BIG HAND FOR JASE THE ACE

FORMER Wakefield skipper Jason Demetriou (above) has been backed to succeed Wayne Bennett as Brisbane Broncos coach.

England boss Bennett will not be retained by the Broncos when his contract expires at the end of 2019 and could leave before that. Senior Brisbane player Darious Boyd said of Demetriou, Bennett’s assistant: ‘’Jason has deserved the role. He and Wayne work really well together and he’s definitely ready.”

Former South Wales Scorpions coach Anthony Seibold — now in charge of Russell Crowe’s South Sydney — has also been linked with the job.