Cowboys coach Paul Green still wrestling with finalising best 17

Off-field dramas, recent signings and the devastating Townsville floods have affected Paul Green’s preparation to put together his best 17 for their round one match.

Cowboys coach Paul Green is still undecided on his best 17. Picture: Getty

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Cowboys’ coach Paul Green admits he is still undecided on his starting side for next week’s clash against the Dragons.

Off-field dramas, recent signings and the devastating Townsville floods have affected Green’s preparation to put together his best 17 for their round one match.

North Queensland’s head coach said the club’s disrupted preseason meant he was still yet to determine several key positions, including Michael Morgan’s partner in the halves.

When asked whether he had settled on his round one team, Green answered “I’m not sure”.

Cowboys coach Paul Green is still undecided on his best 17. Picture: Getty

“We did lose two weeks of training and the timing of it was probably the most important thing there,” he said.

“Part of our plan for that period was to really focus on that team stuff. Not only did we lose a key player (Ben Barba) but we just weren’t able to train. Physically, I think we’re pretty good. It’s probably more the teamwork and working out those combinations.

“I think the majority of the team I’m settled on but there’s still a couple of positions in the spine.”

Young guns Jake Clifford and Te Maire Martin are gunning for the No.6 jersey to complete the Cowboys’ spine (hooker, halfback, five-eighth and fullback).

Green gave both players 40 minutes each to impress in the five-eighth position during Saturday night’s trial match in Mackay but confessed they were both “neck and neck” for the round one spot.

The Cowboys’ mentor said he would be looking at several different combinations to complement Morgan and potential fullback Jordan Kahu.

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“I’ve got to go over the game a couple times over the weekend,” he said.

“I would say (Kahu plays fullback) at this stage. I still have to go through a few things and different combinations. (Kahu’s) a good player, an experienced player, a professional. He’s got a good calm nature about himself. Fullback is his preferred position. He really wants to have a crack.”

North Queensland will also welcome back key forwards Matt Scott and Jordan McLean this season after injuries ruled them out for much of last year.

Will Jake Clifford partner Michael Morgan in the halves? Picture: Getty

Former Broncos’ enforcer Josh McGuire has also been added to the monster forward pack and is likely to earn the No. 13 spot following his performance on Saturday night.

“The hardest thing last year was the injuries we copped and the timing of those injuries so we weren’t able to put our best forward pack on the paddock consistently,” Green said.

“So if we can manage to do that (avoid injuries) at the start of this year hopefully we’ll see some good footy among it.”

Originally published as Cowboys coach Paul Green still wrestling with finalising best 17