NRL 2015: Cowboys coach Paul Green praises pre-season work of new recruit Jake Granville

COWBOYS coach Paul Green has praised the pre-season work of new recruit Jake Granville as he strives to prove he is an NRL-class talent.

The NQ Cowboys pre-season training at the Townsville Sports Reserve. Jake Granville. Picture: Wesley Monts

NORTH Queensland Cowboys coach Paul Green has praised the pre-season work of new recruit Jake Granville as the former Wynnum Manly hooker strives to prove he is an NRL-class talent.

Green, a former two-time premiership coach with the Seagulls has reunited with Granville at the Cowboys after the hooker spent two years on the NRL periphery with the Brisbane Broncos.

“Jake’s going really well, he was quickest at the club over 40m so he’s doing really well,” Green said.

“I think he’ll add something to us this year, speed around the ruck.

“Hooker is probably the most contentious position at the moment but he’s training well so we’ll see what happens.”

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Jake Granville (C) has his work cut out to claim a spot in the starting team.

The Cowboys have also welcomed another former Bronco in Ben Hannant and Green said he was a big addition for the side.

“He adds a lot of experience, he’s obviously played in the front row at Test level and State of Origin so I think he’ll be a really good addition,” he said.

“He will take over from what Ashton Sims gave us last year.”

The Cowboys made the finals in Green’s first year as an NRL head coach, just missing out on the top-four finish, despite a poor start to the season.

Preparing for his second year in charge in Townsville, Green said he had learnt a lot from his rookie season as an NRL coach.

“Just managing your time is the main thing,” he said.

“There’s so many other things you’ve got to do apart from just coaching the team so that’s probably the best lesson I’ve learnt.”

Green said their start was the main thing he wanted to fix in 2015.

“We didn’t get off to a great start last year at all,” Green said.

“The guys were still getting used to what we were doing so hopefully we’re a bit further down the track with that stuff this year and can start the year better.”