Wayne Bennett’s career hangs in balance after NSW NRL clubs turn their back on the supercoach
IT’S Brisbane or bust for Wayne Bennett after NSW NRL clubs unanimously rejected any hope of the six-time premiership coach returning south to ply his trade.
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IT’S Brisbane or bust for Benny.
A snap poll conducted by The Daily Telegraph showed NSW clubs were unanimous in rejecting any hope of Wayne Bennett returning south to coach.
Out of respect for Bennett’s longevity and imposing record, no club wanted to laugh off Bennett’s suggestion that several clubs had contacted him.
Essentially, Bennett is unwanted by any club in NSW and he stated he would not consider working in England.
At 68, Bennett and his ageing structures have deterred any club making a play for the six-time premiership-winning coach.
His prickly relationship with the media was another black mark.
Bennett comes off contract after next season and expressed a desire to continue coaching at the Broncos or another club.
One Sydney club some felt may have reached out to Bennett was the struggling Parramatta.
“There has been no contact whatsoever,” said Eels chief executive Bernie Gurr.
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“We have a coach contracted for 2018 and 2019 (Brad Arthur) so there’s no reason for us to contact Wayne.”
Titans chief executive Graham Annesley backed his club’s current head coach, Garth Brennan.
“We are very happy with our coach, Garth Brennan. We’re not looking at other coaches at all,” Annesley said.
Newcastle’s Nathan Brown is about re-sign and Bennett wouldn’t be welcomed back to Newcastle anyway.
The Brown deal would be open-ended and include a payout clause.
Trent Robinson (Roosters), Anthony Seibold (Souths), Shane Flanagan (Sharks), Dean Pay (Canterbury), Trent Barrett (Manly), Paul McGregor (Dragons), Ivan Cleary (Wests Tigers) and Anthony Griffin (Penrith) all seem safe for now.
Bennett claimed at a press conference that several clubs had contacted him about coaching. Well-connected player agents had a quiet giggle about his claim.
“I have had a couple ring me up in the last couple of weeks,” Bennett said.
“If I finish a bit earlier in my life than I want to, then that is probably the price I play. That’s a decision for me at another time.
“That’s not one I am making right now. There is a factor for me with health and age and I have to make sure I am capable of doing the job.
“The way I feel now I feel great physically and mentally. I am not going to be defined by my age. If the club doesn’t see that as relevant, I will coach somewhere else.”
But it may not be in NSW.
One club CEO said: “Thanks but no thanks. Wayne has been a wonderful coach but we wouldn’t entertain any plan to sign him.
“A three-year deal after next season would see Wayne still coaching at 72. I just couldn’t see how he could handle the rigours of NRL coaching at that age.”
Bennett could push his claims for a new contract by guiding Brisbane to this year’s premiership but that outcome would appear unlikely given the team’s inconsistent form so far this season.
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Originally published as Wayne Bennett’s career hangs in balance after NSW NRL clubs turn their back on the supercoach
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