North Queensland Cowboys senior players want say on who replaces Neil Henry as coach

STILL bewildered their coach was sacked, senior Cowboys players are adamant they must have a vote in who claims the "King's" throne.

Johnathan Thurston

STILL bewildered their coach was sacked, senior Cowboys players are adamant they must have a vote in who claims the "King's" throne.

North Queensland’s co-captain Johnathan Thurston said he hoped the Cowboys' board would consult senior players, while Australian prop James Tamou said the entire playing group should be asked for their opinion on who steers them in 2014.

Cowboys players have also revealed their shock at Neil “King" Henry's dumping with hooker Ray Thompson admitting, "I never saw it coming".

Now the Cowboys are hanging in finals contention with two big wins in their most recent games, their coach for 2014 and beyond will only be announced when their season is finished.

Henry's likely destination appears either the Wests Tigers or St George Illawarra, with both clubs interested in using him as an assistant.

Like several players in the Cowboys, Tamou has had only Henry as a first grade coach.

Tamou said only the men on the frontline truly knew what was required to make their team a premiership contender.

Asked if players should have a say on the coaching appointment, the giant front-rower said: "Definitely. Only we know as players how each other are feeling and what's needed.

"I think senior players should (have a say).

"I also think the senior playing group should then address the rest of the team about it.

"We are all putting in for him (Henry). On the field we could have won a few more games to help his cause."

New Zealand Warriors players last year mounted a social media campaign for their then assistant Tony Iro to be named Brian McLennan's replacement.

When Matt Elliott was ultimately chosen, without the group's consent, Kevin Locke and Shaun Johnson again took to Twitter to voice their disapproval.

If the Cowboys players have a strong voice in the selection process, that embarrassment will not be repeated in Townsville.

Thurston echoed Tamou's opinion.

“I think the board will have the final say, but I'm sure the players will have input into who they are looking at and who they are thinking of," he said.

“The players and new coach need to work closely, so the club will I'm sure get some of the senior players' opinions on who gets the job."

In-form hooker Thompson, who bagged a hat-trick of tries in the Cowboys’ 36-4 romp over Penrith, said he was caught unawares when news broke of Henry's sacking two weeks ago.

“There was a lot of talk about it but I didn't think it would happen," Thompson said.

“He's been my only coach and he gave me an opportunity.

“He's been so professional about it. I'm forever grateful to him."

The Tigers and Dragons both have head coaches, Mick Potter and Steve Price, who are under severe scrutiny and while they are expected to survive in 2014 they will have a dramatic restructuring of their assistant coaches.

Henry is in pole position to be part of the new staff at either club.