North Queensland captain Michael Morgan has dismissed reports that he clashed with coach Paul Green at a post-match sponsor’s function as a “beat-up”.
The third-last Cowboys’ dire season appeared to hit a new low when News Corp reported that Green had a heated argument with Morgan over his leadership in front of corporate partners following their 42-6 round 22 NRL loss.
But Morgan on Monday laughed the incident off, saying it was simply a misunderstanding.
“It certainly was a beat up,” Morgan said.
“Someone has obviously taken it the wrong way.
“Myself and Greeny have many discussions about many different things and someone may have heard something and misread something that they thought had something to it.
“I have said many times before that my relationship with Greeny is a very good one and we have no problems at all.”
Morgan even denied that the conversation overheard at the function was even about his leadership.
“It wasn’t about my leadership at all. What part of the discussion they took out of it I am not too sure.
“We have many chats a week. (Considering) the season that we have had, we have probably had a few more than we normally would and that is just what happens when things don’t go to plan.
“What Greeny and I discussed is between us but for it to be taken the way it was is false.”
Morgan even backed Green as the man to turn around their fortunes after the 2015 premiers look set to draw the curtain on a horror season.
“I definitely do. When there is something to talk about for the Cowboys, it has often been negative given the season we have had on field.
“But I strongly believe that Greeny is the right coach to turn us around and move forward next year.”
Morgan said the disastrous season had not turned him off the Cowboys captaincy.
“It has certainly been a challenge this year, there is no doubt about that,” he said.
“At the start of the year I certainly wouldn’t have thought we would have had the ups and downs that we had this year.
“But I have enjoyed the challenge as my first season as captain.
“It’s not been all smooth sailing but I would love to keep doing it.”
While North Queensland’s season had been one to regret, Morgan said he would savour their last home game at 1300SMILES Stadium against Canterbury on Thursday night.
The Cowboys shift to the new $250 million, 25,000-capacity North Queensland Stadium in Townsville’s CBD next year.