Energy surge key for Green

IT is all about energy for Cowboys coach Paul Green.

So much hype built up to North Queensland’s first appearance on their new home turf.

Given it was the first chance to look at a crop of new recruits and the coronavirus outbreak is set to lock spectators out from round two, fans charged through the gates and created an electric atmosphere from kick-off.

But Michael Morgan and his team simply could not sustain the intensity throughout the 80 minutes, a fact lamented by their mentor.

While the Cowboys never said die, scoring two late tries to make a game of it, Green said it was hardly cause for celebration.

The reality was, he said, they needed to start like that and not let the scoreboard influence their effort.

“I think it was (a matter of) when we played with energy, I think both teams played with energy they just got out to a lead,” Green said.

“I go back to our starts, we needed more energy at the starts. Sometimes letting the scoreboard dictate the energy and urgency you play with, we have to get out of that habit there’s no doubt.”

While the 28-21 scoreline was far from what the majority of the 22,459 attendees wanted to see, they certainly found their voice whenever Valentine Holmes was in the fray.

It was a mixed bag from the marquee recruit, a knock on with his first touch followed by a second that led to the opening try through Broncos rake Jake Turpin.

However he proved he still had the gifts that made him a State of Origin star, by scoring his side’s opening try and setting up another for Kyle Feldt.

Green said in the lead up to the clash that Holmes and his new-look backline would take time to click into gear.

There were promising signs from the fullback-halves contingent, but it was their lack of control in key moments the Cowboys coach hoped to rectify in the coming weeks.

He said while his key combinations were still syncing together, efficient defence and a smart kicking game were crucial – elements missing at Queensland Country Bank Stadium.

“If he (Holmes) does his job week in week out the brilliance will come because we know he’s capable of that,” Green said.

“There were some nice touches there, plenty of potential there, but while we’re building those combinations we know our game is not going to be 100 per cent spot on straight up.”