Green hoping for better performance

BRISBANE: Under-presaure coach Paul Green hopes Queensland’s football does the talking for him with captain Daly Cherry-Evans admitting a win tonight (8.10pm kick-off) will help to keep them both in a job.
New South Wales (NSW) have already secured the State of Origin series and – up 76-6 after two games – remain in the box seat to complete the most lopsided campaign in history at Gold Coast’s Cbus Super Stadium.
A 0-26 loss in Brisbane was the Maroons’ first scoreless effort at home and followed a record 6-50 hiding in Townsville that set the tone.
Off-field dramas have compounded Green’s problems during his first campaign in charge, with Ronaldo Mulitalo’s eligibility dramas and Jai Arrow’s Covid-19 breach creating unprecedented headaches.
Former NSW coach Phil Gould believes Green won’t coach Queensland next season regardless of tonight’s result, criticising his selections, leadership and negativity after the Brisbane loss.
The former North Queensland premiership winner didn’t bite yesterday, smiling back at questions about his coaching future and delivering a simple message.
“There’s nothing I can say; what’s going to count is how we play,” he said.
“The time for talking is probably done, we need to show more action.
“That’s (my future as Queensland coach) out of my hands, I’m not even worried or thinking about it.
“Just stick solid, stick by us, we’ll be right.”
Cherry-Evans’ leadership has also taken a hammering just one year after it had been celebrated in an unlikely underdog Queensland series win.
“With that sort of stuff, we understand that situation,” he said.
“If you’re not winning games, the coach and playing group, in particular the leaders, come under the most scrutiny.
“If we get a win, it’s going to help Green retain his job — and players like myself — but I’m really confident in where we are and what we’re doing.
“Green is doing the best job he can and unfortunately, the results haven’t reflected the hard work he has put in,” – AAP