21 Aug 2010

Cowboys board hold explosive board meeting

7:02 am on 21 August 2010

North Queensland's nightmare national Rugby League season has culminated in a high-powered board meeting to determine why they'ves become the cellar-dwellers.

The board is expected to continue to probe the Cowboys' poor NRL season after a seven-hour meeting in Townsville on Friday.

There was no official comment following the day-long review during which a number of hot topics were discussed, including the performances of the club's coaching and training staff.

Club chairman Laurence Lancini last week refused to guarantee anyone's position at the club, including chief executive Peter Parr and coach Neil Henry, who is two seasons into a five-year deal.

It's understood Henry's deal includes a clause to terminate the final year should he fail to get to the finals in four seasons.

The Cowboys have again been ravaged by injury and suspension but their return of just five wins from 21 games led to the inquisition.

The Cowboys, who have recruited Warriors centre Brent Tate and Brisbane pair Ashton Sims and Antonio Winterstein for 2011, have refuted rumours they are trying to off-load Origin centre Willie Tonga who has two more years to run on his contract.