Andrew McCullough calls for decision on Wayne Bennett future
Broncos veteran Andrew McCullough has appealed for Brisbane bosses to end the coaching circus at Red Hill by making a swift determination on the future of Wayne Bennett.
Broncos
Don't miss out on the headlines from Broncos. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Broncos veteran Andrew McCullough has appealed for Brisbane bosses to end the coaching circus at Red Hill by making a swift determination on the future of Wayne Bennett.
McCullough on Thursday became the first Broncos player to speak candidly about the Bennett-Anthony Seibold saga, urging Brisbane hierarchy to provide clarity for the sake of their 2019 title ambitions.
Underlining the growing tension and uncertainty at Red Hill, Bennett’s first day at Broncos training on Thursday descended into high farce.
Wary of prying media, the veteran coach refused to appear on the playing field, instead watching his troops from the sanctuary of his office in Brisbane’s $27 million high-performance facility.
Bennett could be forced to clear out his office within days, with the seven-time premiership-winning coach due to meet Broncos chairman Karl Morris by the weekend.
While McCullough has enormous respect for, and loyalty to, Bennett, the 236-game Broncos stalwart concedes it’s time for Brisbane and Souths powerbrokers to consider a straight swap.
Asked if he wants the coaching saga resolved urgently, McCullough said: “Yes. Everyone just needs to move forward in the right direction, one way or another.
“I will leave it to the bosses, for the time being Wayne is here.
“I can’t help how things are dealt. Even our most experienced guys like Darius Boyd, our captain, can’t give a clear answer straight away (on the coaching situation).
“We’ve had a brief chat as a playing group, Wayne has been away for a fair while.
“There’s some media scrutiny but we’ve said ‘Let’s get on with it’ and Wayne can deal with the bosses upstairs.”
Bennett won’t depart easily. The 68-year-old’s contract with the Broncos next season is worth $900,000 and he has every right under employment law to see out the final 12 months of his current deal.
The Broncos will likely attempt to broker a compensation package, but Bennett won’t accept a cut-price payout. If Brisbane want to bring Seibold to Red Hill in the coming weeks, Bennett will demand every cent he is legally owed.
McCullough says Broncos players would have no issue accepting Seibold. Brisbane are under pressure to break the club’s 13-year title drought after last season’s finals debacle against the Dragons and McCullough believes certainty and stability is vital.
“This is not ideal,” he said.
“It happens in the NRL. Clubs always go through so-called dramas or different circumstances to what they want, so we have to get on with it as a group.
“As players it’s the unknown. We can only be guided by what Wayne (Bennett) says and he will be here at the moment and we’ll go from there.
“There’s plenty of big guys (Broncos management) upstairs who make the big calls and the tough decisions. We have a big year ahead, we have lost some experience this year.
“If it comes to that (Bennett being sacked), it’s a business where you adapt to different circumstances.
“In this game, you have to be able to adapt to different scenarios. It’s more important at this time of the year that we get fit and get ready on the field.”
Every Test, ODI & T20I live, ad-break free during play and in 4K. Only on Foxtel. SIGN UP TODAY!
Originally published as Andrew McCullough calls for decision on Wayne Bennett future
What Maguire, Broncos can learn from grand final masterclass
Michael Maguire was in the stands for Penrith’s epic grand final win. There was plenty for the new Broncos coach to ponder, writes ROBERT CRADDOCK.
Broncos’ Bellamy blunder: How Brisbane fumbled Bennett successor
It’s the sliding doors moment that cost Brisbane the signing of Craig Bellamy and put Melbourne on the path to a two-decade dynasty. See the inside story of how the Broncos botched their Wayne Bennett succession plan.