Broncos sack Bennett by voicemail

When Brisbane Broncos chief executive Paul White sacked Wayne Bennett, bringing down the curtain on his 25-year career at the club, it was done via voicemail.

White told reporters of the call and his decision to sack Bennett with a year remaining on his contract ahead of a coach switch with South Sydney’s Anthony Seibold with a heavy heart. He said it was “not ideal” and that he had wished to do so “face-to-face”.

He said Bennett did not answer his phone call, so he was forced to leave a voicemail message for the coach who had been at the helm for all six Broncos premierships.

“I made multiple phone calls and I unfortunately had to communicate that decision via voice message and over email,” White said.

“You might ask was that disappointing? Yes, it was. But such was the nature of this whole issue that it was important we had it resolved, particularly before the players returned [yesterday]. I wasn’t in a position to speak to him directly.”

It is understood Bennett did not ignore the calls but was not in a position to accept them. He had apparently left his phone behind at home and was visiting family for several hours, only to return home and be told by his partner that he had been sacked.

White, when asked to pinpoint what led to the decision to sack Bennett, said the reasons would remain confidential but that the club was unaware Bennett would be holding his press conference on Friday.

Bennett, just 48 hours earlier, had reiterated his position that he would be staying at the club when the Broncos had believed a coaching swap with Seibold was over the line.

“We were certainly disappointed with the way that played out,” White said. “The decision has certainly not been easy. It’s a very tough decision, one we never saw coming.

“We no longer had faith that we could give ourselves the best chance of performing if we continued on the path we were continuing on.”

White said the decision was made by himself and the Brisbane board, not the players. He said with the full squad back for pre-season training yesterday, a decision had to be made.

“Players need clarity and consistency,” White said. “We couldn’t afford to go through another week of what we went through last week, let alone for the rest of the pre-season. The decision gives us the chance to move forward. I think the reaction from the players will be very positive.”