georgemladenov
08-10-2005, 07:01 AM
http://townsvillebulletin.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,7034,16851361%255E23214,00.html
Bennett sacks coaching staff
By Steve Ricketts
08oct05
IT was the day of the long knives at the Brisbane Broncos yesterday with head coach Wayne Bennett sacking former internationals and Queensland legends Kevin Walters, Gary Belcher and Glenn Lazarus from the coaching staff.
John Dixon, the coach of Broncos feeder club Toowoomba, also has parted ways with the club to pursue a head coaching job in Britain.
Broncos chief executive Bruno Cullen said it had been a "very emotional morning" at the club where Bennett addressed the entire coaching staff.
Lazarus said he had "nothing to say" and Belcher could not be contacted.
But Walters, Bennett's assistant coach and right-hand man, could not hide his disappointment although he wanted to make it clear he did not hold any grudges against the club or Bennett.
"The place is looking for a restructure and clearly I'm not in the picture," said Walters who captained Brisbane to their last premiership win in 2000.
"Maybe it's because I see things differently to what Wayne wants.
"But I don't hold any grudges. I love the place. It's been my life for the last 15 years.
"I'm not happy with the decision but that's footy. Sometimes you take a bad hit but you have to get up and get on with things.
"I still think I've got a lot to offer as a coach and I'm prepared to be patient and to wait for my chance."
Bennett is believed to be looking at foundation Broncos forward Terry Matterson; North Queensland Cowboys coaching staff member Kelly Egan and another former Bronco and Bennett's son-in-law Ben Ikin for a restructure of the club's coaching set-up.
Matterson is an assistant coach at the Canberra Raiders.
Changes have been in the wind since the Broncos finished with seven losses in a row after leading the NRL premiership for most of the season. The Broncos have won only one of the eight finals they have contested since their 2000 Grand Final win.
Bennett himself has come under fire from critics, former players and fans for being set in his ways and for being too loyal to underachieving players.
Yesterday he made it clear that while he might be part of the problem his resignation is not the solution.
After Bennett's meeting with his coaching staff the Broncos issued a press release that said Walters had resigned, Belcher "would be leaving" and Lazarus would be "replaced".
Belcher was the club's performance co-ordinator while Lazarus coached the colts to the Brisbane Grand Final.
Bennett was not available for comment but in the press release he said Walters, Belcher, Lazarus and Dixon had been outstanding ambassadors for the Broncos, had given 100 per cent in their jobs and all had possessed a wonderful work ethic.
"In each case I have had a long, enjoyable and fruitful association with these men and I appreciate everything they have done for me," he said.
It is understood while Bennett valued their friendship and knowledge he regarded them as "yes men" and is looking for people from outside the organisation with a new perspective.
Matterson has had experience in the Melbourne Storm and Raiders coaching set-ups while Egan, then coach of Wynnum Seagulls, was a regular at Broncos pre-season training before accepting a job at the Cowboys.
Ikin has an administrative role at the Broncos but could be given a chance as coach of the Clydesdales replacing Dixon, who is set to take up a position with a new club at Bridgend in Wales.
"I agreed in principle in May to go to Wales and I am grateful to Wayne for allowing me to stay on and finish the season with the Clydesdales," Dixon said.
"There is red tape to cut through before I go to Wales but I'm willing to take a gamble."
That old fart better not take Kelly Egan away from us!
Bennett sacks coaching staff
By Steve Ricketts
08oct05
IT was the day of the long knives at the Brisbane Broncos yesterday with head coach Wayne Bennett sacking former internationals and Queensland legends Kevin Walters, Gary Belcher and Glenn Lazarus from the coaching staff.
John Dixon, the coach of Broncos feeder club Toowoomba, also has parted ways with the club to pursue a head coaching job in Britain.
Broncos chief executive Bruno Cullen said it had been a "very emotional morning" at the club where Bennett addressed the entire coaching staff.
Lazarus said he had "nothing to say" and Belcher could not be contacted.
But Walters, Bennett's assistant coach and right-hand man, could not hide his disappointment although he wanted to make it clear he did not hold any grudges against the club or Bennett.
"The place is looking for a restructure and clearly I'm not in the picture," said Walters who captained Brisbane to their last premiership win in 2000.
"Maybe it's because I see things differently to what Wayne wants.
"But I don't hold any grudges. I love the place. It's been my life for the last 15 years.
"I'm not happy with the decision but that's footy. Sometimes you take a bad hit but you have to get up and get on with things.
"I still think I've got a lot to offer as a coach and I'm prepared to be patient and to wait for my chance."
Bennett is believed to be looking at foundation Broncos forward Terry Matterson; North Queensland Cowboys coaching staff member Kelly Egan and another former Bronco and Bennett's son-in-law Ben Ikin for a restructure of the club's coaching set-up.
Matterson is an assistant coach at the Canberra Raiders.
Changes have been in the wind since the Broncos finished with seven losses in a row after leading the NRL premiership for most of the season. The Broncos have won only one of the eight finals they have contested since their 2000 Grand Final win.
Bennett himself has come under fire from critics, former players and fans for being set in his ways and for being too loyal to underachieving players.
Yesterday he made it clear that while he might be part of the problem his resignation is not the solution.
After Bennett's meeting with his coaching staff the Broncos issued a press release that said Walters had resigned, Belcher "would be leaving" and Lazarus would be "replaced".
Belcher was the club's performance co-ordinator while Lazarus coached the colts to the Brisbane Grand Final.
Bennett was not available for comment but in the press release he said Walters, Belcher, Lazarus and Dixon had been outstanding ambassadors for the Broncos, had given 100 per cent in their jobs and all had possessed a wonderful work ethic.
"In each case I have had a long, enjoyable and fruitful association with these men and I appreciate everything they have done for me," he said.
It is understood while Bennett valued their friendship and knowledge he regarded them as "yes men" and is looking for people from outside the organisation with a new perspective.
Matterson has had experience in the Melbourne Storm and Raiders coaching set-ups while Egan, then coach of Wynnum Seagulls, was a regular at Broncos pre-season training before accepting a job at the Cowboys.
Ikin has an administrative role at the Broncos but could be given a chance as coach of the Clydesdales replacing Dixon, who is set to take up a position with a new club at Bridgend in Wales.
"I agreed in principle in May to go to Wales and I am grateful to Wayne for allowing me to stay on and finish the season with the Clydesdales," Dixon said.
"There is red tape to cut through before I go to Wales but I'm willing to take a gamble."
That old fart better not take Kelly Egan away from us!