Bennett to see out Brisbane contract but Broncos look to Bellamy as replacement
Wayne Bennett will see out his contract as Brisbane coach until the end of the 2019 NRL season but the Broncos have held talks with the Melbourne Storm's Craig Bellamy about taking the reins at the club in the future.
Bennett and Broncos chief executive Paul White spoke separately to the media in Brisbane on Wednesday, with both outlining there will be no change of coach in 2019.
But Bennett, who has coached the Broncos to six premierships, encouraged White and the club's board to approach Bellamy about taking over as head coach at some stage down the track.
Bellamy is off contract at the end of the season and it is reported the Broncos have offered the two-time premiership coach a four-year deal worth more than $5 million.
The 68-year-old Bennett, speaking on the eve of his 800th first grade match as coach, said he was staying put at the Broncos in 2019 but it was in the club's best interest to recruit Bellamy.
"I was part of the discussion and I said we would be silly not to look at Craig, who is coming off contract," Bennett said.
"He would have to sit out the year (should he coach the Broncos in 2020) … I initiated it (the discussions)."
Bennett would not consider coaching alongside Bellamy in 2019 nor would he rule out seeking a contract extension with the Broncos or coaching elsewhere.
"I will if I am in good shape. If I am where I want be," he said.
"That's that decision I need to think about myself."
White had earlier confirmed Bellamy was in the club's plans but Bennett would be in charge next season.
"We have spoken to Craig Bellamy, but at the moment he is considering an offer from Melbourne," he said.
"We will continue to work on all options. I am not ruling anything in or out as to whether Wayne might still be here in 2020."
Broncos to continue chasing Bellamy
White said Bennett, the Broncos' foundation coach in 1988, had been briefed about the club's intentions to sign Bellamy.
"Wayne has got a contract here until 2019," White said.
"At the moment, we're not looking beyond 2019. I have said to Wayne, we needed to obviously approach Craig if he was on the market.
"But obviously the first conversation that I need to have was with Wayne and with my chairman and that was part of that discussion."
The Storm have offered Bellamy a three-year contract extension but he has yet to give the club his answer.
Bennett said he does not believe Bellamy would make a decision immediately.
"I don't think it will happen tomorrow or the next day," he said.
"There are a lot of things to happen."
Bellamy worked on Bennett's staff at the Broncos, including a stint as assistant coach, before joining the Storm ahead of the 2003 NRL season.
He has coached the Storm in 406 NRL matches, claiming premierships in 2012 and 2017, with a 67.7 per cent win ratio.
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