COWBOYS COACH SWINGS AXE
COWBOYS coach Paul Green has wielded the axe, dropping Justin O’Neill, Ethan Lowe and Lachlan Coote as the club desperately tries to save its season.
Green has completely reshuffled his backline for Friday night’s home clash against the Warriors, with winger Antonio Winterstein (knee injury) also ruled out.
Kyle Feldt and Enari Tuala are the only survivors from the back five that lost to Parramatta last week.
In an ominous sign, Coote, Lowe and O’Neill are also all off contract, as is the injured Winterstein. And in another powerful statement, Green axed Coote from his entire 21-man squad, with the undersiege fullback set to play for the Mackay Cutters in the Intrust Super Cup this week.
Green said it was not the end for the trio in the NRL this season but their form had forced his hand.
“We’re at that point (of cutting players) given our performance on Saturday night. Something had to change,” he said.
“From here on in, my responsibility is to pick the best team I think can get the job done on the weekend.
“All of them can (come back), but we’re trying to find some consistency with how we play. When that comes, I’m not sure.
“That’s probably one of the worst parts of the job is to tell someone he’s not in the team. You know they’re good players but for different reasons they’re just not quite at their best at the moment.”
Michael Morgan, who is carrying a groin injury, will replace Coote at fullback.
Kane Linnett will return to the centres for O’Neill, and Javid Bowen will start on the wing for Winterstein.
In the forwards, the Cowboys will welcome back Scott Bolton (rib).
Ben Hampton returns as the bench utility.