May 29th, 2018

May 29th, 2018

Nine NRL reporter Neil Breen has said that Wayne Bennett is officially in his last year with the Broncos.

Speaking on 100% Footy, Breen explained that Bennett was told of his future by the Broncos in a meeting that was ironically asked for by the veteran coach himself.

“The situation is Bennett’s finished at the Broncos,” Breen said.

“Wayne Bennett called the meeting with the board and [Broncos CEO] Paul White to say I want to talk about 2020 and beyond, and they said ‘we’re glad you came in, you’re not the person, we’re going to be succession planning in place’.

“They went into that meeting with Wayne that Wayne called and said ‘Wayne, it’s over’.”

(AAP) Photo: AAP

The hot favourite to replace the seven-time premiership winning coach has been Melbourne Storm coach Craig Bellamy, and Breen suggested that “the whole ball is in Bellamy’s court” with regards to the Broncos job.

The situation is that away from these contracts, Bellamy is breaking up with one manager and signing up with a new manager,” Breen said.

“He doesn’t want to sign any contract until he has the new deal with the new manager and the deal with the old manager is finished.

“If Bellamy says he’ll go there next year, that’s it the Broncos will pay Bennett out.”

(AAP) Photo: AAP

According to Breen, the Storm are in damage control trying to retain their premiership-winning coach.

“[Storm owner Bart Campbell] is stunned by this approach by the Broncos and they want to fight as hard as they can to keep him, but I think there’s a real chance he could go,” Breen said.

Former Broncos star and current Queensland Origin coach Kevin Walters is said to be one of the main candidates to replace Bennett, but Breen suggested that Walters may no longer want the job.

“When Wayne left, they overlooked [Walters] and went for Ivan Henjak, and then they overlooked him again and went for Anthony Griffin, then they overlooked him again and went for Wayne Bennett again,” Breen said.

(AAP) Photo: AAP

“Now they’ve overlooked [Walters] for a fourth time and are going for Craig Bellamy.

“So I can’t see that it’s [Walters], so I think it leaves them in a really vulnerable position.”

Former New South Wales coach Phil Gould stated that Brisbane will look to an experienced head to replace Bennett.

“I don’t think they’ll make the mistake again of losing Wayne Bennett and putting a rookie in,” Gould said.

“When they lost Wayne Bennett last time, they put Henjak in: disaster.

“They will have to go and get a name coach from somewhere, even if he’s coaching at another club.”