The NRL’s coaching carousel has claimed a third casualty in 2020, with North Queensland coach Paul Green exiting the club immediately as of today.
The Cowboys released a statement confirming media reports from earlier in the day, in which Green claimed “the board felt that the club was at a juncture where they needed to move in a different direction, and I can only respect their views.”
“Whilst this is obviously disappointing news, I am grateful to the board for allowing me to lead this club whilst creating some lifelong memories. I will use this next period to freshen up, spend some time with my family and assess options before moving on to my next coaching role,” he said.
Assistant coach Josh Hannay will assume caretaker coaching duties for the remainder of the season.
The seventh-year coach was under pressure to deliver on high expectations this season following the acquisition of State of Origin star Valentine Holmes, but the Cowboys just never got going. Despite an improved effort against the ladder-leading Panthers on Sunday, the 22-10 loss was their third in succession and left them languishing at 12th on the ladder with a 3-7 record and a horrid -70 points differential.
Green joined the club as coach in 2014 and delivered a maiden premiership in 2015 following one of the all-time great grand finals. They lost to eventual premiers Cronulla in the 2016 preliminary final and enjoyed a fairytale run to the decider in 2017, only to be brushed aside by the Melbourne Storm.
Recent seasons weren’t as productive, however, with slow starts dooming the club to bottom eight finishes in 2018 and 2019. This year started off okay, with two wins from their first three matches, but awful defence saw them suffer six defeats from the following seven matches. Their 275 points conceded so far is only better than Brisbane and Gold Coast.
Phil Rothfield of The Daily Telegraph claims Green was informed of his fate on Wednesday, but agreed to stay on as coach for Sunday’s loss to Penrith. The club is reportedly interested in luring Anthony Griffin as a permanent replacement.
His departure follows the sacking of Stephen Kearney by the Warriors and Dean Pay’s resignation from the Bulldogs on the coaching front this season.
Andrew
Roar Pro
Good insight ????
Tight-Head
Roar Rookie
I don’t think they need to be champions or grand finalists early on, but a good coach should be able to make the finals in the first year or two with any nrl quality squad. Then they can start to build the team they really want to become a contender.
mushi
Roar Guru
So in other words they weren't really given stability. If the only way you determine decent is via the results of an inherited roster then decent has very little to do with the individual coaching at all.
Zenn
Roar Rookie
One intercept away from sacking?
Chuck
Guest
Agree with your Hannay call, keep him on for 2021, in the meantime throw the bank @ Fitzy from the Chickens for '22 onwards, his job would be to use the first couple of years building the best defensive team/structure in the comp. Make that the Cows culture. Defense. When they have that ingrained into the club DNA, look for the best offensive coach they can find/steal/ kidnap, whatever. If there is one thing for sure, if they do not get their defensive problems sorted, they are just p'ing into the wind.
Kobi
Guest
Big demand for coach sackings in 2020 must be a virus about.
Rob
Guest
For the Cowboys to only make the GF with JT running the team with the players available (Especially the pack) between 2012 and 2018 says a lot? To only finish inside the top 4 once is not knowing how to make a GF IMO.
ThighSlappinBalls
Roar Rookie
Sort of had to happen my uncle and old man has loved them since day one and I have always had time for the Cowbies a fresh start might be a good thing. They have some great players and a good culture up there so lets hope they get a good coach that fits the joint I am thinking Hook but like the Broncs I reckon Toovs could go ok
R N
Roar Rookie
I'm not sure re Hannay. Rooting for him to do well. Not sure about Griffen long term either! Is there an island up there that some rich supporter can bequest to Bellamy?
Wood.Duck
Roar Rookie
He jumped ship to take over where Seibold will leave off.
Wood.Duck
Roar Rookie
Thurston was injured and did not play for half a season when the Cows made the 2017 grand final.
Tight-Head
Roar Rookie
I agree, however with the qualifier that the coach has to be decent in the first place. Those four coaches rarely miss the finals, and they didn’t miss much in their early careers either.
mushi
Roar Guru
Yep I'm the opposite, coaches need more time and stability than less
terrykidd
Roar Pro
Actually I think Jonathon Thurstan knew how to get the team to the GF
Rellum
Roar Guru
I never liked the job he did at Souths. We went nowhere under him, but the NRL might be different.
Rellum
Roar Guru
I spoke too soon. Now Fox are reporting the Broncs have already sort out Green for next year. It is going to be a long time before we make the finals again it seems.
Rellum
Roar Guru
We are talking about young players developing. They have already signed. Then they never develop.
Rellum
Roar Guru
I got a lot of grief that night from Cowboy fans seeing my maroon hat. It usually took a few seconds for the beer goggles to focus and realise it was a Bulls hat and then they were all "Ah, yeah, all good mate"
Gray-Hand
Roar Rookie
Not exactly. The Bradford Bulls went into liquidation in January 2017 and the RFL allowed a new club to be created a few days later. That new club was also called the Bradford Bulls, and played out of the same stadium etc but was run by different people. Toovey screwed up his paperwork, so they had to appoint an interim coach.
matth
Roar Guru
Paul, this is the end of a beautiful friendship.