The prodigal son has returned. Wayne Bennett, the coach who led the Brisbane Broncos to six premierships in his two decades in charge at the club, has signed a three year deal with the club, according to repots today.
Bennett will replace current coach Anthony Griffin, who was told earlier today that his services would not be required for the 2015 season, despite having the support of the players and a year left to run on his contract.
Chief executive Paul White said the decision made at the weekend was based on the club’s results over the past couple of years.
“As tough as this decision’s been, I accept that decision – as does Anthony,” White told reporters.
“And I want to make it clear that my support for `Hook’, the club, and all the people within is absolute, our new incoming coach of 2015 will have that same level of support.”
It’s understood players were told of the news at a crisis meeting at the club’s Red Hill headquarters late Monday morning.
Brisbane currently sit sixth on the NRL ladder following their stirring 28-22 win over the Warriors at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night.
Griffin said he was disappointed but remained adamant he wouldn’t lay the blame on anyone about the situation.
“It’s a big bad world out there; it’s business,” he said.
“Life’s full of challenges and this is one of them.
“I’ve done everything in my power to get the club to this point. It’s in a position where it’s going to succeed.
“For me personally, I’m looking forward to the next 10 weeks.”
While Griffin admitted he could simply walk out of the club now, he had no intention of doing so.
“I’ve spent a lot of time here, I enjoy my role and we’ve got the team into a very good position this year,” he added.
“We’ve got a fantastic opportunity over the next 10 to 12 weeks.”
Griffin was good humoured throughout the press conference, refusing to consider himself a victim. He asked the media at the end to respect the fact that he’s still in charge for the next ten weeks, and the Broncos have a game to win on Friday.
The chances of that happening with Wayne Bennett around seem slim.
Bennett returns to the Broncos after six years away. He spent three years at St George Illawarra where he won one premiership, and three years at his current club the Newcastle Knights. Bennett announced last week that he wouldn’t be seeing out his contract at the Knights.
A report in the Sydney Morning Herald from Roy Masters sparked the frenzy, and by 11am the Broncos had held a meeting with the players to inform them that Bennett would be taking over from Griffin for the 2015 season on a three-year tenure.
Masters also hinted that Bennett’s arrival would be the start of a succession plan, with Kevin Walters to take over from Bennett as head coach at the club after three years, with the veteran mentor to step back into a management role.
The news quickly spread through all news outlets that Bennett had agreed to a three-year deal worth a reported $4 million.
Griffin has so far notched 31 wins, 34 losses and a draw in his 66 games in charge at Brisbane, where he oversaw a period of transition after the retirements of Darren Lockyer and Petero Civoniceva.
The other piece in the puzzle was Broncos CEO Paul White, who is set to remain in his current role. In his article this morning, Masters says White was a strong supporter of Griffin’s, and hinted his role would come under scrutiny if Bennett were to return to the coaching job.
The eye
Guest
Scrubbitt you're classic delusional..troll ? Puh..leaze !
Mr Sportsbet
Roar Rookie
Bennett does not need luck - This is the greatest day of being a Bronco Fan since 2009.
Scrubbit
Guest
Prince was a bargain gamble. They only paid half his salary while titans paid the other half. Wallace was successful however injuries limited his impact and led to poor form. Mick Ennis was great for Brisbane while he was there. So was Teo. You're reaching for straws that simply aren't there troll, and Vidot (despite recent bad behaviour) has been exceptional for Brisbane.
Marco
Guest
This smells like a news ltd. marketing ploy. Bennett will be good for promoting the news ltd. owned Broncos. But Bennett hasn't had much success as a coach in recent years.
The eye
Guest
So there hasn't been a decent buy in 10 years,because that is the minimum number of years ago that this list retired from the game,Im far from a hater but believe astute recruiting which Wallace,Prince and Barba weren't,compare Manly,storm and Penrith,is essentially something that the Broncos have sadly lacked in the current era of which I fear Wayne Bennett at $4 mill.is the culmination.
Johnno
Guest
Don you left out Dale Shearer, he was at Manly then moved to the Broncos and Peter Jackson, who was at he Raiders. Ben Barba is there only failure.
Muzz
Guest
McGuire won't have a problem finding another club.
Scrubbit
Guest
I don't know about Kennedy getting a release. Bennett seems like the type to get a motor up him and if he doesn't take, well we all know old waynes not afraid to give someone the old tap on the shoulder. I expect Hannant to be resigned now (Bennett loves him and tbh he deserves it. Also I'm pretty sure Bennett was trying to get him a release to sign him to Newcastle). Parker and Hodges will probably remain co captains, although expect Hodges to get a tap on the shoulder soon. Boyd IMO should go to the Raiders. Not much media annoyance out there.
Steve
Guest
1.Millford 2.Boyd 3.Copley 4.Oates 5.vidot 6.Barba 7.Hunt 8.Mcquire 9.mccolloch 10.Parker(c) 11.Thaiday 12.Glenn 13.Gillett Have to agree with Nathan on Oates at centre, he's big ,quick and mobile sounds like another centre I know (inglis) Hodges time is up , been fantastic over the years
Sideline Comm.
Guest
Many philosophers would agree.
Don
Roar Rookie
Yeah, I think saying that Hodges and Thaiday won't be there and that Boyd will be there is a stretch. Oates belongs in the 2nd row and will star there. Barba will be sat down and told lift or leave and the choice won't be his. Also, Bennett will recruit a few guys and move some 2nd tier players on. I'll bet McGuire is regretting saying publicly he doesn't want to play under Bennett. Bennett has a history of moving on big heads and, by almost saying he will leave the Broncos, McGuire has just taken a negotiating position away when dealing with other clubs. Clubs knew they would probably have to pay "overs" to get him away from the Broncos, now they won't have to. I'd say Kennedy might get the release he wants too.
T bone
Guest
Wow... They would have to score 30 a games to post a win
Nathan
Guest
1.millford 2.boyd 3.copley 4.oates 5.vidot 6.barba 7.hunt 8.hannant 9.mcolloch 10.taylor(bring him back) 11.gillett 12.glenn 13.parker (c) Coach WAYNE BENNETT Welcome back mate
Andrew
Guest
"Feel sorry for Griffin". Me too. What happens if the broncos will the comp? haha
Don
Roar Rookie
Lazarus, Chris Johns, Terry Matterson, Tony Currie, Kevin Walters, Darren Smith, Trevor Gilmeister, Gavin Allen, Kevin Campion, Gorden Tallis... all premiership players bought by the Broncos from other clubs. Not a bad list? Plus they developed a heap of young guys into superstars of the 90s and 2000s. Not a Broncos fan but you have to take your hat off to what they did for 20 years until Bennett left in 2008 and then so did an absolute stack of players at the same time. Canterbury picked up Ennis, Eastwood, Hannant and Stagg from the Broncos in the one off season.
Damien
Roar Guru
Thats for sure. The segment on NRL 360 last week when Paul Kent asked Ben Ikin what the story was between the two was surreal. To Paul Kent's credit I though he handled the asking and follow up part of that segment with respect. Ben Ikin looked hurt/sad when talking about Tallis' distaste for Bennett. And he was quite right in basically saying 'What can you do ?'. My 2 cents is that Tallis has let his bias against Bennett cloud his judgment on Bennett career at the Knights. I thought that Bennett has done a good job. Last year they were one game away from the GF and this year with all the dramas with Packer, McKinnon and players payments there wasn't much else a coach can do. With the Broncos roster Bennett could yet win another comp before his time is up..
The eye
Guest
You're fudging,Scrubbitt..admit it,awful..
dallas
Guest
Maguire, hannant, parker, thaiday and lowrie. Not a bad crop of middle forwards if you ask me. They also have some good young players in wallace and garbutt from melbourne. Any way the broncos wont have any dramas filling there roster with the players they want or need. Players want to play for wayne bennett.
dallas
Guest
Who cares how many good players they have bought. They have produced more test and origin players than any other club over the last 25 years.
Scrubbit
Guest
The more I think about it the less I think the eye knows what he's talking about.