COWBOYS NEED GREEN TO STAY
ELITE, dynasty- building coaches are rarer than hen’s teeth.
Most would classify Cowboys coach Paul Green in that echelon after transforming the club into a heavyweight, highlighted by the 2015 premiership.
It’s why Cronulla premiership star and Fox Sports expert Mick Ennis believes it’s a “no- brainer” to re- sign him – as long as the club’s terms aren’t poles apart from the Green camp’s demands.
Cowboys chairman Laurence Lancini attracted headlines when he told the Bulletin this week that they need an answer from Green as soon as possible.
“I want this deal done sooner rater than later, otherwise we will move on,” Lancini said.
“Paul is absolutely my preference, I don’t want him to go. But we can only do a deal if both parties agree to it and at the moment, we’re not there.
“Up until now, we haven’t spoken to any other coach but it will get to the stage where we will have no other choice but to find someone else.”
Ennis feels Green will eventually re- sign with the Cowboys. But if he were to move on, the domino effect could be significant.
Ennis said a big reason superstars Michael Morgan and Jason Taumalolo would have re- signed long term is because they love being coached by Green.
“For me it ( re- signing him) is a no- brainer. As long as it’s not ridiculous in terms of what Greeny thinks he’s worth and what the club does,” Ennis said.
“I’m sure he’ll make a decision soon and I’d be highly surprised to see him leave the Cowboys.
“The Cowboys need to value up what success means to them.
“There’s a new stadium coming, two of the best players in the competition signed long term in Morgan and Taumalolo and you can build a club around that.
“To get Paul Green back, who’s one of the best coaches, I think for the sake of a bit extra money, you get that back in spades in terms of memberships, sponsorships, merchandise and success.
“It would be a real shame for the Cowboys if Greeny moved on, but in saying that there’s obviously other interest somewhere else, otherwise you’d imagine it would have been a very easy decision for him.”
The Cowboys have a number of big names off contract and Ennis said they would be waiting with bated breath for Green to make a move on his future.
“The players on contract it wouldn’t bother, but he’s got some guys in that side who he values, but other clubs may not see them as valuable,” Ennis said.
“They’d be hoping no doubt that Greeny re- signs, that would have an effect on them for sure.
“More importantly, you’ve got two of the best players that have ever worn a Cowboys jersey in Johnathan Thurston and Matt Scott coming to the end of their careers, and transitioning new players in is their biggest challenge as a club.
“If they want to source someone and bring someone in, they’re going to want to know who the coach is.
“You’ve got an Australian front rower in Jordan McLean who left the best coach in the competition ( Melbourne’s Craig Bellamy) to play under him.
“Some clubs they really struggle to attract those big performers and Greeny’s able to do that.
“You’d be mad to pass that up to be honest, because we’ve seen how quickly things can fall apart if you haven’t got the right person with the reins.”
Bellamy is off contract at the end of the season and Kevin Walters, long considered an NRL head coachin- waiting, quit his Broncos assistant coaching post this week.
It necessitates the need for the Cowboys to get an answer.
“That’s probably why the Cowboys boss is saying what he’s saying, you do have the likes of Bellamy off contract and Kevvie, but you’ve also got ( Michael) Maguire and ( Des) Hasler waiting for an opportunity,” Ennis said.
“As much as Laurence would have a great relationship with Paul he has to look after the club as well, so you can understand him wanting a resolution.
“It would be a shame to see him leave there, he seems part of the fabric and it’s that Bellamy/ Bennett scenario where you’d like to see him there as a long- term coach.
“And I think he will be to be honest, that’s my gut feel.”