Australian captain Cameron Smith has given a ringing endorsement for Kevin Walters as a potential North Queensland coach amid confirmation by the Cowboys' board that incumbent Neil Henry is not wanted for 2014.
Henry will leave at the end of this season after being tapped on the shoulder by the club.
It's understood the former Canberra and Queensland assistant coach's fate was sealed following the Cowboys' 18-16 loss to Brisbane on Friday night which ended their remote finals hopes.
Currently an assistant to Craig Bellamy at premiers Melbourne, Walters had already declared his interest in taking a head coaching role on returning to Queensland after this season.
Melbourne captain Smith said the 45-year-old former five-eighth would suit the struggling Cowboys, who have Test stars Johnathan Thurston, Matt Scott and James Tamou in their ranks.
"He's a Queenslander so that's a great fit there already," the Test and Queensland skipper said on Monday.
"He's got a relationship with a lot of players at the North Queensland Cowboys.
"He knows the majority of the players up there quite well so I think it would be a good fit. But I'm not going to comment on whether he should get the job or not."
Henry had been under pressure for much of the season as the Cowboys' board expected far better results with leading playmaker Thurston among their swag of big names.
North Queensland missed the finals in his first two years in Townsville in 2009 and 2010 but he steered the club into the playoffs in 2011 and 2012.
Under Henry, the Cowboys have won 52 of 117 games for a 44 per cent success rate.
Smith insisted there were few men better credentialled for a first shot at a NRL head coaching role than Walters, who played in five premierships for Brisbane and also guided French club Catalans in Super League.
"When you talk about credentials, I don't think there'd be too many better than Kevvie as far as a player's concerned," he said.
"He's won premierships; he's played State of Origin; he's represented Australia - he's been involved in the coaching game for a long time now."
Smith also said Walters would be dearly missed by the Storm, with his manner a useful contrast to head coach Craig Bellamy.
"It would be sad to see him leave because he's a character," he said.
"He's a great foil for Craig because Craig's so intense all the time and Kevvie, he doesn't mind cracking a joke and lightens the mood around the place."
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