Winger likely to leave Cowboys

SPECULATION is mounting the North Queensland Cowboys are set to part ways with 2019 signing Nene Macdonald following an incident on Magnetic Island.

The incident which saw Macdonald flee the scene of a crash on June 20, was being investigated by the club, with the 25-year-old expected to receive a notice to appear in court.

The club refused to comment on speculation of parting ways with Macdonald when contacted by the Townsville Bulletin.

Macdonald is the second 2019 signing to face the ire of police and the Cowboys, after star signing Ben Barba was sacked in the pre-season in the fallout from an assault incident on Australia Day, before he pleaded guilty of two counts of public nuisance in Mackay Magistrates Court.

Macdonald, who was disciplined in the pre-season for being late to training, is currently recovering from a fracture and dislocation of the left ankle sustained against the Melbourne Storm in April.

While there was no set date of return, Macdonald, a former Cairns junior said his rehab work had been progressing strongly.

“I’m staying on top of it (rehab) with the Cowboys and they’ve been looking after me,” Macdonald said from Kayo’s NRL Mascot Race to Magic Round in Brisbane in May.

“Everything is on track and 4-6 months is looking good, so hopefully I’ll be back at the end of the year. That’s the goal.”

However, Macdonald may now have already played his last game for the Cowboys after five games, following 91 for Sydney, Gold Coast and St George.