Green outlines his tests to come

COACHING a Johnathan Thurston-less Cowboys side and his desire to one day lead Queensland are just two of the challenges facing Paul Green over the next three years.

The North Queensland coach yesterday announced he will be staying in Townsville until the end of 2021, finally signing a million-dollar contract extension after prolonged negotiations.

And while his immediate focus is to turn around the Cowboys’ fortunes this season – with the club on a five-game losing streak – Green said there was plenty about the future that enticed him to stay.

Green, who joined the Cowboys in 2014 and led them to their first premiership a year later, said while the club had enjoyed success, the job’s not done. One of the biggest challenges will be when champion halfback Thurston hangs up his boots at season’s end. But it’s a hurdle Green is ready to embrace.

“Whenever any club has a player such as JT go through (retirement), how you handle that can be challenging,” he said. “But I am looking forward to it and I think we’re well placed to handle that.”