BENNETT URGED BY CIVONICEVA TO PULL THE PIN
BRISBANE front-row legend Petero Civoniceva has urged Wayne Bennett to retire next year, fearing the super coach risks “damaging his legacy” if he wins a boardroom battle to call the shots at the Broncos in 2020.
On the eve of Brisbane’s clash with the Bulldogs tonight, Civoniceva said it was time for Bennett to pass the coaching baton and believed Darren Lockyer or Kevin Walters could be ideal successors to fill the role.
Bennett, off contract at the end of next year, is determined to coach the Broncos in 2020 but his hopes of one final 12-month term will hinge on Brisbane’s results over the next eight weeks.
The Brisbane board gagged Bennett last week after the veteran mentor publicly challenged chairman Karl Morris to come clean on the coach’s future.
Bennett is clearly prepared to go down swinging, but Civoniceva – one of the coach’s greatest supporters despite the prop’s shock exit from the Broncos in 2007 – says the 68year-old must seriously consider retirement.
“I think next year could be the right time for transition,” Civoniceva said yesterday.
“I remember Wayne sitting a group of us senior Broncos players down one day. He talked about getting the call right on when to hang the boots up and saying it’s always wise to leave one year too early, than one year too late.
“I remember him vividly saying you don’t want to be that guy that goes on one year too long and falls over the edge. In 2012, I knew it was time for me to retire and I felt like if I went one more year I risked going too long.
“I think Wayne should consider if it’s timely for him next year.”