Bennett snaps at rumours
WAYNE Bennett has declared he has no plans to walk out on his Brisbane deal and slammed suggestions he once groomed his coaching rival tonight, Storm coach Craig Bellamy, to replace him at the Broncos.
In a dramatic prelude to the Brisbane- Storm clash at Suncorp Stadium, Bennett lashed speculation he could be moved on by Broncos hierarchy to bring Bellamy – his former assistant – back to Red Hill.
The Broncos coach yesterday became so incensed over questions about his coaching future he walked out on his pre- match press conference, adding: “You guys ( the media) have ruined it.”
The off- contract Bellamy yesterday did not rule out a return to the Broncos, saying he is open to all offers.
Bennett is increasingly facing his mortality as an NRL coach, with Broncos legend Steve Renouf last month urging the 68- year- old to retire when his contract expires at the end of next year.
Bennett is under pressure to deliver Brisbane’s first premiership in 12 years – the longest title drought in the club’s history – and angrily hit back at claims he may not see out his current deal.
“I am coach here next year as far as I know,” said Bennett, who has won 10 of 32 games against Bellamy for a 31 per cent success rate.
“It could change, but that’s what’s happening.
“Nothing is permanent, nothing is temporary, even for coaches. But I have a contract here for next year.”
Bennett first employed Bellamy at the Broncos as his trainer in 1998. Brisbane won the premiership that year and it was widely viewed that the apprentice would eventually succeed the master at Red Hill.
But Bennett insists the perception that Bellamy was at the apex of his succession plan is as flawed as the current speculation that Broncos bosses are preparing for life in the post- Bennett era.
“I didn’t groom Craig for the job here once upon a time,” he said. “You had Paul Green ( Cowboys coach) coming here a month ago and now we’ve moved on ( to Bellamy).”
Bellamy, whose Storm side arrived in Brisbane yesterday, said: “To say I would never coach the Broncos ... I wouldn’t say that. I wouldn’t rule any option out.”