NRL to investigate Broncos over Andrew Gee appearance in coaching box

THE NRL integrity unit will launch an investigation into the Broncos after disgraced former official Andrew Gee was invited on Sunday into Brisbane’s coaching box by Wayne Bennett.

Andrew Gee was invited into Brisbane’s coaching box by Wayne Bennett. File photo

• Knives sharpen for Bennett after belting
• Analysis: Broncos v Dragons player ratings

THE NRL integrity unit will launch an investigation into the Broncos after disgraced former official Andrew Gee was invited on Sunday into Brisbane’s coaching box by Wayne Bennett.

In a dramatic postscript to Brisbane’s season-ending 48-18 finals loss to the Dragons, the NRL will demand answers from Broncos hierarchy for allowing Gee into an NRL venue after a four-year exile from the game.

Gee quit the Broncos in mysterious circumstances in May 2014 - just hours before the NRL launched a probe into allegations Brisbane cheated the salary cap by $450,000 over three years.

The Broncos were later cleared by the NRL of any salary-cap rort. The NRL attempted to interview Gee as part of their probe, but he refused to co-operate and has not been seen since at the Broncos in any official capacity.

Then, Sunday, Gee suddenly appeared in the Broncos’ coaching box for the first time this season.

“The NRL will ask the Broncos for an explanation as to why Andrew Gee was in the coaches box today,” an NRL spokesman said.

Andrew Gee was invited into Brisbane’s coaching box by Wayne Bennett. File photo

The Courier-Mail can reveal NRL boss Todd Greenberg, who attended Sunday’s clash at Suncorp, was not informed by the Broncos of plans to invite Gee, who sat behind Bennett wearing NRL accreditation.

A 255-game Broncos legend, Gee had an intimate knowledge of Brisbane’s salary-cap position as the club’s then football-operations chief.

At the time, Gee was also among former Brisbane staff under investigation as part of an internal audit that found almost $300,000 had gone missing from Broncos Leagues club accounts.

When quizzed by the media on Gee’s return to the Broncos, a furious Bennett hit back in defence of the former Origin prop.

Asked why Gee was in the box, Bennett said: “Because I invited him. It’s still a free country, am I right or wrong?”

Broncos coach Wayne Bennett hit back at questions about Andrew Gee. Picture: AAP

“I didn’t tell the NRL I’m bringing him to the game. He’s not a criminal. What’s wrong with you guys?

“Did he come in unaccredited? He had something around his neck.

“How long ago was that (the salary-cap probe)? He’s a friend of mine, he can come and sit in the box with me any time he wants.

“It (the investigation) cost him his job didn’t it?

“He’s not working for the NRL, he’s not working for the Broncos.

“Can he sit in the stands as a fan? He can come and sit with me as well.”