NRL season 2015: Cowboys aim to keep fullback Micheal Morgan but can’t guarantee No.1 jersey

NORTH Queensland coach Paul Green is confident the Cowboys can retain fullback Michael Morgan even though there is no guarantee he will wear the No. 1 jersey.

The North Queensland Cowboys v South Sydney Rabbitohs from 1300 Smiles Stadium. Cowboys Michael Morgan. Picture: Zak Simmonds

NORTH Queensland coach Paul Green is confident the Cowboys can retain off-contract fullback Michael Morgan even though there is no guarantee he will wear the No.1 jersey next season.

With Lachlan Coote returning from a knee reconstruction and Morgan versatile enough to play fullback, centre or in the halves, Green is treating next year as a clean slate in the club’s bid to finally win a premiership.

Paul Green is hoping Michael Morgan’s local roots will keep him in North Qeeensland.

Morgan was the undoubted breakout star for the Cowboys this year, earning rave reviews for his switch to fullback at short notice when Coote hurt his knee in the Auckland Nines.

By the end of his stunning NRL season, Morgan had been called into Queensland Origin camp, included in Australia’s Four Nations train-on squad and played in the Prime Minister’s XIII side that beat Papua New Guinea.

Still only 23 years and nicknamed White Lightning for his blinding speed, Morgan is the most gifted fullback on the open market for 2016 and sure to attract plenty of interest from southern rivals.

Green believes the Cowboys can retain the club’s former junior stars with the focus on making sure Morgan and off-contract forward Jason Taumalolo are signed.

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“He is a local guy, he has come through our development system. We will be doing everything we can to make sure Morgo is a long term player for us,” Green said.

“I haven’t heard but I’m sure there would be clubs interested. He is a good kid and a good player.”

Green said had been impressed by the speed of Coote’s return from knee surgery and it meant he was seriously considering how best to shape the spine of his side for the year ahead.

“I’ve thought in depth about it but I haven’t made any decisions yet,” Green said.

“We will wait and see how pre-season pans out and see what the best combination is and unfolds as we go.

“(Coote) has worked really hard this year. He probably could’ve come back and played before the end of the season but we thought it wasn’t worth the risk at that stage.

“He is in a really good position. He is fit and well, his knee is not an issue for him so that will be good.’’

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Green said the club still had one more spot on their roster for the new season, but they were not active in the player market which is in somewhat of a silly season with mass transfers across the NRL.

“We’ve probably got room to maybe buy one bloke,” he said. “I think we will probably keep our powder dry at the moment.

“There is always someone who becomes available (early in a season) for different reasons so we will just wait and see.

“It’s a good position to be in. I don’t feel the need to sign anyone, I don’t think we’ve really good too many holes in our roster either. I’m reasonably happy with where we are at.’’