Brisbane players have shown where their allegiances lie in the power struggle between Wayne Bennett and Paul White by snubbing a function at the chief executive’s house.

White hosted a barbecue at his place on Friday, just a day after the loss to the Cowboys in Townsville. When the players learned that Bennett had declined to attend, a large contingent opted to spend the evening at his house instead. While the majority of players stopped in briefly for the official function at White’s home, many left early to spend the evening with the seven-time premiership coach.

Battlelines drawn: Brisbane CEO Paul White and coach Wayne Bennett are at loggerheads. Credit:AAP

The move is a clear signal that Bennett has not lost the dressing room and that his players are siding with him in his battle with the Broncos hierarchy.

“It was embarrassing for Paul White and his wife, because after a while there was practically no one there, just a few staff members,” a source said.