JD READY TO LEAD
Demetriou one step closer to landing dream NRL coaching job
FORMER Northern Pride mentor Jason Demetriou (left) has secured a formal job interview, with Johnathan Thurston saying Wayne Bennett’s right-hand man has the goods to take charge of the Broncos.
The Brisbane assistant will face a threeman committee tomorrow as Broncos bosses ramp-up their pursuit of Bennett’s successor for 2020. And Demetriou yesterday received a glowing endorsement from Queensland and Cowboys champion Thurston, who believes the 42-year-old is ready to be blooded as a head coach at the Broncos.
Demetriou was an assistant to Cowboys coach Paul Green when Thurston kicked North Queensland to premiership glory in 2015 and ‘JT’ now believes ‘JD’ can fill Bennett’s throne at Red Hill.
“If they (the Broncos) do give him the job, he will do it justice,” Thurston said.
“I really enjoyed being coached by JD.
“He has a great football brain, he talks well to the players and knows how to get his point across as well.
“He was very well-liked at the (Cowboys) so he would be ready for it.”
As part of Brisbane’s search for the club’s fourth coach in 31 years, it is understood candidates have been asked to undergo psychological testing.
Demetriou has completed the multiple-choice examination, which is being conducted by an independent company.
Now Demetriou must face chief executive Paul White, chairman Karl Morris and board member Darren Lockyer for a face-to-face interview that will make or break his hopes of succeeding Bennett as Broncos coach.
While he lacks the profile of rival candidates Michael Maguire, Anthony Seibold and Kevin Walters, Demetriou is highly rated by Broncos players and has impressed Bennett with his skill set.
When Bennett met with the Broncos board three months ago to outline his vision for the club, the super coach nominated Demetriou as his Red Hill replacement.
Since joining the club last year, Demetriou has earned rave reviews internally for the offensive structures he has implemented at the Broncos.
In 2014, he steered the Northern Pride to the Intrust Super Cup premiership.