Party snub causes major Broncos rift
THE Wayne Bennett coaching saga has ripped the Broncos apart, with the super coach and captain Darius Boyd sensationally snubbing an official team barbecue at the home of chief executive Paul White.
The Townsville Bulletin can reveal Boyd declined to attend an annual club event hosted by White, instead opting to spend the afternoon at Bennett’s house in a stunning show of loyalty that threatens to divide the club.
Boyd informed the CEO by text message that he would not be attending. Bennett, whose 34- year friendship with White has broken down over the fight to save his job at the Broncos, was also a no- show.
White was left bitterly disap- pointed that Brisbane’s most influential footballing figures – the coach and captain – couldn’t be bothered showing up. Sources say several Broncos players left White’s gathering, turning up “en masse” to Bennett’s home – a compelling sign that the under- fire coach still retains the support of the dressing room.
White’s Broncos barbecue was held 24 hours after Brisbane’s 34- 30 loss to the Cowboys last Thursday night. It is the fifth annual luncheon White has hosted at his home and every employee of the club was invited, including partners and children, in a gesture designed to boost morale.
Instead, the Broncos are facing a destabilising mutiny on the eve of tomorrow night’s clash against South Sydney at Suncorp Stadium.
The barbecue brouhaha underlines the high- level tension building at the Broncos amid speculation Bennett will be sacked by Brisbane hierarchy in the coming weeks.
White and Bennett have declined to comment, but the erosion of the CEO- coach relationship is clearly having ramifications for a Broncos squad fighting to save their season.
Due to a mechanical problem, Brisbane’s flight out of Townsville was delayed several hours. Most of the Broncos’ full- time squad eventually turned up to White’s home for the event, which kicked off at 3.30pm.
More than 40 Broncos employees attended, including first- graders Matt Gillett, Alex Glenn, Anthony Milford, Matt Lodge, Tevita Pangai Jr, Jamayne Isaako and James Roberts. Sam Thaiday and Josh McGuire stayed behind in Townsville after the Cowboys game.
Broncos coaching assistants, Jason Demetriou and Kurt Richards, plus a team of club physios, also visited White’s home.
But the absence of Bennett and Boyd was noted. It is understood Bennett, who had no plans to host the team, received text messages of support from several Broncos players.
White and Broncos chairman Karl Morris have ostensibly decided to begin a fresh era in 2020, but the impending dismissal of Bennett could spark a player exodus. Veteran backrower Glenn underlined the playing support for Bennett on Monday when he said: “Wayne’s got our backs and we’ve got Wayne’s back.”