North Queensland coach Paul Green’s inside knowledge of his former club the Sydney Roosters could be a crucial factor in Friday’s NRL semi-final, his ex-premiership winning players say.

Under rookie head coach Trent Robinson, assistant Green was a vital ingredient in the Roosters’ brains trust that took out the 2013 NRL title.

This time last year Green was plotting the Tricolours surge to their 13th title, now he is plotting their demise.

And the world club champions’ representative back-rower Boyd Cordner acknowledged on Monday, Green’s insight could be a key factor in the Allianz Stadium clash.

“He knows our players, even though we have been doing some things differently this year,” Cordner said.

“Greeny has got them going well at the right time of the season.

“It is a bit of an advantage, but we have a job to do Friday night, and if we can play some of our best footy the way we know we can, we will be pretty tough to beat.

“He is a very disciplined guy and he loves to win, it is no surprise to us to see the Cowboys going well.

“With the roster they have got, they are going to be really tough.”

Roosters halfback Mitchell Pearce added: “Greeny has got them really hungry.”

“With Greeny going there he has got them playing a similar style to us and it is all about who completes best and builds more pressure.”

Cordner was readying for a battle against the Cowboys’ intimidating forward pack that boasts Kangaroos props Matt Scott, James Tamou and in-form backrowers Jason Taumalolo and Gavin Cooper.

“The battle with the Cowboys will be massive, they have a couple of Test props and Matty Scott is playing some of his best football,” he said.

“Also Jimmy (Tamou) has been awesome off the bench for them.

“But it is not just those two it is their whole forward pack, Jason Taumalolo and Gavin Cooper are playing some outstanding football.

“They are a really great team and a tough forward pack, and they have a pretty crafty No.7 so they are going to be really tough.”