Broncos-Dolphins news: Wayne Bennett backtracks on Allan Langer poaching raid

After poaching his ninth Bronco, Dolphins coach Wayne Bennett admitted his pursuit of Brisbane’s favourite son was wishful thinking.

Dolphins NRL coach Wayne Bennett. Picture: NRL Photos

The expansion turf war between Brisbane and the Dolphins has exploded with super coach Wayne Bennett poaching a Broncos premiership winner to spearhead a new Redcliffe-based NRL Academy.

News Corp can reveal Bennett has waded into Brisbane’s heartland to headhunt David Stagg, the ex-Queensland Origin ironman who has spent the past seven years working in game development for the Broncos.

The Stagg defection will further ignite tensions between the Broncos and Dolphins, who were embroiled in a messy $500,000 contractual tug-of-war for Brisbane young gun Karl Oloapu.

Amid revelations Bennett made a furtive move for Broncos legend Allan Langer, the super coach has put Brisbane on notice, rubber-stamping the acquisition of Stagg to further bolster the Dolphins’ resources ahead of their NRL debut this year.

Dolphins coach Wayne Bennett has poached David Stagg from the Broncos.

Bennett has secured eight former Broncos players for the Dolphins, including ex-$1 million man Anthony Milford, and now the master mentor has gone behind enemy lines to steal one of Brisbane’s most highly-rated development staff.

Stagg has a long association with Bennett: he was a member of Brisbane’s most recent premiership team of 2006 — the same year the tireless forward made his one and only Origin appearance for Queensland.

Now Stagg and Bennett will be re-united, with the 39-year-old informing Brisbane chiefs he will quit his development role at Aspley in Broncos territory to help mentor the next wave of Dolphins NRL hopefuls.

Bennett confirmed the coup, lauding the work ethic that saw Stagg amass 206 NRL games, reach Origin status and play centre in Brisbane’s 2006 grand-final upset of the Melbourne Storm.

“It’s great to have someone of David’s quality on board,” Bennett said.

Wayne Bennett and David Stagg will be reunited at the Dolphins.

“He will coach all our contracted 14 and 15-year-olds in our new Dolphins Academy.

“David will be their skills coach and personal coach. It’s a great set up we have and David will play a key role in our pathways for the years to come.

“Dave has done a great job working out of Aspley. He was there in development when I was coaching at the Broncos and I was always very impressed with him.

“I like his understated style. He was very understated as a player and he will get the job done with a minimum of fuss for the Dolphins.”

The Broncos are under siege for their best staff on and off the field.

Highly-regarded Queensland development chief Kurt Richards quit the Broncos last year to join Bennett at Redcliffe and he will relish an alliance with Stagg to deliver a potent production line of Dolphins NRL players.

Dolphins CEO Terry Reader dismissed suggestions the new NRL franchise is shamelessly poaching Broncos staff.

“Staggy played his football here as a Dolphin and he was also in the 2002 Redcliffe (Queensland Cup) grand final side,” he said.

Wayne Bennett has secured eight former Broncos players for the Dolphins. Picture: NRL Photos

“Whether it’s players or staff, there are now two NRL options in Brisbane and those people have a choice.

“It’s not about Broncos people, it’s about getting the best people and if we think someone will suit our club, we want to work with them. That’s the landscape in the NRL now and in Brisbane there is healthy competition for players and staff.

“It’s a great coup for us. David’s story is an inspirational one.

“The first time he ever made a Queensland side was when he got picked to play State of Origin at the senior level. His messaging and what he can teach the young guys about work ethic and not giving up, his story is what every aspiring NRL player at the Dolphins should see.”

Broncos legend Langer has also been linked with a possible move to the Dolphins, but Bennett expects ‘Alfie’ to remain a permanent fixture at Red Hill.

“Look, all I will say is that Allan Langer will be at the Broncos for the rest of his life,” Bennett said.

“He has always been a Bronco and he always will be a Bronco.

“The reality is I wouldn’t want to see Alfie leave the Broncos, he was a great champion for the club.

“His reputation on and off the field is second-to-none, so I’m glad Alf will always be a part of the Broncos.”

BENNETT’S SECRET TALKS TO LURE LANGER TO DOLPHINS

By Robert Craddock

Nothing is off the table in the fierce rivalry between the Dolphins and the Broncos ... not even Allan Langer.

In the months after the Dolphins were admitted as the NRL’s 17th team, coach Wayne Bennett privately spoke to Langer about the possibility of joining him at the bayside club to perform the trainer’s role he does at the Broncos.

The duo, who shared four premierships at the Broncos when Bennett was coach and Langer captain, are the closest of friends and decided between them after several chats that Langer should stay at the Broncos.

It is highly unlikely Langer would ever join another club but his great relationship with Bennett gave him plenty to think about.

Langer has always been one of Bennett’s favourite players and, teammates joke, the only one who could get away with ringing the super coach for a random chat at 3am.

Langer’s most visible role at the Broncos is as a club trainer on match days but he is worth far more to the club and it would have rocked the Broncos to lose him.

Wayne Bennett spoke to Allan Langer about joining him at the Dolphins.

Langer is also a precious, comforting resource for head coach Kevin Walters, his long-time mate and former backyard playing rival from Ipswich.

Langer’s very presence is a reminder to modern Broncos players not simply of the club’s golden era but how small, resourceful players can triumph in a sport where size is such a massive weapon.

Two decades into retirement Langer remains the club’s most popular player and, according to his biggest rival Ricky Stuart, “the greatest Bronco’’.

A former Broncos coach once said he felt his squad only truly revered two former Brisbane players ... “Darren Lockyer because he was the last great Bronco and Alfie Langer because he is Alfie Langer.’’

The rivalry between the Broncos and Dolphins is heating up by the week and the great thing for the code is that it is happening naturally and needs no artificial stimulation.

Allan Langer is a comforting resource for Broncos coach Kevin Walters. Picture: Getty Images

Even the Broncos announcement of a Sunshine Coast “super week’’ is a shot across the bow of the Dolphins who are prioritising that area in their recruiting.

The Broncos will play trials against the Titans and Cowboys on the Sunshine Coast and will visit up to seven schools in a “game development blitz’’ on February 13 before a special coaching clinic at Twin Waters.

The club will also have an open training session and a sportsman’s dinner in Mooloolaba in a meet and greet blitz designed to shore up support in this area.

It is a significant move because the Dolphins, who will play an NRL match at Sunshine Coast Stadium against the Eels on June 24, are trying to throw a net over the Sunshine Coast fan base and its emerging stars.

They privately concede the Broncos and the Titans have milked the talent-rich Logan corridor to the nth degree but there is still potential in the often overlooked Sunshine Coast region.

Originally published as Broncos-Dolphins news: Wayne Bennett backtracks on Allan Langer poaching raid