WAYNE FEELS PAIN OF BRONCS DEMISE
Supercoach talks possible return to club
WAYNE Bennett has spoken of his “pain” at the collapse of the Broncos empire and has not ruled out a return to Red Hill to help rebuild the glamour club following the demise of Anthony Seibold.
As he prepares for tonight’s clash against the Tigers, Bennett opened up to News Corp on a range of topics, including the Broncos, his love for the club, the possibility of a return to Red Hill and why Souths can win this year’s premiership.
Broncos chairman Karl Morris revealed on Tuesday he held no grudge towards Bennett following their bustup two years ago and said he would take any proposal for the super coach’s return to the board for consideration.
Bennett is contracted to Souths until the end of next year, but it is understood the Rabbitohs would not stand in his way if the coaching icon could secure a longer-term position at another club.
“I am happy at Souths, it’s a wonderful club and I’ve enjoyed my time here,” he said.
But Bennett would consider returning to the Broncos as a coaching director, either in 2021 or beyond depending on contractual commitments.
If Brisbane hire Kevin Walters as Seibold’s successor next season, Bennett believes he could be a sounding board for the Queensland coach and take the pressure off him in what would be his maiden season as an NRL mentor.
Bennett is mindful of his commitments to South Sydney as they head into the finals, but in response to Morris’ revelations, the veteran coach said he could bury the hatchet with the Broncos bosses who sacked him two years ago.
The man who has delivered all six of Brisbane’s premierships admits he has been deeply saddened by the Broncos’
slide into the NRL cellar.
“I’m humbled by the fact we might all be big enough to move on from where we were two years ago,” he said.
“Things with the Broncos are speculative at this stage. Right now, I’m happy where I am and I enjoy coaching the team at South Sydney.
“But I have felt the Broncos’ pain because of my 25 years there and my great love for the club.
“I value the wonderful men and women that I worked with at the Broncos for a long period of time, whether it was players or staff.
“We all made a contribution to that club in our time there, not just me.
“Many directors were outstanding to work with. I appreciate what has been said about me (from Morris), but I’ll get on with my job at South Sydney and see what happens.”
Bennett said Walters, his assistant when Brisbane made the 2015 grand final, should have the right to choose his own staff if given his big break by the Broncos.
“I would suggest the club stay out of that (choosing a coaching team),” Bennett said. “They haven’t got a great history of getting that right.
“We are all judged on our performances and our performances are at our best when we have good people around us, whether it’s coaching staff or players and I believe Kevin knows what people he can work with.
“The club doesn’t know what he can work with and what he can’t. He shouldn’t accept a position if they want to tell him who is on his coaching staff.”