FORMER Australian Rugby League chief executive John Quayle is likely to play a key role in the rebuilding of Newcastle but coach Wayne Bennett is no closer to deciding his future following a meeting between Knights officials and the NRL yesterday.
Quayle, who ran the game when the Knights were ushered into the competition in 1988, attended the meeting at the invitation of the NRL.
One of the country’s most respected sporting administrators, Quayle has urged the NRL to adopt a patient approach to rebuilding the Knights in the wake of Nathan Tinkler’s exit as owner.
Whether Bennett will be part of the rebuild is yet to be determined. The seven-time premiership winner emerged from yesterday’s meeting with greater clarity over the club’s future but no closer to finalising whether he would be in charge next season.
Bennett revealed the Knights were rebuilding, which could take as long as five years.
“There was lots of clarity about lots of things but nothing about my position so much,” Bennett said. “It was discussed but not in any great deal. We have all agreed to come back in a week or two and talk about it.
“I am comfortable I am employable going forward. So I am not stressing about anything like that. What I liked about today was the NRL holds the licence but they don’t want to be involved.
“The club is debt-free from today. The club wants to look at a new start as well.”
When it was pointed out he probably never envisaged staying in Newcastle for another four or five years, Bennett replied: “That’s a good point. That’s all part of what I needed to hear going forward.”
Significantly, Quayle, who now lives in the Hunter region, played a key role at the meeting, a possible pointer to him retaining a position.
“He has a wealth of knowledge and he was great to have at the meeting,” Bennett said.
“There are a lot of things that need to be repaired here. I was elated to see him there. He ran the game and he did a great job. I saw that knowledge and love of the game there today.”
Quayle’s involvement shapes as a big move by the NRL. During the formation of the indepen*dent commission, Quayle was touted as one of the inaugural commissioners. In the end, he was overlooked but has retained his love of rugby league, something he stressed when he spoke to The Australian on the eve of yesterday's meeting.
Quayle said the NRL needed to take its time determining the club's structure, a proposition that could jeopardise Bennett's future at the club.
“Wayne is a professional football coach and one of the best we have seen,” Quayle said.
“Again, do you build a club around a coach? These days you can’t because you don’t know how long they are going to want to be part of it.
“The good thing about Wayne is he has got excellent knowledge.
“He was very much involved in the structure of Brisbane. He knows what a professional club has to be.
“Again, you talk about long-term viability but you can’t build it around any one person. The important thing is to get the model right.”
Bennett, seen as vital to the Knights’ success, has interest from elsewhere. St George Illawarra, the club he led to the 2010 title, is yet to appoint a coach for next season.
Bennett also stressed the NRL had indicated its support for Knights chief executive Matt Gidley at the meeting.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/spo...968205751?nk=b7c95675cb7bda2a0ac5efe4a19e6d17
Zorba, Bulldog Richie and the boys at 2ky, say we are no chance of getting Wayne Back.
