New Broncos boss plans to stop ‘vulture’ raids on club, puts NRL on notice

Dave Donaghy has put the NRL on notice in his first press conference as Broncos CEO - and revealed his plan to fix the club’s most pressing issue.

Could Wayne Bennett end up back with the Broncos in 2022?

Brisbane’s new boss Dave Donaghy says he plans to stave off the “vultures” from poaching Red Hill’s talent as he looks to assist coach Kevin Walters in revitalising the Broncos squad.

Donaghy made his first media press conference on Monday since beginning his tenure as Broncos CEO at the weekend, admitting he was “honoured” to take up the role.

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The former Melbourne Storm boss was forced to address the club’s recruitment and retention concerns, following the departure of Tom Dearden, David Fifita and Sam Walker in the past 18 months, as well as reports Kotoni Staggs and Xavier Coates were being chased by rival clubs.

Donaghy said one of his first port of calls would be to help prevent rivals from poaching Brisbane’s best young talents.

New Broncos boss Dave Donaghy meets with players in at Red Hill during training. Picture: Liam Kidston.

“We’re investing a lot in developing and nurturing Queensland players and I referred to a plan before, so that’s where it needs to marry up,” Donaghy said.

“My intent is to come in and work with the recruitment and retention team.

“There are also some challenges in terms of our regulation and governance among the game – there’s no reward for development.

“There’s the ability for vultures to swoop in and throw ridiculous amounts of money and steal your best talent.

“Do I have the answers? No I don’t.

“Is it on the agenda for the NRL? Yes it will be.

“For me, I want to make sure the program is sophisticated enough that we identify those players at a younger age and lock them down.”

Dave Donaghy, Broncos new CEO, meets with players in at Red Hill during training. Picture: Liam Kidston.

The Broncos are on the hunt for more experience to help mentor the current group of Brisbane youngsters, with South Sydney’s Adam Reynolds among several playmakers linked to the club.

However, Donaghy admitted the club was pursuing not just an experienced player but also someone who could become an “on-field coach”.

BROKEN BRONCOS SERIES

PART I: How teammate told Fifita to leave Broncos

PART II: Contract bungles holding Broncos to ransom

PART III: Broncos boss’ blessing: Kev, rip Red Hill apart

PART IIII: How new Broncos boss plans to fix the club

“It’s certainly a priority for us to put some experience around our nucleus of young talent that we have here,” he said.

“I don’t think it’s fair on Alex (Glenn) to be taking that leadership role by himself.

“He’s got some support around him but for us, if we can identify players who can add value to the team and play a role as an on-field coach, then we’ll be talking to them.

“We are in the market for experience.

“We’re in the market for experience halves but with respect to those discussions and ideally those negotiations, we’re keeping that behind closed doors as best we can.”

Dave Donaghy Brisbane Broncos new CEO meets with players in at Red Hill during training. Picture: Liam Kidston.

Brisbane were back at training on Monday morning following their record win over the Titans on Friday night with code-hopper Karmichael Hunt spotted at Red Hill for the first time since 2009.

Hunt has been plying his trade in the Intrust Super Cup for Souths Logan Magpies but is set to make his NRL return in the coming weeks as Kevin Walters turns to the 34-year-old’s experience for help.

Crash Tackle: Come on Broncos, dare you to make the first call!

- Robert Craddock

If Wayne Bennett makes a stunning return to the Broncos, it could come via a “back to front’’ contract negotiation where the first phone call is the biggest play of all.

In contract talks, the first call is often the easy and cheesy one. Who doesn’t enjoy a contract offer?

Then, of course, things get more serious. The tougher talk comes over money, conditions and matching rival offers and things get progressively more intense.

Could Wayne Bennett end up back with the Broncos in 2022?

But with Bennett it’s different.

The first call – if the Broncos are bold enough to make it - is laced with deep-seated emotion and wider significance because it involves the club’s board swallowing its pride and going on a journey it thought was a moonbeam ride away when it sacked Bennett two and a half years ago.

There were darts flying in all directions as Bennett threatened to sue Brisbane following his sacking. Longstanding friendships were destroyed. Most have never mended.

It seemed there was no way back for Bennett to Red Hill, but this is rugby league folks, where today’s slap down is tomorrow’s slap on the back.

Ask Des Hasler, sacked at Manly in 2011 and back coaching there eight years later.

The only certainty is that Bennett will not knock on the Broncos door. He is too proud for that and, in any case, doesn’t need the offer.

He may be approaching 72 but Wayne Bennett still has much to offer.

Just deciding to make contact with Bennett is a huge call in itself but one Brisbane should make just to see if there is a way the duo could fit together again.

A director of coaching role floating behind Kevin Walters is the most likely role for Bennett, exploiting his greatest gift – player relations - in everything from player recruitment and list shaping, settling anguished minds and occasionally setting standards.

For the Broncos, the awkwardness of approaching a man they thought would never darken their doorstep again is far less than the pain of seeing him shine somewhere else in Brisbane and saying “I would have considered a Broncos offer but the phone never rang.’’

Some of the hard work has been done for the Broncos. It’s not as if they have to prize him out of Redfern.

Bennett has decided to move back to Brisbane for good after he finishes this season at Souths and has no intention of playing bridge, buying a caravan or taking up lawn bowls.

He will link with someone next season at age 72, old if you are a league coach but not if you are president of the United States.

Tevita Pangai says he joined the Broncos because of Wayne Bennett.

It appears Bennett will land at either the Broncos or one of the two new Brisbane franchises interested in signing him to lead them in the 2023 premiership if, as seems likely, the competition is expanded.

The desire to keep Bennett out of the clutches of one of those two franchises may seem like a negative reason for the Broncos to sign him, but it is an extremely important one.

His player pull is strong in and outside the Broncos.

Tevita Pangai and Payne Haas joined Brisbane because of Bennett and their affection for him has reportedly never waned.

If Bennett goes to a second Brisbane team he would surely pluck a few Brisbane stars. And the Broncos are so fragile at the moment that even if he took two players it could consign them to the NRL cellar for several more painful seasons.

Did I hear you say “can’t live with him, can’t live without him?’’

Originally published as New Broncos boss plans to stop ‘vulture’ raids on club, puts NRL on notice