Advertisement

Broncos CEO confirms Craig Bellamy approach


The Broncos and coach Wayne Bennett have confirmed reports the club met with Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy about taking the reins at Brisbane.

Broncos CEO Paul White said on Tuesday 68-year-old Bennett was told of the approach as the club looks to its NRL future beyond his contract, which runs until the of the 2019 campaign.

He said Bellamy was considering an offer to stay with the Storm, where he is only contracted until the end of this season.

“We have had a conversation with Craig Bellamy but at this point in time there are no negotiations taking place,” White said.

Bellamy has been strongly tipped to replace Bennett as Broncos coach. Pic: Getty
Bellamy has been strongly tipped to replace Bennett as Broncos coach. Pic: Getty

Bennett confirmed that he’d given the Broncos his blessing to speak with the off-contract Bellamy, with one eye on the future at the Brisbane club.

The super coach was unaware, however, that the meeting between Bellamy and the Broncos’ CEO had already taken place.

“I initiated it (the meeting),” Bennett told journalists on Wednesday morning.

“You’ve got to be honest in life … I didn’t want it unfolding without me having some control over it, without me being a part of it.

“I’ve spent 25 years of my life here.”

The 68-year-old admits he has to take his health into consideration when making a call on his future.

‘I’m trying to be honest as well. It could come pretty quickly for me, in six months time I could find myself in ill health and all of a sudden I can’t coach,” he said.

“I’ve got to be realistic and I’ve got to do the right thing by the club as well.

Bennett says he encouraged the Broncos to have discussions with Bellamy. Pic: Getty
Bennett says he encouraged the Broncos to have discussions with Bellamy. Pic: Getty

“I’m trying to do both those things so the club’s not at a disadvantage.”

However, Bennett dismissed suggestions he could work alongside Bellamy at Brisbane.

“That’s not going to happen. That’s just not going to happen,” he said.

White and Bennett were speaking after reports surfaced that Brisbane were ready to table a four-year deal worth more than $5 million for Bellamy to make a switch.

But Storm chief executive Dave Donaghy said Bellamy has been presented with an offer to stay at the club he’s led since 2003.

He has coached Melbourne in 406 NRL games, highlighted by premierships in 2012 and 2017.

“Craig has a significant three-year deal on the table with us. That’s been there for a month,” Donaghy told NRL.com.

Bellamy started his NRL coaching career with the Broncos as an assistant under Bennett in 1998 before taking charge of Melbourne five years later.

Bennett will coach his 800th NRL game when the Broncos play Parramatta on Thursday night.


With AAP