Demetriou on radar

In 2014, he led the Northern Pride to the Intrust Super Cup premiership, triggering his promotion to the Cowboys under coach Paul Green.

In his maiden year at the Cowboys, Demetriou and Dave Furner helped Green shatter North Queensland’s 20-year title drought with their grand-final defeat of the Broncos. Last season, he had more success, winning the NSW Cup title with Illawarra before steering the Cutters to the NRL State Championship with a 54-12 drubbing of Burleigh.

That success was the catalyst for his arrival at the Broncos and Demetriou, 41, said working alongside Bennett has proved to be an invaluable experience.

“It’s phenomenal,” he said. “To be working with Wayne and talking to Darren Lockyer (former Broncos skipper) after a game is a bit surreal for me still. I’m still a young coach. Every year you are learning.”