NRL 2020: Broncos target Brisbane Lions CEO Greg Swann to replace Paul White

A triple CEO code-war is brewing after the Broncos reportedly tapped an AFL rival boss on the shoulder to replace Paul White.

Broncos CEO Paul White.

The Brisbane Broncos have reportedly tapped Brisbane Lions chief executive Greg Swann on the shoulder to potentially replace veteran boss Paul White at the end of the season.

The Broncos are already moving to replace long-serving CEO White, despite the veteran administrator yet to confirm his departure at the end of the 2020 season.

White last year signed a 12-month contract extension, but is reportedly considering walking out on the Broncos after more than 10 years at the club.

White was earlier this year linked with a move to replace Raelene Castle as chief executive of Rugby Australia.

White is reported to be considering a move to the 15-a-side game with RA still yet to appoint a long-term successor to Castle after appointing Rob Clarke as interim chief executive.

The Courier-Mail now reports the Broncos have identified Swann as a candidate to replace White, should he leave at the end of the season.

White is off-contract at the end of the year, while Swann is also off contract at the Lions at the end of 2020.

The report identifies the Broncos have contracted out to a recruitment agency to help secure the club’s next chief executive. Swann is the early front-runner.

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Swann’s success in helping to stabilise the Brisbane Lions since he arrived at the former struggling club in 2014 have seen him emerge as the Broncos’ top candidate.

Swann’s experience in running AFL giant Collingwood is another reason he is the preferred option.

Paul White and Darren Lockyer. Photo: Mark Calleja.

According to the report, Swann is yet to reveal how interested he may be in the option to join the Broncos.

Meanwhile, White was this week dragged into the simmering feud between Broncos coach Anthony Seibold and disgruntled former coach Wayne Bennett.

Bennett took a savage swipe at the Broncos’ management since he was forced out the door at the end of 2018. suggesting Seibold has failed to get the best out of the club’s star-studded roster.

Bennett said he can’t be blamed for the club’s apparent poor recruiting in recent years because White, Darren Lockyer (board member) and Peter Nolan (recruitment chief) were also on the club’s recruitment and retention committee.

The Broncos are currently in one of their lowest form patches in the history of the club after five straight losses. The club is also in the middle of its longest ever premiership drought.

White has previously said he would not leave the club while it remains in such a damaged position.