Wayne Bennett to pay for cutting Ryley Jacks’ Broncos deal

Ryley Jacks has outlined his vision to help turn the Titans into a finals force as the Gold Coast halfback prepares to face Wayne Bennett – the coach who torpedoed his hopes of becoming a Bronco.

Ryley Jacks almost became a Bronco in 2019. Picture: Adam Head

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Ryley Jacks has outlined his vision to help turn the Titans into a finals force as the Gold Coast halfback prepares to face Wayne Bennett – the coach who torpedoed his hopes of becoming a Bronco.

The injury-hit Titans are hoping Jacks, who served an apprenticeship under Origin champion Cooper Cronk at Melbourne, can produce the game of his life to spearhead a boilover of South Sydney on Sunday at ANZ Stadium.

The clash contains a spicy sub-plot for Jacks, whose planned move to the Broncos last season was terminated by former Brisbane coach Bennett, now calling the shots at the Rabbitohs.

Ryley Jacks almost became a Bronco in 2019. Picture: Adam Head

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Impressed by Jacks’ 80 per cent win record at the Storm, Broncos recruitment chiefs tabled a two-year contract for the Brisbane junior last June.

The deal was on the table for a fortnight and Jacks was poised to put pen to paper when Bennett intervened, believing the 26-year-old was not the answer at halfback to break Brisbane’s 13-year premiership drought.

With his NRL career in limbo, the Titans delivered a one-year lifeline just weeks before the start of the 2019 pre-season.

Former Broncos coach Wayne Bennett pulled the pin on a deal for Jacks. (AAP Image/Dave Hunt)

Jacks is too affable and too appreciative of his new home to be critical of Bennett, but he can make a statement on Sunday in his quest to secure a new deal at Gold Coast and make the Titans a regular playoffs contender.

“I was close to going (to the Broncos),” said Jacks, who made his Titans debut in last week’s 20-6 loss to Cronulla.

“In my mind, I thought I was off to the Broncos and then it all stopped suddenly.

“The Broncos made an offer and then two weeks later it was pulled from me.

“For the Broncos to turn around and say no, it was pretty hard to take, Brisbane is my hometown and they are a great club.

Jacks has a chance to make Bennett pay on Sunday night. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

“I won’t say much about Wayne, there’s no issue with him, just because I’m going up against his side this week, it doesn’t change my mindset.

“I want to play well every week and I’ll be trying to do my job this week to beat Souths.”

Jacks plays his 27th first-grade game against Bennett’s Bunnies and admits he is playing for his future at a Titans club blessed with quality halves in Ash Taylor, Tyrone Roberts and AJ Brimson.

The off-contract playmaker may lack Taylor’s $1 million salary but his Storm apprenticeship is priceless.

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During his two years in Melbourne, Jacks picked the brains of the Storm’s Big Three Cameron Smith, Billy Slater and Cronk, who joined the Roosters last season.

“The Storm system was so good I wish I went down there younger,” Jacks said.

“I learnt so much from Cooper, Cam and Billy.

“I not only played with Cronk, I roomed with him as well.

“He taught me so much about preparation and what it takes to be consistent in the NRL.

“Cooper would say to me, ‘You are the shot-caller, so you have to have your plays down pat and ready to go’. He was meticulous with his video.

“I know I have to work hard to hold my position in the team here, but I really don’t want to go anywhere else. The Titans are on the up and I would love to sign a new deal and stay here.”