The Roar
The Roar

Advertisement

Wayne Bennett and Broncos CEO respond to reports of Craig Bellamy interest

22nd May, 2018
Advertisement
Wayne Bennett during his time at the Broncos. (AAP Image/Dave Hunt)
Editor
22nd May, 2018
7
1075 Reads

Brisbane coach Wayne Bennett and CEO Paul White have confirmed the club’s interest in luring Craig Bellamy to the Broncos as the Melbourne boss nears the end of his contract with the Storm.

In a press conference on Wednesday morning, Bennett revealed he initiated the club’s approach to Bellamy in a conversation he organised last month by encouraging the Broncos to secure their future and lock down the best possible coach.

However, the Brisbane coach, who still has a year and a half to run on his current contract, remained typically forthright about his future at the club, saying he has no plans to step down before the 2019 season and shooting down suggestions he and Bellamy could coach the same side next year.

“That’s not going to happen,” was Bennett’s response to the idea.

Bennett admitted he was open to the idea of coaching another NRL club after his contract at the Broncos expires in 2019, revealing he’s already fielded approaches from rival sides, but maintained Brisbane is where he wants to be for the time being.

“There’s a factor for me with my health and age, I have to make sure I’m capable of doing the job. I feel great physically and mentally, I’m not going to be defined by my age,” Bennett said.

“I always put the club first here and I’ll put the club first again.

“I’ve spent 25 years here. I know the place, I know the system, I know how it all works.”

Advertisement

Earlier, club CEO Paul White confirmed a discussion with Bellamy about replacing Bennett has taken place.

White said 68-year-old Bennett was told of the approach as the club looks to its NRL future beyond his contract, which runs until the of the 2019 campaign.

He said Bellamy was considering an offer to stay with the Storm, where he is only contracted until the end of this season.

“We have had a conversation with Craig Bellamy but at this point in time there are no negotiations taking place,” White said.

White was speaking after a report that Brisbane were ready to table a four-year deal worth more than $5 million for Bellamy to make a switch.

But Storm chief executive Dave Donaghy said Bellamy has been presented with an offer to stay at the club he’s led since 2003.

He has coached Melbourne in 406 NRL games, highlighted by premierships in 2012 and 2017.

Advertisement

“Craig has a significant three-year deal on the table with us. That’s been there for a month,” Donaghy told NRL.com.

Bellamy started his NRL coaching career with the Broncos as an assistant under Bennett in 1998 before taking charge of Melbourne five years later.

Bennett will coach his 800th NRL game when the Broncos play Parramatta tomorrow night.

With AAP

close