Brisbane making secret play as part of post- Bennett succession plan Broncos keen on Green
COWBOYS coach Paul Green has fielded a secret approach from the Broncos as Brisbane powerbrokers begin ramping up their succession plan for life after Wayne Bennett.
The Townsville Bulletin can reveal a third- party person with a 20- year association with the Broncos contacted Green to sound him out on his desire to replace Bennett at Queensland’s flagship club.
The high- level talks occurred last year, shortly before Green masterminded North Queensland’s fairytale charge to their grand- final showdown with the Storm. 1. Lachlan Coote 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Justin O’Neill 4. Kane Linnett 5. Antonio Winterstein 6. Michael Morgan 7. Johnathan Thurston ( c) 8. Matthew Scott ( c) 9. Jake Granville 10. Jordan McLean 11. Gavin Cooper 12. Ethan Lowe 13. Jason Taumalolo 14. Ben Hampton 15. Coen Hess 16. Scott Bolton 17. John Asiata 18. Corey Jensen 19. Te Maire Martin
There is no suggestion Bennett is in danger of being axed, with Broncos chief executive Paul White determined for the super coach to see out his existing deal, which expires at the end of 2019.
But with Bennett set to turn 70 when his current contract ends, the Broncos are planning for the future – and Green has been identified as Brisbane’s next super coach.
The Cowboys board is aware of Brisbane’s interest in Green, prompting North Queensland chairman Laurence Lancini to put together a lucrative package to keep him in Townsville.
Green is off- contract at sea- son’s end and has become the most sought- after coach in the code after leading the Cowboys to their maiden title in 2015 – smashing the club’s 20year title drought.
The Broncos’ largest private shareholder Phil Murphy, whose company BGM Projects owns 22 per cent of the club, last night backed the Green succession plan.
He says Bennett should be allowed to exit on his terms, but sees Green as a viable successor.
“Paul Green has been a huge asset to the game. When Wayne decides to walk away, he’s one guy I would like to see given a chance,” Murphy said.
“I like the fact that Paul is very level headed. He is a smart bloke, wise, he gets on well with his players and has won a premiership. The key to winning premierships is how you build the culture of a club and gel with players and Paul has shown he can do that.
“Kevvie Walters is another consideration, he is at the club now, and of course there’s Craig Bellamy, who is a super coach at Melbourne.
“I would love to see Wayne stay there forever, but eventually the time will come to consider his replacement.
“There’s no doubt it would be hard to get Green. They love him at the Cowboys and he has strong ties with the club and that town.”
Bennett declined to comment but Broncos legend Steve Renouf urged him to retire at the end of his current deal.
Green also declined to comment on the Broncos’ approach.
Asked if he has plans to coach the Broncos, Green said: “I’ll stay away from that. I’m trying to get a deal sorted with the Cowboys at the moment, so we’ll see where that goes.
“My preference is to stay and get a deal sorted. Having a long- term plan would be really good, it makes your job a bit easier ... but rugby league isn’t always like that.”
COWBOYS TEAM