Star coach Benny open to all offers
EXCLUSIVE WAYNE Bennett says he is not a spent force and will consider any offer from an NRL rival, including the Panthers, if the super coach is not wanted by the Broncos.
Bennett’s stance comes as Titans millionaire co-owner Darryl Kelly said he is open to having discussions with the seven-time premiership coach about a possible role at the Gold Coast in 2020.
Former Broncos mentor Anthony Griffin’s sacking at the Panthers on Monday has sent the coaching merry-goround spinning with Bennett, off-contract next year, being linked to the Penrith post.
Bennett and Panthers supremo Phil Gould were on the judging panel that chose the code’s five new Immortals last week, fuelling speculation they had the platform to discuss linking formally at Penrith.
The Cairns Post can reveal Bennett is prepared to move to Sydney to coach the Panthers in 2020. He is also open to offers on a consultancy or director-of-football role at the Titans, believing he can inject his title-winning know-how to turn the Gold Coast into an NRL powerhouse.
But either scenario is ultimately contingent upon his future at the Broncos, who will consign Bennett to free-agent status if they refuse his request for one final 12-month term at Red Hill.
The Post understands Bennett has been informally sounded out by the Panthers, but the 68-year-old said last night he has received no formal approach.
However, Bennett said if the Broncos board didn’t want him beyond 2019, he was open to any offer.
“My first position is I want to continue as coach of the Broncos. But if that (coaching the Broncos) is not the case, I still have a desire to coach. I’m not done yet. I will go where my career takes me,” he said.
Bennett and Gould were influential figures last week in the judging-panel bombshell that saw three pre-war players honoured as Immortals.
Gould yesterday refused to emphatically rule out Bennett as a possible contender for the Panthers job.
“That would be fun wouldn’t it,” Gould said when asked about the prospect of working with Bennett.
Gold Coast co-owner Kelly said he was happy with coach Garth Brennan, who is offcontract next year, but is willing to talk to Bennett if he was serious about helping the Titans.
YET. I STILL HAVE A DESIRE TO COACH. I’M NOT DONE I WILL GO WHERE MY CAREER TAKES ME.
Asked if he felt comfortable with Bolton appearing during Women in League round, Green said: “I don’t take your point.”
“Just the nature of the charge,” the reporter replied.
“What charge is that?” Green responded.
“Indecent assault,” journalist replied.
“Are you sure it’s indecent assault?” Green asked. “It’s been downgraded from what I know.”
Green later contacted News Corp to clarify that the charge had yet to be downgraded. He the declined to elaborate on Bolton’s availability for Women in League festivities.
“I don’t want to comment too much about that matter given it is ongoing,” he said.
Another Cowboy facing an uncertain future is off-contract centre Kane Linnett, who is