the table soon reeks of an expiration date in both the playing and coaching group.
The disarray can be due to a number of factors- an extensive casualty ward, off field issues including star recruit Ben Barbra’s pre-season assault charge and inexperience just to name a few.
As mentioned, there can’t be faults in what Green is capable of, setting the standard for coaches across the competition and highly regarding amongst many during his best season at the Cowboys.
League Great Danny Buderus supports these claims commenting on NRL 360: “He was a highly sought after coach two years ago. I think every club wanted him and he still will be (sought after). He can coach, but sometimes your time is up."
The previous season and present speak for themselves, Green is just not the man to guide a young cowboys outfit into the future.
Green’s contracted until the end of 2021, with the board in a stand still situation, this suggests we’ll more than likely see him in the coaches box come 2020. Albeit, a reluctant start could have turmoil on Green and potentially force an early exit.
Amongst this, some senior players will certainly need to atone for their considerable form slump throughout the season, excluding Taumolo, who makes the perfect scapegoat to build a young and exuberant roster around. Jake Clifford and Storm import Scott Drinkwater are destined for promising futures.
If terminated Green will more than likely be thrown into the annual rugby league coaching merry go round, so it’s hard to determine potential candidates thus far. Let’s hope for footy lovers up North we’ll see a dominant cowboys outfit soon to play out of their new and invigorated North Queensland Stadium, set to open in 2020.