Players not hanging on Green deal
STAR Cowboys players have denied that Paul Green’s prolonged contract talks could affect their futures at the club, claiming his decision will not weigh into what they do.
It was revealed last week that the Cowboys are becoming frustrated with the negotiations on Green’s future, with CEO Laurence Lancini stating the club will talk to other coaches if a deal is not made soon.
But premiership-winning winger Antonio Winterstein, who is off-contract at the end of this year, said Green would not play a role in his decision.
A father of three, Winterstein said he had to do what was best for his family, regardless of whether Green was coach next year and beyond.
“North Queensland has been my home for the last eight years and I’m not wanting to go anywhere,” he said. “At the end of the day I have a family to look after and kids to support so I’ll make the best decision that’s right for my family. If Greeny stays that’s a bonus but he has a family to look after himself so he’ll make the right decision for him and his family.”
Winterstein is not the only player off-contract, with Lachlan Coote, Justin O’Neill, Jake Granville, Kane Linnett and Ethan Lowe also looking to secure their futures.
Like Winterstein, Lowe wants to stay at the Cowboys and is not waiting on Green to help determine what he does.
He said he first has to prove he is worth re-signing before worrying about anything else.
“I’d like to stay but in the end I have to do what’s best for me,” Lowe said.