Bennett gives Thaiday the tap on the shoulder

[Harry Sack]

Wayne Bennett makes tough call on Sam Thaiday’s Broncos future

PETER BADEL, EXCLUSIVE, The Courier-Mail13 minutes ago
Subscriber only
WAYNE Bennett has made one of the toughest calls of his 40-year coaching career by telling Sam Thaiday he will not be re-signed by the Broncos.
Thaiday — one of Brisbane’s greatest servants — will be forced into retirement at the end of next year unless he opts to continue his 15-year NRL career with another club.
Almost three decades ago, the super coach famously axed Wally Lewis as Brisbane captain in a move that eventually led to the Queensland Origin icon signing with the Gold Coast.
Now Bennett has made another gut-wrenching call by privately advising Thaiday the 32-year-old would not be retained when his contract expired at the end of next year.
The Brisbane coach has enormous respect for Thaiday’s glittering contribution and is working on post-football employment for the 269-game warhorse.
“Next year will be the end for Sam with us, he knows that,” Bennett said.

Sam Thaiday’s Broncos career is coming to an end.
“Sam has a long-term future at the Broncos beyond football and I still want him to be part of the club in some way.
“He has such great credibility in the game. We are involved in a lot of indigenous programs where we can use guys like Sam and Justin Hodges, so there is a role.
“I guess it’s up to him if he wants to retire next year, but I just know we won’t be re-signing Sam and I’ve told him that.”
Bennett’s revelation caps a turbulent period for Thaiday. About four weeks ago, the veteran enforcer was axed by Queensland coach Kevin Walters, leaving him one Origin shy of joining the Maroons’ elite 30-game Statesmen’s Club.

Wayne Bennett has had to make some tough calls for the Broncos. Picture: Annette Dew
Thaiday has not spoken of retirement. He is fourth on Brisbane’s list of all-time appearances and on track to become just the third Bronco after Darren Lockyer (355) and Corey Parker (347) to play 300 NRL games.
Thaiday summoned all his experience to haul Brisbane out of trouble on Saturday night, setting up two tries in their 34-22 defeat of Newcastle.
Bennett handed Thaiday his top-grade debut as a 18-year-old in 2003 and has reduced his game time to maximise his impact in his twilight years.
“Sam has been a wonderful warrior and I want to give him the respect he deserves,” he said.

Sam Thaiday helped the Broncos overcome the Knights on Saturday.
“I’ve known Sam a long time. He has played tough his entire career. No one can ever say Sam Thaiday didn’t do his best for the Broncos.
“To be honest, we have to play Sam in small bursts these days. He was right in the middle of our comeback (against the Knights). He sensed the moment when we needed to lift and that’s what experience brings for you.”
Bennett said Thaiday, who helped the Broncos to a premiership in 2006 and has played 34 Tests for Australia, would have been stung by his Origin axing.
“But to his credit, he has got on with it,” he said.
“At his age, the commitment you need to play on at this level is huge.
“There’s a few young guys I’m now trying to teach to be the player that Sam Thaiday has been.”

 

[Horseheadsup]

Wayne Bennett makes tough call on Sam Thaiday’s Broncos future

PETER BADEL, EXCLUSIVE, The Courier-Mail13 minutes ago
Subscriber only
WAYNE Bennett has made one of the toughest calls of his 40-year coaching career by telling Sam Thaiday he will not be re-signed by the Broncos.
Thaiday — one of Brisbane’s greatest servants — will be forced into retirement at the end of next year unless he opts to continue his 15-year NRL career with another club.
Almost three decades ago, the super coach famously axed Wally Lewis as Brisbane captain in a move that eventually led to the Queensland Origin icon signing with the Gold Coast.
Now Bennett has made another gut-wrenching call by privately advising Thaiday the 32-year-old would not be retained when his contract expired at the end of next year.
The Brisbane coach has enormous respect for Thaiday’s glittering contribution and is working on post-football employment for the 269-game warhorse.
“Next year will be the end for Sam with us, he knows that,” Bennett said.

Sam Thaiday’s Broncos career is coming to an end.
“Sam has a long-term future at the Broncos beyond football and I still want him to be part of the club in some way.
“He has such great credibility in the game. We are involved in a lot of indigenous programs where we can use guys like Sam and Justin Hodges, so there is a role.
“I guess it’s up to him if he wants to retire next year, but I just know we won’t be re-signing Sam and I’ve told him that.”
Bennett’s revelation caps a turbulent period for Thaiday. About four weeks ago, the veteran enforcer was axed by Queensland coach Kevin Walters, leaving him one Origin shy of joining the Maroons’ elite 30-game Statesmen’s Club.

Wayne Bennett has had to make some tough calls for the Broncos. Picture: Annette Dew
Thaiday has not spoken of retirement. He is fourth on Brisbane’s list of all-time appearances and on track to become just the third Bronco after Darren Lockyer (355) and Corey Parker (347) to play 300 NRL games.
Thaiday summoned all his experience to haul Brisbane out of trouble on Saturday night, setting up two tries in their 34-22 defeat of Newcastle.
Bennett handed Thaiday his top-grade debut as a 18-year-old in 2003 and has reduced his game time to maximise his impact in his twilight years.
“Sam has been a wonderful warrior and I want to give him the respect he deserves,” he said.

Sam Thaiday helped the Broncos overcome the Knights on Saturday.
“I’ve known Sam a long time. He has played tough his entire career. No one can ever say Sam Thaiday didn’t do his best for the Broncos.
“To be honest, we have to play Sam in small bursts these days. He was right in the middle of our comeback (against the Knights). He sensed the moment when we needed to lift and that’s what experience brings for you.”
Bennett said Thaiday, who helped the Broncos to a premiership in 2006 and has played 34 Tests for Australia, would have been stung by his Origin axing.
“But to his credit, he has got on with it,” he said.
“At his age, the commitment you need to play on at this level is huge.
“There’s a few young guys I’m now trying to teach to be the player that Sam Thaiday has been.”

Watched Sammy since his debut. Feel a bit sad really.

 

[I bleed Maroon]

Had to be done. The fact he has even got next year left to go is a bit disappointing. I love Sam as a character and a person, I always have but when it comes to his footy, he is welllll past it.

 

[Mr Fourex]

On ya Sammy.....!!

Cheers!

 

[I bleed Maroon]

Wayne Bennett makes tough call on Sam Thaiday’s Broncos future

PETER BADEL, EXCLUSIVE, The Courier-Mail13 minutes ago
Subscriber only
WAYNE Bennett has made one of the toughest calls of his 40-year coaching career by telling Sam Thaiday he will not be re-signed by the Broncos.
Thaiday — one of Brisbane’s greatest servants — will be forced into retirement at the end of next year unless he opts to continue his 15-year NRL career with another club.
Almost three decades ago, the super coach famously axed Wally Lewis as Brisbane captain in a move that eventually led to the Queensland Origin icon signing with the Gold Coast.
Now Bennett has made another gut-wrenching call by privately advising Thaiday the 32-year-old would not be retained when his contract expired at the end of next year.
The Brisbane coach has enormous respect for Thaiday’s glittering contribution and is working on post-football employment for the 269-game warhorse.
“Next year will be the end for Sam with us, he knows that,” Bennett said.

Sam Thaiday’s Broncos career is coming to an end.
“Sam has a long-term future at the Broncos beyond football and I still want him to be part of the club in some way.
“He has such great credibility in the game. We are involved in a lot of indigenous programs where we can use guys like Sam and Justin Hodges, so there is a role.
“I guess it’s up to him if he wants to retire next year, but I just know we won’t be re-signing Sam and I’ve told him that.”
Bennett’s revelation caps a turbulent period for Thaiday. About four weeks ago, the veteran enforcer was axed by Queensland coach Kevin Walters, leaving him one Origin shy of joining the Maroons’ elite 30-game Statesmen’s Club.

Wayne Bennett has had to make some tough calls for the Broncos. Picture: Annette Dew
Thaiday has not spoken of retirement. He is fourth on Brisbane’s list of all-time appearances and on track to become just the third Bronco after Darren Lockyer (355) and Corey Parker (347) to play 300 NRL games.
Thaiday summoned all his experience to haul Brisbane out of trouble on Saturday night, setting up two tries in their 34-22 defeat of Newcastle.
Bennett handed Thaiday his top-grade debut as a 18-year-old in 2003 and has reduced his game time to maximise his impact in his twilight years.
“Sam has been a wonderful warrior and I want to give him the respect he deserves,” he said.

Sam Thaiday helped the Broncos overcome the Knights on Saturday.
“I’ve known Sam a long time. He has played tough his entire career. No one can ever say Sam Thaiday didn’t do his best for the Broncos.
“To be honest, we have to play Sam in small bursts these days. He was right in the middle of our comeback (against the Knights). He sensed the moment when we needed to lift and that’s what experience brings for you.”
Bennett said Thaiday, who helped the Broncos to a premiership in 2006 and has played 34 Tests for Australia, would have been stung by his Origin axing.
“But to his credit, he has got on with it,” he said.
“At his age, the commitment you need to play on at this level is huge.
“There’s a few young guys I’m now trying to teach to be the player that Sam Thaiday has been.”

As posted by @Harry Sack in the player rumors thread.

Had to be done. The fact he has even got next year left to go is a bit disappointing. I love Sam as a character and a person, I always have but when it comes to his footy, he is welllll past it.

 

[tommy]

Bennett is an idiot, why would you actually tell him that?. Thaiday plays well when he thinks he's playing for a new contract. Watch him stink it up for the next year and a half.

 

[Alec]

Bennett is an idiot, why would you actually tell him that?. Thaiday plays well when he thinks he's playing for a new contract. Watch him stink it up for the next year and a half.

If he stinks it up, Wayne will just drop him altogether. Not a big deal.

 

[ningnangnong]

Sammy T is an absolute bloody legend.

Even though the time is right, it's going to be sad to see him go.

One of my all-time favourite Broncos.

 

[Broncs_Fan]

It's a bit worrying how Sam will play going forward.

 

[Big Pete]

Bennett is an idiot, why would you actually tell him that?. Thaiday plays well when he thinks he's playing for a new contract. Watch him stink it up for the next year and a half.

His best years (2008, 2010, 2015) came when he still had years on his existing deal.

It's a myth really, albeit I'm surprised Bennett signed Sam in the first place.

 

[Kimlo]

There's an argument for playing a year too long with Thaiday, but he's a quality guy, and I'm happy he played out his career with us. It's good to hear Bennett wants to keep him around post footy.

Hopefully knowing it's hist last year, it spurs him to give it his all and go out at the top of his game.

 

[jarro65]

Thanks for everything Sam, but it's the right call to move you on.

 

[Horseheadsup]

Sammy T is an absolute bloody legend.

Even though the time is right, it's going to be sad to see him go.

One of my all-time favourite Broncos.

Me too mate.

 

[Accept]

No shock there, it was always going to happen. I would be shocked if he manages to have a regular gig till the end of next year. He is an absolute club legend but his consistency has been a concern for quite some time now.

 

[Morkel]

His best years (2008, 2010, 2015) came when he still had years on his existing deal.

It's a myth really, albeit I'm surprised Bennett signed Sam in the first place.

I don't think it's a myth. The year he won Dally M back-rower was a contract year. I'm pretty sure every year that he's been in negotiations we've seen his peak.

I wouldn't be surprised if we're seeing the ultimate effects of his Osteotis Pubis or whatever it is slowing him down.

Why it's not being publicly acknowledged by either Thaiday or the Broncos is probably a matter of respect and pride. No excuses.

 

[Super Freak]

Sam Thaiday is past it as a battering ram and a hard running backrower, but his ball skills and offloads are still something that can give us an extra edge against our opponents.

I'm not sure why we don't change his game and start utilizing that more.

 

[Big Pete]

I don't think it's a myth. The year he won Dally M back-rower was a contract year. I'm pretty sure every year that he's been in negotiations we've seen his peak.

I wouldn't be surprised if we're seeing the ultimate effects of his Osteotis Pubis or whatever it is slowing him down.

Why it's not being publicly acknowledged by either Thaiday or the Broncos is probably a matter of respect and pride. No excuses.

He also won it in 2010, when he actually deserved it. In 2011 it was a default pick, kind of like Prince in 2010 or Cherry-Evans in 2015.

It sounds nice, but it's a myth.

 

[broncsgoat]

He need 34 games to get to 300.