Neil Henry had his first experience coaching in a professional rugby league environment 15 years ago with the Western Reds.

He spent 1997, the final year of the Reds before their demise in the Super League war, as the club's under-19 coach.

He returns to Perth today with a NRL coach-of-the-year medal to his name at the helm of the North Queensland Cowboys, who play St George Illawarra in a pre-season trial at nib Stadium on Saturday.

Henry has brought a full complement of players including Johnathan Thurston, last season's Golden Boot Award winner for the world's best player. How much playing time he gets depends on how he recovers from Saturday's NRL All Stars clash.

"Everyone is coming, Thurston, (full-back) Matt Bowen, the whole lot," Henry said.

"At the moment I'm planning to use everyone. This is our first full pre-NRL trial and we're looking forward to a good hit-out.

"When the opportunity came to come to Perth we thought it would be a good chance to have a bit of a camp leading into a trial.

"We've had a good pre-season, and I feel we've got more depth this year.

"We've got to improve our defence. Consistency cost us a bit last year but our attack is looking good.

"It's obviously a long, tough season and injuries are inevitable but with a bit of luck we should be there at the end."

Henry has fond memories of WA and believes Perth is ideally placed for a club in an expanded NRL.

"It makes sense that if you are going to have a national competition you need a WA team," he said.

"It's a good fit for a national competition. There is a good rugby league community, the facilities are good and there is corporate support. There are a lot of positives."

Henry, who has been in charge at the Townsville-based club since 2009, was a teacher in Canberra when he was invited to take over the young Reds team.

He was a foundation member of the Canberra Raiders and was coaching in the Canberra club competition before moving to the Reds.

He coached Raiders lower-grade teams from 1999-2002 before his first stint at the Cowboys as assistant and was assistant to Mal Meninga in four series (2006-2009) of Queensland State of Origin teams.