Are they heading back to Broncos? - Sports News - Fanatics - the world's biggest events

Are they heading back to Broncos?

By Wayne Heming 30/03/2011 07:51:22 PM Comments (0)

It's a ready-made premiership package, the best rugby league coach in the world and a player who could fill the void left by the best player in the game.

The burning question is, will they end up back together at the Brisbane Broncos in 2012?

The thought of Wayne Bennett returning to the club he built and led to six premierships and bringing with him Darius Boyd - a player he rates as uncannily like Darren Lockyer - would be a dream result for Brisbane.

The biggest challenge facing Brisbane at the moment is how to fill Lockyer's boots.

Boyd, a fullback/winger, can also play five-eighth and with Bennett's guidance could do the job.

"There's not one thing at training he doesn't do to perfection. I do ratings for players on all aspects of what they do, the similarities (with Lockyer) are uncanny," Bennett told AAP before last year's grand final win.

Boyd sees Bennett as a big influence on his football career and in his life.

"I have enormous respect for Wayne. He's someone I admire and cherish as a friend," he said.

From day one at Brisbane Bennett made it a priority to have a "special" player who could win the big games.

First it was Wally Lewis.

When Lewis left, it was Allan Langer and when Alfie went, it was Kevin Walters whom he enticed home from Canberra.

When Bennett left in 2009, his money man was Lockyer whom he shifted from fullback to five-eighth in a masterstroke in 2004.

Had he stayed at Brisbane Bennett planned to move fullback Karmichael Hunt into the Broncos' "go-to-man" role.

As usual, Bennett left journalists guessing and confused on Wednesday, informing a packed press conference what everyone already knew - he was leaving the Dragons.

But leaving to go where?

If he was a gambler, Bennett would have been unbeatable at poker.

Even his brother Bob Bennett was in the dark when asked his thoughts on where he might coach next.

He took a stab though, nominating South Sydney despite reports Russell Crowe's Rabbits had pulled out of the race leaving a two horse battle between Brisbane and Newcastle.

South Sydney can't be written off, given they've maintained their silence - something Bennett would have insisted on after his imminent move to Sydney Roosters in 2006 was scuppered when details of it were leaked - something he expressly said would stop the deal.

Newcastle's hopes now weigh heavily on members accepting multi millionaire Nathan Tinkler's $100 million takeover bid when a vote is taken on Thursday night.

"Only two people will know, Wayne and his wife Trish," said Bob Bennett of his brother's plans.

Lockyer kicked off an amazing week of major announcements by high profile sports identities on Monday, declaring he was retiring at the end of 2011.

The next day Ricky Ponting announced he was stepping down from the Australian one day and Test captaincy.

Bennett's announcement may have been the least surprising of the three.

But it's the only one which has left everyone guessing, just the way Bennett likes it.

Brought to you by AAP AAP © 2024 AAP

0 Comments about this article

Post a comment about this article

Please sign in to leave a comment.
Becoming a member is free and easy, sign up here.

« All sports news