Nothing will surpass 2015: NQ coach

Sep 26, 2017 - 6:57 AM Nothing will surpass North Queensland's maiden 2015 NRL premiership triumph even if the Cowboys again defy the odds and win this year's title from eighth, Paul Green says.

The Cowboys coach admitted he had never seen an injury crisis like the one that had struck down North Queensland this season, ensuring they were written off before the NRL finals even began.

Still Green believed their 2015 premiership would be more special to his underdog outfit even if they were to pull off a grand final boilover against Melbourne on Sunday.

"Any time a club wins its first premiership, that is special," he said.

"If we are lucky enough for results to go our way on Sunday night I think it will be a special moment - any premiership is special.

"But you only get one chance to win the first one.

"That is why 2015 will probably always be pretty special."

The Cowboys looked to have yet another injury scare when co-captain Gavin Cooper and centre Justin O'Neill were rested from training on Tuesday.

The pair were later cleared but the Cowboys have enough to worry about nursing John Asiata (hand), Ethan Lowe (cheekbone), Coen Hess (knee) and Antonio Winterstein (ribs) through to the final.

All are certain to play including Asiata despite suffering a fresh break in his left hand in North Queensland's preliminary final win over Sydney Roosters.

Green gave his team the all clear on Tuesday, standing by his call to overlook recovering co-captain Matt Scott for his grand final 17.

It was good news for bench forward Corey Jensen who looked set to make way for the Test prop.

"I don't remember a year as tough from an injury perspective," Green said.

"I think we have used 32 players, which is a lot more than in past years.

"One day I will sit down and talk about the story of our year - John (Asiata) is an example of that but I think it will be unfair just to single him out.

"We will get Sunday out of the way and the story can be told but I am proud of what all the players have done all year."

The Cowboys' stunning extra-time 2015 win is fresh on Green's mind as North Queensland prepare to fly out to Sydney on Wednesday.

Green admitted he was using the same pre-match plan from two years ago to help the Cowboys avoid the overwhelming hype in Townsville before adopting a siege mentality in Sydney.

Thousands of fans piled into 1300SMILES Stadium on Tuesday after the Cowboys threw open the gates for their final home training session.

And thousands more are expected to line the streets to send off the Cowboys in a grand final parade on their way to Townsville airport on Wednesday.

"Grand final week is not a normal week. You have to enjoy the hype but not let it distract you - you have to find a balance and we got it right in 2015," Green said.

Source: AAP