Changes made to Bronco staff....

[Ghoulies]

Coaching changes at Broncos
Friday October 07, 2005

The Brisbane Broncos have today announced a restructure of the coaching staff at the club for Season 2006 following the resignation of assistant coach Kevin Walters.

Broncos managing director, Bruno Cullen, has revealed that following Walters’ decision to resign and an extensive review of Season 2005, Toowoomba Clydesdales coach John Dixon and Performance Director Gary Belcher would be leaving. And Broncos Colts coach Glenn Lazarus will also be replaced after announcing his resignation today as well.

Walters, Wayne Bennett’s assistant coach for the past three seasons, this morning resigned his position, and will pursue his business interests with the Hand Wash Cafe chain in Brisbane. He said that although rugby league and coaching remained in his blood, at the moment his commercial interests needed his full attention.

Belcher said he would also be following other business interests in the personal training field, and Dixon – as has been widely reported – has committed to pursing his coaching career with the Celtic Crusaders in Wales.

Mr Cullen said that in search of continued improvement and to remain at the cutting edge, the Broncos were now looking at engaging highly-qualified and experienced personnel in various specialist roles.

“During the next month we will be endeavouring to fill the vacancies created today, and hopefully announcements on these appointments can be made over the coming weeks,” he said.

“We are currently in negotiations with a number of possible candidates and because of their individual commitments at this time, announcements cannot be made until each has the opportunity to finalise any current obligations they may have.”

Broncos Director of Coaching, Wayne Bennett, said today that without exception the coaching personnel leaving the club 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.

Mr Cullen said the four men would leave the Broncos with the best wishes of the club and thanks and appreciation for the jobs they have done.

“I certainly hope they remain part of the Broncos fabric and that their careers – in whatever field they chose – blossom from here,” he said.

http://broncos.com.au/index.cfm?TopMenuID=266&MenuID=296&NewsID=2420

 

[Dazzat]

It looks like these guys have put the interests of the team in front of their own - I take my hat off to them all for walking away. That takes courage (some may disagree).

A new set of eyes, and some different ideas will do wonders for the club.

 

[axl rose]

It looks like these guys have put the interests of the team in front of their own - I take my hat off to them all for walking away. That takes courage (some may disagree).

A new set of eyes, and some different ideas will do wonders for the club.

I think you may need some yourself because it looks pretty clear to me that Bennett sacked them.

 

[Dazzat]

A typical cynic's view. If you haven't got the idea after watching Bennett perform over 15+ years, he does things a little differently than other coaches. Not everyone's a knuckle-head ... there are people who DO put the the team before their own interests. Take Alan Langer resigning when he felt he was letting his team mates down ... I believe this attitude is something Bennett has built into the culture of the club, which doesn't mean everyone follows suit.

 

[Big Pete]

I'm happy with it as long as things start to change within the club.

 

[Dazzat]

I stand corrected. Newpaper reports today said that all were asked to leave. Bennett's looking at Terry Matterson (assistant coach of the Raiders) and Kelly Egan from the Cowboys. The report said Bennett regards Lazarus, Walters and Belcher as "yes men". This is not a good sign when four men are given the boot and the head coach escapes ... if they are looking for real change this ain't the way ...

 

[pennywisealfie]

the walters sacking is bullsh*t

 

[JoeysWheelchair05]

Although I don't think these kind of things are good for any club, I am glad that it has happened now at the start of the off season, rather than during a season. That would be disasterous. That said, while they're doing a mass clean out, release Carlaw and get Lance Thompson. Also release some of the other hacks and get Michael Ennis. I can't believe that over the last 2 years with all the players off contract, we didn't make a play for any of them really, we only picked up Hodges who practically threw himself at the Broncos and said he wanted to come back, and Thorn who made a return from union. In the next 2-3 years we are going to have money to burn with our old forwards who are taking up alot of the cap retiring. It is annoying to see good young players coming from the South Queensland area over the last few years, making big impacts in the NRL, yet the Broncos are persisting with alot of rubbish.

I think it is also backed up by the Cowboys outdoing the Broncos the last 2 seasons. They've had good recruitment and have alot of youngsters, and that has also been reflected through the Young Guns winning the QLD Cup this season quite comfortably, while the Clydesdales (similar to the Broncos) are just making up the numbers come the finals time.

Options for the Broncos to look at:
Make a play for Ennis, he would be handy, likewise with Thompson if he comes off contract
Look to recruit a winger, there are alot around, surely Bott and Minto aren't the cream of the crop. It is easy to blame union for taking Sailor and Tuqiri, but they've been gone for a while now. I think we almost have the worst wingers in the competition.
Make a play for Brent McConnell for 2007

Watch them wipe the egg off their faces next year when Berrick Barnes is doing big things for the reds.

 

[Ghoulies]

Its only been 3 days, but the club has already announced the replacements for the departed Walters, Lazarus, Belcher and Dickson.

They are:

Clydesdales: Mark Gee (former assistant coach at the Burleigh Bears)
Assistant coach: Ivan Henjak (coached the Clydesdales/Brothers from 94 to 00)
Defence co-ordinator: Peter Ryan
Kicking coach: Paul Green
*Team manager: Andrew Gee
*Special Projects/recruitment manager: Paul Bunn

* - new position

The club is still searching for Belchers replacement.

Source: http://www.broncos.com.au/index.cfm?TopMenuID=266&MenuID=296&NewsID=2427

 

[Nevcost]

I think the Broncos are trying to search for someone like Barry Johnstone for badge's position

 

[rugged]

I think the Broncos are trying to search for someone like Barry Johnstone for badge's position

Do you mean Brian Johnson?

 

[JoeysWheelchair05]

Its only been 3 days, but the club has already announced the replacements for the departed Walters, Lazarus, Belcher and Dickson.

They are:

Clydesdales: Mark Gee (former assistant coach at the Burleigh Bears)
Assistant coach: Ivan Henjak (coached the Clydesdales/Brothers from 94 to 00)
Defence co-ordinator: Peter Ryan
Kicking coach: Paul Green
*Team manager: Andrew Gee
*Special Projects/recruitment manager: Paul Bunn

* - new position

The club is still searching for Belchers replacement.

Source: http://www.broncos.com.au/index.cfm?TopMenuID=266&MenuID=296&NewsID=2427

No comment on that one.............

I wonder if Alfie is at all interested in a role? Or if he had even been approached?

 

[Ghoulies]

I wonder if Alfie is at all interested in a role? Or if he had even been approached?

I think Alf may have already ruled out the possibility of ditching his current role as backs co-ordinator for a more serious coaching position.

 

[Mr Saab]

Do you mean Brian Johnson?

he means billy johnstone. The once head trainer of the dogs and now with the Cowboys. There is strong talk he will be headed to the Broncos.

 

[salivor]

he means billy johnstone. The once head trainer of the dogs and now with the Cowboys. There is strong talk he will be headed to the Broncos.

He would be of more value to the Broncos than any player on the open market. The size and fitness level of our forwards is pretty attrocious, it's no surprise we haven't won a comp since the comp got rid of unlimited interchange.

 

[Big Pete]

Agreed with salivor, I would love the purchase of him, heavily doubt it though.