Wayne Bennett confirmed as 2015 coach of Brisbane Broncos

[Rabbir]

Can't believe the negativity shown towards Bennett. Some broncos fans you are. The guys is a master class coach. He's produced Premiership winners & Origin warhorses. He delivered 6 premierships to the GREATEST CLUB OF ALL TIME. It's a great win for the Broncos!!! I know he will bring us a premiership again. GO BRISBANE BRONCOS!!!!!

 

[subsbligh]

2014 - doin it for Hook. Let's hope the boys can finally start playing for the coach.

 

[broncos4life]

If he gets results, then who cares how old he is or how long he is coach for?

But it won't be a moral victory and thats important... apparently

 

[Porthoz]

Oh well... welcome back Benny.

LOL at those comparing Bennett with an exciting ex G/F. It's just a boring ex who knew how to give one hell of a blow job!

The footy will be as boring, but at least you know how to use a bench and with next season's roster, you probably will be able to set-up your one pony trick perfectly again (second man play).

- Please don't put Stagg at centre or 5/8.
- Please don't bring J. Smith, Mason, Cuthbertson, B. Scott or even Boyd with you. Gagai might be ok...

I hope whoever takes over from you, does it in the underhanded same way you did with Griffin.

P.S. I wanted Griffin gone, but this whole affair has a horrible sour taste.

 

[subsbligh]

That was a long time ago. Barba might get offered a release but he has little options if he wants to stay in Brisbane.

1. Darius Boyd
6. Milford
7. Hunt

Barba -> Titans -> Cowboys -> QCUP -> fade into nothingness as an example of wasted talent.

 

[Kaz]

Bennett better start talking to the media & he underling Boyd (when he re-signs) better talk to the media as well.

I think when Boyd leaves Newcastle the fans will be holding street parties. (he isn't liked)

 

[MaroubraBroncos]

Love to set up a poll..........Seems very 50/50

 

[Waynesaurus]

NO BOYD! Please god........no Boyd!

 

[subsbligh]

If he gets results, then who cares how old he is or how long he is coach for?

What about if he doesn't get results (i.e. anything less than a premiership in the next 2 years), walks out (because he's Wayne Bennett, and that's what he does) and whoever is left standing (Stephen Kearney, the water boy, Kevin Walters, Ivan Henjak) gets installed by default and puts the Broncos back another 6 years, probably in an environment where a second Brisbane team is almost guaranteed, and the Broncos are stuck living in the 90s and unable to evolve or reinvent themselves?

 

[Rabbir]

Boyd is not coming back. So just stop it.

 

[Kaz]

I hope whoever takes over from you, does it in the underhanded same way you did with Griffin.

This is what I don't get, Kevin Walters, Glenn Lazarus & Gary Belcher tried a coup in 2005 & dictator Bennett found out & sacked them.

Now one of the coup leaders is his side kick. :laugh:

 

[johnny plath]

Can someone remind me who Bennett walked out on?? Thought ended with Newcastle because Tinkler got the boot, thought he did his time at dragons and they actually extended him, and 21 years here before??? and a fallout with a previous board??

 

[Brett]

What about if he doesn't get results (i.e. anything less than a premiership in the next 2 years), walks out (because he's Wayne Bennett, and that's what he does) and whoever is left standing (Stephen Kearney, the water boy, Kevin Walters, Ivan Henjak) gets installed by default and puts the Broncos back another 6 years, probably in an environment where a second Brisbane team is almost guaranteed, and the Broncos are stuck living in the 90s and unable to evolve or reinvent themselves?

What about if... We win a premiership next year and Bennett convinces Bellamy to Coach Brisbane after he retires?

Bennett took a very average Knights team to the finals last year, while even with our roster, we couldn't make the finals and finished 13th. Don't underestimate the impact of McKinnon on that team this year. It's screwed with Bennett's head a bit this year and he's a fucking resilient and strong minded individual. Don't forget also, he's set the club up for success now. Maybe the playing roster isn't ideal, but their NYC team is leading the comp with a +246 differential. The facilities are all totally revamped, all new staff and a direction for them to head in. It's all there for the next coach to pick up and run with.

I'll wait till about round 13 next year before I pass judgement, however, one thing I do know, is that we'll see improvement in Hunt and Milford for sure. Bennett, Walters, Lockyer and Langer will be around on a consistent basis one would imagine.

As far as what the team will look like, who knows. We should wait and see how this all plays out first, but I reckon there's a couple of younger players in the current line up who are asking themselves some pretty tough questions today.

 

[Big Pete]

A very bittersweet moment.

The boys are back in town. It was inevitable that Wayne would return to Brisbane and choosing now to do so suggests that he feels the end of his career is nigh and has chosen to finish what he started with the Broncos. I have a lot of time for Bennett as a coach and will be very interested to see what he makes of the current roster and how he plans to win a premiership with it because make no mistake about it, a 8th premiership would be the only premiership he needs.

I feel for Anthony Griffin. He'll be remembered as a failure at the Broncos, just another factor in the post-Lockyer years who failed to get the most out of his team. A mere Bennett knock off if you will. Under Hook, the Broncos very rarely surrendered, they fought to the bitter end even when the execution was off. Hook never lied, the effort more often than not was always there but unfortunately the team lacked guidance and confidence. As beneficial as Hook had been to a lot of these players careers at both the Dolphins and at the Broncos NYC side where I believe his legacy should be remembered as he was very very good at those levels.

At the end of the day, I believe the prevaling thought on Griffin's career is that certain coaches are great at certain levels but the NRL competition is a different beast entirely. Very few coaches have succesful careers and while all you can do is give them a shot, more often than not, it's a complete lottery in terms of how they'll perform. Some coaches inherit a side filled with fantastic players, others have to basically rebuild a side.

The way I see it, there was only one viable alternative to Griffin, and that was Bennett. Sure, there could be a greater coach out there, somewhere, but it was always going to be a risky situation. Under Bennett, a succession plan can be put into place and instead of half-assing it like they did last time by appointing a third-rate Henjak, the coach will be sure of their standing and their ability to coach the side.

At least as long as the Price is right.

 

[theshed]

Wow some of you peaoe are hard to please.

You wanted Hook gone and he is. On top of that, he's been replaced by the most successful nrl coach of all time. Is he flawless or even still the best? No. Is he better than Hook/anyone else available? By miles.

Even if Kearny is our coach for the rest of the season I think we will make the 8. He isn't as bad as parra made him look and might not even be as bad a hook. If we don't make the 8 it is more a reflection of the poor attitude tht has overrun our club and players, which is another huge positive about Bennett coming.

Bennett doesn't need to be a brilliant tactician with the squad well have next year. If he gets their attitude right we will be in finals contention.

I am personally very excited.

I have no doubts hook will get a gig at a mid-low level club and will exceed their expectations but we are a top tier club and expect more than he can deliver.

 

[mrslong]

What short memories a lot of people here have.
1.) in 2005 Cullen tried to get rid of Bennett. In 2006 Bennett had a plan to go to the roosters because of Cullen. He ended up staying & sacked his support staff (who have all said is was a good call because they needed to broaden their horizons) and lead us to the premiership (with Shane perry at 7 no less).
2.) Cullen still pissed & full of his own importance got rid of Bennett in 2008, he wanted to go to the cowboys but the board didn't want him (lol) so he went to St George.
3.) he got St George the perennial chokers a premiership with Ben Hornby at 7.
4.) He always said he'd only stay for a few years, tinkler wooed him with the promise of a golden nest egg for his two disabled children.
5.) he lead a very below average side to within one win of the premiership in 2013, whilst the broncos with an epic star studded side crashed out in their worst ever season under griffin.
6.) this year at the knights he and his players weren't paid and had one of the most tragic on field events in the last 50 odd years occur, it's a miracle they are even making a team to compete each week IMO.

7.) Griffin has been rubbish, he would be a good understudy as there is no doubt he is a man of honour and integrity.

8.) the broncos board wouldn't be bringing him in if they didn't have a succession plan.

 

[Brett]

Agreed on Griffin. I don't see him having a hard time getting another coaching gig. He'd do well at the Titans, or the Tigers.

 

[Brett]

Official press release...

Broncos Coaching Statement - Broncos

THE Brisbane Broncos today confirm that Anthony Griffin will finish his tenure as head coach of the club at the conclusion of the 2014 season.

Wayne Bennett will return as head coach of the Broncos in 2015.

Griffin today said he had accepted the decision made by the board, and would focus all his energies on winning the 2014 NRL premiership for the club.

“I have been at the Broncos for seven years, with four of those as head coach, and have thoroughly enjoyed my time,” said Griffin.

“I am confident that the team and club are set up to have sustained success in the years to come.

“I would like to thank all the members and fans for the support they have shown me.

“And I especially want to thank all the players and staff that I have worked with, and confirm my commitment to the team for the rest of the 2014 season.”

Chief executive Paul White today thanked Griffin for his years of work for the club, and said there was much to be excited about for the conclusion to this season.

“By the end of the season Anthony will have had four years in the head coaching role and his legacy will be a strong and proud one,” said White.

“As our members and supporters are aware, Anthony has been largely responsible for the development of the nucleus of our current squad.

“He has always shown the mark of his character and integrity in his ability to make difficult decisions in the face of adversity and for the betterment of the club as a whole.

“He has got the team into a strong position this year, who now have everything to play for in the remaining weeks of the season.”

The Broncos will hold a press conference at 2.30pm this afternoon to answer questions from the media.