North Queensland coach Paul Green admits there could be personnel changes as his side looks to avoid a sixth straight NRL defeat against Gold Coast.
The pre-season favourites sit second-bottom of the ladder with a 1-5 record after the 27-10 defeat to Canterbury on Saturday night and Green concedes they need to find a way to improve their output in the all-Queensland clash.
One unwanted adjustment could be replacing Matt Scott, who left the field in the closing stages for a head injury assessment, but Green said the test was “precautionary” and expected to have the prop available to play.
“We need to change what’s happening on the field,” Green said.
“Whether that be personnel or not I don’t know. We need to fix it and fix it quickly.
“You don’t want to change for the sake of change. The players need confidence too.”
The Cowboys’ biggest problem has been their start to games. For the third week in succession the 2015 champions found themselves two tries down in the first half.
“We’re putting ourselves under too much scoreboard pressure at the start of games,” Green said.
“When you’re down 12-0 and get a couple of penalties it’s difficult to take two (points) at that stage.
“We’re putting ourselves in these positions by being so far behind.
“Then you tighten up a little bit and don’t take the opportunities in front of us – you think twice about your offload.
“We need to loosen up and play what’s in front of us, trust our ability and trust our team.”
kk
Guest
jimmmy, When you trade a Ponga and keep a Coote it may be an indication that the club is still in premiership victory lap mode. That is ancient history. I feel sorry for Jake Granville. The camera caught him voicing his frustration when simple errors are repeated often.
jimmmy
Guest
I haven’t liked Greens comment after the last two games . This time he said it’s all due to our bad starts. The Cows have never, ever, worried about being behind on the scoreboard before it has been our best characteristic over the last few seasons.So why is it different now.? The week before he said we were ‘not far away’. He wasn’t looking at the same game I saw. We are so far from our best the even the horizon is not yet in sight.
kk
Guest
In R5 effort by the Warriors v Cowboys left both sides physically and mentally tired as evidenced by their R6 losing performances. If the Cowboys were a racehorse, the spelling paddock would be an imperative. It is disturbing to see JT unable to perform to the standard he has delivered in previous seasons. A light week on the training paddock and extra time in the hyperbaric may produce a change to attitude and scoreboard. Is it a case of Paul Green showing us why his lucrative contract was extended?