Cowboys wait on Holmes
A DECISION on whether Valentine Holmes returns from injury is expected this morning after getting through most of the week’s training.
The star fullback will be given until the team prepares to embark for Bankwest Stadium to determine whether he is fit enough to take on a rampant Parramatta Eels outfit, however he will not be flown to Sydney if he is not confirmed.
Cowboys coach Paul Green said the dynamic custodian had made it through most of the session and he “didn’t go backwards” in a promising sign. But he said given the nature of the ankle injury Holmes sustained against the New Zealand Warriors they would not know how well it pulled up until it had been rested from Thursday’s session.
“He got through the session but like I’ve said before with these soft tissue injuries you have to see how they pull up the next day,” Green said. “Some have got through, some haven’t in the past so we’ll see how he pulls up but he got through most of the session.
“If he’s not right we’ll have a fair idea how he wakes up. Travel for that sort of injury is not the best treatment.”
At this stage it is likely teenage sensation Hamiso TabuaiFidow would drop out of the side should Holmes come in, however Green said that decision could be based on whether Holmes could get through the full 80 minutes.
The North Queensland mentor said regardless of whether ‘The Hammer’ played or not, he had proved his worth at NRL level and had plenty of further upside in his future.