Ben Ikin’s appointment as the Brisbane Broncos’ new head of football has extinguished Wayne Bennett’s appetite for an unlikely return to Red Hill, according to reports.
Bennett, who was unceremoniously sacked by the Broncos in 2018, is in his final season as head coach of the South Sydney Rabbitohs.
The 71-year-old will permanently move back to Brisbane at the end of his commitments with the Bunnies.
Bennett has publicly sent mixed messages about his desire to return to the club he coached to six premierships.
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Speaking in April, he declared he had ‘moved on’ and expressed an interest in being involved in a Queensland-based NRL expansion club.
But Bennett last month refused to rule out a possible Broncos return after some flattering comments from new CEO Dave Donaghy, who beat Ikin for the top job.
It is understood Bennett has been angling for a return to Red Hill as a senior advisor to coach Kevin Walters behind the scenes for several months.
Several dominoes would have had to have fallen in the seven-time-premiership-winning-coach’s favour for him to be welcomed back into the Broncos fold following his acrimonious exit three years ago.
But as first reported by The Courier Mail, Bennett has now abandoned his campaign for a third stint at the club following Ikin’s appointment.
The popular Fox Sports host, who played 55 games for the Broncos, will begin his new role as the struggling club’s head of football on Monday after replacing the sacked Peter O’Sullivan.
Ikin also doubles as Bennett’s son-in-law, however the pair fell out several years ago.
While Ikin’s appointment and departure from his popular NRL 360 program came as a shock, Bennett’s comments last week indicate the master coach had an inkling of what was coming.
Speaking after his Rabbitohs handed the Broncos a 46-0 hiding at Suncorp Stadium last Thursday, Bennett did not sound like a man who thought he would be back in a Broncos polo shirt in the coming months.
“You haven’t got enough time for me to tell you so move on,” Bennett deadpanned when asked for his thoughts on the current state of the club he helped build.
He replied ‘next question’ when asked if incumbent coach Kevin Walters is the right man to lead the 16th-placed Broncos out of their current predicament.
It now appears Bennett’s best option of continuing his legendary career lies with the NRL’s potential 17th team.
The Brisbane Firehawks, Redcliffe Dolphins and Brisbane Jets have been shortlisted, with the ARLC expected to make its final decision next month.
If a 17th licence is granted, the new club will make its NRL debut in the 2023 season.
