Long post ahead... people with short attention span (
@Nashy :p) and WB sycophants may want to skip this.
Based on everything that transpired until today... this is the alleged chronological chain of events:
- The CEO/Board presented Bennett with a proposal to continue his career at the Broncos in a high administrative function, as a recognition of his value and tenure at the club. Bennett wanted to keep coaching, and asked instead for an extension, which was not granted. This probably didn't go down well on both sides and explains White's assessment about things starting to sour 6 months ago.
- The Broncos went on to look for Bennett's successor and obviously tried to snare the current best in the business. According to the Broncos board, this had been communicated to Bennett (by his own admission as well). We'll probably never know who sabotaged the negotiations by leaking them, with rumours pointing to Bennett being the originator, either directly to the press or via the Storm. It's certainly a possibility as well that Bellamy used the Broncos to get a better deal from the Storm...
- Relationship between Broncos CEO and Head Coach are at an all time low when BBQ gate happens, making Bennett look quite smug and egotistical.
- Broncos publicly interview candidates to take over the reigns at the Broncos for 2020. Seibold is the chosen one, over Bennett's crown prince (JD) and many people's favourite (Kevvie).
- Shane Richardson approaches WB for the Rabbitohs job once he realises he was probably going to lose Seibold to the Broncos. Bennett, already being courted by the Wests Tigers, agrees to terms with Souths for 2020.
So far, it's kinda business as usual in the cutthroat world of professional sports, especially Rugby League, and it would make sense to expedite the coach swap, except...
- Broncos and Bennett maintain that he will be the coach for the 2019 season, although Souths appears to be pushing for an early trade, and many indicators point to Bennett moving south before pre-season training starts. Everyone looks set for the coach exchange...
- However, after a meeting between the Broncos Chairman and WB just over a week ago, both announce WB will remain in place for 2019. Negotiations for the coach swap between clubs however was still occurring in the background, as confirmed by Paul White today.
- Judging by the email released today, Bennett and Souths were after all, definitely planning to go ahead with the move. Wayne was actively making decisions about roster, training camp, etc... while Souths tell Seibold he could empty his desk on Thursday, as Bennett would be at Redfern by the 3rd of December.
- Bennett catches everyone by surprise, showing up unexpectedly at training on Friday, and scheduling a surprise Press Conference without management's knowledge. Paul White catches wind of it, and has a less than pleasant chat with WB before said presser, in which Bennett announces again that he plans to honour his contract at the Broncos.
- Seibold, in Brisbane for a different event, but according to rumours, scheduled to appear at a Broncos presser, reacts angrily to the latest development.
- In a tell all interview, Seibold takes aim at Bennett and Souths, while a leaked email confirms what many suspected. WB has lied about never discussing the 2019 season with Souths, when he categorically denied it on Friday.
- Broncos announce Bennett's sacking via a short press release. In the latter presser, Paul White confirms he had to do this via voicemail and email, as he couldn't reach Wayne despite multiple attempts.
- Both clubs shortly after announce their new coaches for 2019 officially, with Wayne's sudden availability and surreal comments making a lot of people drop their jaw...
“I’m really pleased it’s all resolved and that I can join this great club with a free mind, knowing I did the right thing by the fans, staff and players,” Bennett said.
“I’m really looking forward to being at South Sydney and working with the players, staff, board and all of the members.
“It’s a wonderful club, South Sydney, and I feel privileged to have the chance to coach this team.”
All of the above is pretty much what is known publicly. Of course, the question is what happened behind the scenes, and the reason behind Wayne's stubbornness...
Everyone can take their own conclusions from the above, and many have already.
To me, although no one comes smelling like roses out of this, Bennett definitely appears to be the central figure in all the twists and reversals, lying to people on both sides (judging by the leaked email about his dealings with Souths, as well as White/Morris' statements about arrangements being made for ancillary personnel), being manipulative and creating insurmountable issues for everyone.
Whether he did force his sacking for ego, money or both, the situation had indeed become untenable (yep, I went there). I fully support the Broncos decision to sack him, and I hope they do not pay him a cent.
They appear to have tried to do the right thing by Wayne, first by offering him a long term position at the club, commensurate with his stand in the game and the club, then by accepting he get a deserved farewell from the club he helped build, when common sense would dictate coaches be swapped earlier.
Bennett was definitely trying to double dip, meddling into Souths as well as Broncos player recruitment/retention, and I have no doubt he would have tried to have the best of both worlds at Redfern in 2020. While ethically questionable at best, I can't really blame him for attempting this, but I am glad the White and Morris have cut the chord and put the club first.
It will give Seibold a chance to make the Broncos players want to stick with him at the club. Likewise with Bennett at Souths, although it appears he had already started that game. I guess we'll find out which players go where in 2020...
I really hope Seibold's reactions were not a result of him cracking under pressure, as it would not bode well for him at the highest pressure coaching job in Australia, but merely a big **** you to Wayne after being stuffed around multiple times. He certainly gave the Broncos all the ammo they needed to boot Bennett.
They now definitely have a basis for a justifiable termination with everything that has come to light, although it is quite likely a settlement will be reached, as is often the case in these situations. I highly doubt it will be in full or even close to it though.
P.S. What I also found interesting about all this, is how some people are shooting the messenger (Seibold, if rumours are true), and ignoring the message (Bennett's backhanded dealings with Souffs), just to avoid painting WB in a bad light.