NRL 2021: Wayne Bennett makes call on Broncos move

“Free agent” super coach Wayne Bennett has revealed he has only been in contact with one Brisbane team as speculation grows around his future.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 15: Rabbitohs head coach Wayne Bennett looks on during a South Sydney Rabbitohs NRL training session at Redfern Oval on March 15, 2021 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

Super coach Wayne Bennett has ruled out a return to the Broncos, revealing he has received interest to coach Brisbane’s second NRL team from 2023.

Bennett’s future beyond this season has become a talking point after he announced he was leaving South Sydney at season’s end to return to Queensland.

The seven-time premiership winning mentor declared he is a “free agent” and open to all offers.

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This includes a potential return to Brisbane, where he could reunite with his former captain turned Broncos coach, Kevin Walters.

But Bennett says he isn’t prepared to forgive, forget and return to Brisbane after being forced out of the Broncos during an ugly exit in 2018.

Asked if he would be happy to return to Red Hill, he replied: “No, I’ve moved on and that is where it is at.

Kevin Walters and Wayne Bennett at Brisbane Broncos training in 2015. Picture: Darren England.

“And that is where it could it stay as far as I’m concerned.

“I never think about it (the Broncos) - I’ve moved on.”

Bennett was happy to talk about his interest in coaching the second Brisbane team.

“I’ve had one phone call about the 17th team and a guy wanted to know if I was interested in coaching them,” he said.

“And I said at this point in time I would be if something becomes available.”

It comes as Brisbane officials feel Bennett will use the club as leverage to ensure he remains the first-choice for a new franchise in southeast Queensland from 2023.

The veteran mentor didn’t discuss this speculation, but confirmed he could still be involved in coaching next season to help the second Brisbane franchise prepare for its maiden season a year later.

Souths are doing everything they can to hold onto the super coach.

“I may be employed in coaching still,” he said about coaching in 2022.

“If there is a new franchise they will be looking to buy players and have things to set up.”

Bennett had a simple answer when asked why he is interested in heading up a new franchise given his age and experience.

“I love what I do and I think I can make a contribution,” he said.

“But I’ll keep an eye on everything. I have no commitments to anyone.”

“Free agent” Bennett returning to Brisbane

Wayne Bennett has revealed he is returning home to Queensland at season’s end, but the South Sydney super coach won’t be returning to help Kevin Walters rebuild the Broncos.

Bennett confirmed he has told Souths bosses he will move permanently to Brisbane when his Rabbitohs deal expires in November, despite high-level plans to deploy the NRL’s greatest coach in another role at Redfern.

despite a 35-year association between Bennett and Walters, the pair square off for the first time as head coaches in the Souths-Broncos clash at Stadium Australia.

Wayne Bennett speaks to his Rabbitohs star Damien Cook after Origin last year. Picture: Grant Trouville

But a reunification between the duo at Red Hill is unlikely, despite Bennett advising Rabbitohs powerbrokers of his plan to return to live in Brisbane on a full-time basis before Christmas.

Souths chief executive Blake Solly and co-owner Russell Crowe have been so impressed with Bennett’s transition to Redfern following his bitter sacking at the Broncos in 2018 they are keen for the 71-year-old to march on with the Pride of the League.

But with the Broncos’ hopes of snaring Melbourne’s Craig Bellamy as culture boss dwindling by the week, Bennett will come home as a free agent — and declared he is open to any offer.

“Souths and myself have had some discussions around my future,” Bennett said on the eve of the Souths-Brisbane showdown at Homebush.

“I am going home to live in Brisbane full-time at the end of the footy season.

“That’s my plan. Souths know about my position and after that who knows what I will do.

“Souths are keen for me to stay on in some capacity.

“They have said it doesn’t mean I would have to stay in Sydney to do that, but I am not making any decisions around what I will do next year until I get to Brisbane and I will sort myself out then.

“I am going to leave myself as a free agent.”

News Corp understands Walters is not opposed to a Bennett return, but is mindful of the political complexities following the foundation coach’s toxic fallout with the Broncos board.

The danger for Broncos hierarchy is the formidable threat Bennett poses if he was to take charge of a rival second Brisbane team in 2023. Prospective bid teams Redcliffe and the Brisbane Jets are both eyeing off Bennett.

Asked if he would return to help Walters revive the Broncos next year, Bennett said: “I’m not going into the Broncos specifically, but I will say this ... I’m a free agent.

“I like the fact that I will be going back to Brisbane, I will reside back there and whatever comes up I will consider.

“Souths are keen for me to do something, so there is an option.

“Nothing is off the table. There is so much up in the air. I’ve got a number of options.

“If someone wants me in some capacity, I will make a decision.”

Walters was tight-lipped about the prospect of Bennett returning to the Broncos.

“I don’t want to make any comment on that. That’s a double-edged sword for me,” he said.

“There’s no drama between me and Wayne at all.

“I could pick up the phone to him today and we’d be fine.”

Rabbitohs boss Solly remains hopeful Bennett will continue his employment as South Sydney’s king of Queensland.

“We don’t want to lose Wayne,” he said.

“Even if Wayne returns to Brisbane, we believe he can still play a role for us.

“We’re aware of his desire to return home, so we have put together a job description for a role Wayne could play for us in Queensland.

“We have Shane Richardson (former Souths CEO) on a similar deal and we want to keep Wayne on in that regard. To be able to have continued dialogue with a person of Wayne‘s experience and knowledge is invaluable.

“We love what Wayne has brought to the club, but we will leave the decision with Wayne.”

Originally published as NRL 2021: Wayne Bennett makes call on Broncos move