Waiting game over stalled Green deal
COWBOYS assistant coach Todd Payten has conceded off- contract stars may wait until the Paul Green saga is resolved before deciding to sign on the dotted line after chairman Laurence Lancini threatened to pull his three- year contract offer.
Lancini told The Townsville Bulletin yesterday he wants an answer from the 2015 premiership- winning coach “sooner rather than later” after being left frustrated by protracted negotiations over the past six months.
“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.”
Payten fronted the media this morning before the team flew out to Auckland to prepare for tomorrow’s clash with the Warriors, where they will be desperate to snap a threegame losing streak.
Payten said he was shocked by Lancini’s public ultimatum, but doesn’t believe it will distract the team as they look to get their season back on track.
“I wouldn’t like to think so, it’s been going on for a while now,” Payten said.
“Both parties have stated they want him to stay, so I think it’s going to sorted sooner rather than later.
“I was a bit surprised, but I guess he ( Lancini) has got club’s interests.”
Asked if players might hold off signing until it’s resolved, Payten said: “It’s a possibility.
“I think Greeny’s had a big influence on all the players at the club. For them wanting to see what he’s doing, it’s probably natural.”
The Green news came on the same day Queensland coach Kevin Walters, long considered an NRL headcoach- in- waiting, opted to step down from his Broncos assistant coaching role.
Storm mentor Craig Bellamy is also off- contract, necessitating the Cowboys’ urgency for an answer from Green.
Green has been linked to the Broncos coaching job with Wayne Bennett off contract at the end of 2019, but the to look after the Cowboys have made it clear won’t offer him a one- year deal.
The Cowboys have a number of key players off contract including Justin O’Neill, Ethan Lowe, Lachlan Coote, Jake Granville, Kane Linnett and Antonio Winterstein.
On the eve of signing a five- year deal early last month, star five- eighth Michael Morgan admitted he considered waiting to see what Green decides before recommitting.
“I have thought about it, because we’ve all said how good a coach we think he is,” Morgan said.
“It did cross my mind so that is one issue I still have with it, waiting to see what’s he’s doing. “I hope he stays. “I’ve learned a lot off him and I still am; he’s a great coach and very smart with the game.” they