Wayne Bennett future: How fresh talks with Rabbitohs will impact new Brisbane team

All three groups bidding to become the NRL’s 17th team want Wayne Bennett. But there’s one massive obstacle. BUZZ HIGHS, LOWS

The Rabbitohs hope Wayne Bennett will stay. Picture: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images

The South Sydney Rabbitohs are in a similar position to Melbourne Storm and Craig Bellamy with their coach Wayne Bennett.

They don’t actually want the old super coach to leave at the end of the season.

Jason Demetriou will take over as head coach at the Rabbitohs from 2022 onwards but chief executive Blake Solly has spoken to Bennett about staying on.

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There is a role to be created as a director of football, the same as the Broncos, Storm and the Sharks are offering Craig Bellamy.

The difference is that Bellamy is ready to step back at the end of the season while Bennett hasn’t lost the bug for coaching.

Bennett hasn’t totally rejected the offer from the Rabbitohs but he is not yet in a position to make a call on his future.

The Rabbitohs hope Wayne Bennett will stay. Picture: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images

New signing Benji Marshall with Wayne Bennett at training for South Sydney at Redfern Oval. Picture: Adam Yip

He will wait until June when a decision will be made on the new Brisbane franchise in an expanded 2023 premiership.

All three groups bidding to become the 17th team in south-east Queensland would want Bennett as the face of the franchise.

It would be highly unlikely he could stay at Souths in a director of football role why setting up the new team.

HIGHLIGHT

Ash Barty, a proud champion who represents the game of tennis and her country with so much class.

Ash Barty represents Australia with class. Picture: Michael Klein

LOWLIGHT

It’s hard to broadcast live sport without fans. Still, Channel 9 should have been ready to go with virtual sound on their coverage of the tennis from Saturday. They fixed it on Sunday.

SHOOSH

The World Cup in England in October is in serious doubt because of COVID health issues and the UK government is likely to withdraw funding because of the financial pressure from dealing with the pandemic.

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SPOTTED

Former Mayor of Gunnamatta and now Baron of Bundanoon Marty Downs paying $12,000 for a travel prize at the charity lunch for the Ricky Stuart Foundation in Canberra.

SPOTTED

Old super coach Wayne Bennett back at his favourite restaurant, Grappa in Leichhardt, with his partner on Friday night.

(LR) Latrell Mitchell, Wayne Bennett and new signing Benji Marshall at training for South Sydney at Redfern Oval. Picture: Adam Yip

SPOTTED

Peter V’landys at the Ricky Stuart Foundation lunch in Canberra where it was announced the Raiders coach was planning his next venture – the John Fordham House, a state of the art home for autism sufferers. V’landys took time out from his busy schedule to drive six hours to Canberra and back as guest speaker.

SPOTTED

A reunion of the Sydney Roosters 2002 premiership winning coaching staff — David ‘Cement’ Gillespie, John Cartwright, Ronnie Palmer, Steve Gigg, interchange guru Bob ‘Boofer’ Johnson at Edgars in Ainslie on Saturday.

SPOTTED

Retired Wests Tigers player Robbie Farah courtside in Melbourne for Rafael Nadal’s match last Thursday night on the day before Victoria went into lockdown.

SPOTTED

Wallaby legend Mark Ella in the Ulladulla shopping centre and enjoying a weekend out of Sydney with his family.

BREKKY RADIO

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