Cowboys eye Macdonald for winger
THE Cowboys are closing in on the first piece of their rebuilding puzzle as Maroons hopeful Nene Macdonald eyes a move to North Queensland.
Macdonald is homesick at the Dragons and contemplating leaving St George Illawarra to link with North Queensland next season.
The Cowboys are on the hunt for a new winger to replace retired Antonio Winterstein, who pulled the plug on his career a fortnight ago due to a chronic knee injury.
Macdonald is contracted to the Dragons next season, but is weighing up requesting a release. The Papua New Guinea international was raised in Cairns and a move to Townsville would take him closer to home.
Macdonald, 24, has been earmarked as a future Queensland Origin player and is being closely monitored by Maroons selectors and coach Kevin Walters.
He made his NRL debut for the Roosters in 2014 before linking with the Gold Coast Titans midway through the 2015 season.
Macdonald scored 14 tries in 34 games for the Titans, but the Gold Coast baulked at offering him an upgraded contract, which opened the door for the Dragons to pounce. Macdonald has been a revelation at the Dragons with his slick try- scoring ability over the past two seasons,
He has scored nine tries in 17 games this season, but has been sidelined with a nagging foot injury for the past three weeks.
Macdonald could become North Queensland’s first recruit for the 2019 season as coach Paul Green looks to rebuild the Cowboys into a premiership force.
Fullback Lachlan Coote and outside backs Kane Linnett and Javid Bowen are expected to leave the club at season’s end.