On Monday afternoon, Paul White sat in front of the media and announced that a family member was coming home – Wayne Bennett.
Seen by many as a coup, the News Ltd section of the Broncos board had reached into their deep pockets and lured the godfather of the club back from his round-the-league expedition.
But the question on many people’s lips is what got this section of the board so nervous that they had to return to Bennett?
On the face of it, there was a seven-time premiership coach on the market, who had family ties to the city and professional ties to the club. So in a sense, the board just lured the best man available back.
But since Wayne left at the end of the 2008 season, the club has generally been in decline. Sure the crowds are still the best in the NRL, the leagues club has been growing steadily and generally the football team are still winning and producing state and national representatives. But like a teenager standing in front of a mirror, the club was insecure.
There were wins and preliminary finals, but no premierships. There were good coaches in place but no great ones. There were talented juniors coming into the club but there wasn’t a flood of them like there used to be. The environment wasn’t as warm, and rumblings started that the values of the club and the attitude of the players were changing.
For a board that is not just used to success but expects it, these factors contributed to the pursuit and eventual capture of the coach who had installed these expectations and succeeded in attaining the success demanded.
But is Wayne actually a good signing to solve this insecurity?
On the basis of his record, you would say yes. But the concern is that it is a step back for a club that really needs a step forward. Wayne will not bring many new ideas to the table, he will still preach attitude in defence and respect for ball when in possession. The attack will still be subtle and the forwards will still be charging up through the middle. This style is not new for this club – they play this way now.
What Brisbane really requires is an overhaul of the way in which they think and play. They need new ideas. New ideas in the way they play, new ideas in the way they identify talent, new ideas in the way they develop this talent and then retain it.
It is a sad fact for this proud club that two of their stars next year (Anthony Milford and Ben Barba) will have been bought rather then developed.
Wayne may cure this insecurity in the short term. As a fan of the club I hope that he meets the board’s dreams and produces another premiership and sustained success.
But long-term you have to wonder whether this back to the future approach will set the club on the path to a brighter tomorrow.
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