Halves stint to help Asiata shine at prop

Lessons learned in the halves will help re-signed North Queensland utility John Asiata shine at prop, Cowboys coach Paul Green says.

The 106kg Asiata sparked interest from five rival NRL clubs when he showed his remarkable versatility by filling in for injured North Queensland playmaker Johnathan Thurston for three weeks.

After Asiata stayed loyal to re-sign with the Cowboys for another three years, Green believes the hulking utility can use the experience gained from filling in for Thurston to make a name for himself in the front row.

He said the game management learned as Thurston's replacement would make him a dangerous proposition at prop.

"He's always telling me he is actually a five-eighth and not a front-rower," Green said.

"But what he learned by playing those couple of weeks starting (for Thurston) he needs to take with him.

"Now he's got those skills and the nous, even though he's wearing No.8 how he plays his game is really up to him."

Bench regular Asiata started three games in the halves - one at halfback and two at pivot - before slotting into the front row in last round's win over Canterbury.

It's a remarkable effort but Green believed Cowboys fans ain't seen nothing yet.

"He's early in his development pathway. There is a lot of untapped potential for Johnny," he said.

"His best footy is ahead of him.

"He had better offers financially elsewhere but chose to stay. That's a huge tick for Johnny but also the club."

Former Penrith junior Asiata reportedly received interest from Gold Coast, Manly, Newcastle, South Sydney and Cronulla but opted to stay put with his first child on the way.

"There were other clubs that wanted me to head back to Sydney considering it is home," Asiata said.

"It was the best decision for me to stay here considering I have a newborn on the way with the wife, settling in with her parents up here just made things easier."