EXCLUSIVE
Canberra coach Neil Henry wants a release to take up a five-year deal to return to North Queensland.
Henry is set to stun Raiders officials by asking for a release from the final year of his contract, knocking back a deal to extend his stay in the nation's capital.
Asked about the development, Cowboys CEO Peter Parr remained tight-lipped. "I haven't commented on the coaching position for a while and I don't have any intention to now, mate," Parr told The Sun-Herald yesterday.
"I'm not going to confirm, deny or comment on the coaching position."
It's expected Henry will ask Canberra chief executive Don Furner for a release today, if he hadn't already done so after last night's match against St George Illawarra.
Should the Raiders stand firm and deny Henry's request, it's understood the Cowboys will elevate deputy Ian Millward into the top job to replace the departing Graham Murray at the end of the season.
The Cowboys are keen to have the matter resolved by the end of the week and Henry is expected to officially sign up in coming days.
It's understood Henry received an offer to extend his contract at the Raiders. However, he has told close friends and family he is disappointed with the deal, which is well below what the Cowboys are offering.
There is even a possibility Henry could join the Cowboys this season should he immediately part company with the Raiders.
Murray is under pressure to see out the year after a disastrous 0-3 start, including Friday night's meek surrender to Brisbane. Should that scenario unfold, Raiders assistant coach David Furner is expected to step into the breach at Canberra.
A move north will be a homecoming for Henry, who was the Cowboys' assistant coach from 2002-06.
After discussions with his family, he is keen to relocate to North Queensland, where he will reunite with star playmakers Johnathan Thurston and Matt Bowen.
The move means that Brisbane have missed out on one of their possible replacements for Wayne Bennett. Broncos boss Bruno Cullen interviewed Henry last week, but must now shift his focus to other candidates. Bennett, who was an early favourite for the Townsville post, remains the wildcard in the ongoing coaching merry-go-round.
Henry has achieved reasonable results with a modest Raiders roster and is regarded one of the better tacticians in the game. Queensland Origin players have lauded the 47-year-old's nous and game plans as a key ingredient in the past two series wins, in which he assisted head coach Mal Meninga.
In another turn in the coaching carousel, the Bulldogs will have to put a pen through one of their candidates to succeed Steve Folkes after Catalans coach Mick Potter signed a three-year deal to take over at St Helens during the week.
It won't be the last twist and turn. Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy is still Brisbane's first choice, but it remains to be seen if the Storm will release him from the final year of his contract.
The Bulldogs and Dragons are likely to cut adrift Folkes and Nathan Brown respectively, while Matthew Elliott is also under pressure to lift the Panthers off the bottom of the ladder.
