Broncos loss to become North Queensland coach Neil Henry's last rites

NORTH Queensland will formally begin their search for a new coach with Neil Henry expected to be sacked this week by the Cowboys board.

Neil Henry

NORTH Queensland will formally begin their search for a new coach with Neil Henry expected to be sacked this week by the Cowboys board.

The Courier-Mail has learned the Cowboys board agreed to rescind a 2014 extension for Henry before last night's clash against the Broncos in Townsville.

Henry will be told of his fate early next week, with last night's heartbreaking 18-16 loss to Brisbane effectively representing the last rites for the veteran coach.

Cowboys chairman Laurence Lancini will meet with Henry this week, where the 52-year-old is likely to be informed his services for next season will not be required.

Lancini declined to comment last night, while Henry expressed shock at suggestions he is set to be terminated after five seasons at the helm.

"I've had no communication with the board," Henry said.

"It's news to me."

The Cowboys gave Henry a one-year extension in March, buying more time to make a long-term decision on the coaching position.

Sadly for Henry, his team has done his prospects of survival few favours, underlined by another erratic performance against the Broncos last night.

Prior to this round, North Queensland were languishing three wins outside the top eight and will be eliminated from finals reckoning should they drop a single game over the closing seven weeks.

Henry's future has been on life support since May, but the Cowboys have declined to make a call until now.

It's understood chairman Lancini - just returned from overseas - will personally break the news to Henry.

In an interview on Thursday, Henry admitted his future was far from certain.

"It remains to be seen whether I am a part of it next year," he said.

"The board have been up front and honest with me. I'm sure I would know if they were canvassing other coaches. If they were going to look at other coaches, I'm sure they would tap me on the shoulder, but that hasn't happened yet."

Paul Green, Brad Arthur and Trent Barrett have all been mentioned as possible replacements, but Melbourne assistant Kevin Walters yesterday shot into calculations when he quit the Storm.

The former Catalans head coach told Melbourne players of his decision on Thursday and will travel back to Queensland the conclusion of their 2013 campaign.

Walters is understood to have support from Cowboys board member Ben Ikin, a former Brisbane Broncos team mate.

Wayne Bennett is also a fan of Walters and the super coach's endorsement could prove vital.

Walters was runner-up to succeed Tim Sheens at the Tigers, only to be narrowly pipped by current Wests coach Mick Potter.

Sheens has remained on the payroll for the past 10 months.

But The Courier-Mail has learned the Tigers will refuse to continue paying the Australian Test coach after failing to settlement talks broke down in recent weeks.

Sheens has more than a year remaining on his contract at Concord and must now sue the Tigers to earn a full pay-out.