Broncos coach Wayne Bennett targeting former Cowboys assistant coach Jason Demetriou
Peter Badel, The Courier-Mail
39 minutes ago
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KEVIN Walters’ hopes of returning to the Broncos appear slim with Wayne Bennett targeting former Cowboys assistant Jason Demetriou to be his right-hand man.
Demetriou is a leading candidate to replace assistant Steve Kearney, who quit the Broncos last month to relaunch his NRL head-coaching career with the Warriors.
Brisbane’s coaching team is set for a fresh look next season with Queensland legend Trevor Gillmeister considering a role as the Broncos’ forwards coach.
Now Demetriou is on Bennett’s radar after an outstanding past three seasons that has flagged the 40-year-old as one of the code’s most promising coaches.
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Queensland Origin coach Walters was hopeful of returning to the Broncos in 2017 after his planned comeback to Red Hill in July was torpedoed by Bennett at the eleventh hour.
Kevin Walters’ return to the Broncos is looking remote.
But with Demetriou high on Brisbane’s coaching hit list, the prospect of Walters reprising his role as Bennett’s assistant seems remote.
Demetriou’s manager Chris Sheppard confirmed the assistant to Dragons coach Paul McGregor has attracted the attention of the Broncos.
“We’ve had expressions of interest from several clubs, including the Broncos,” Sheppard said.
“Jason is a high-quality coach and a coach on the way up.
“There’s a number of clubs who have expressed some interest. He is contracted to the Dragons for next season, so we’re working our way through that.
“Wherever he goes, players love him. They want to play for him and that’s why he is getting results on a consistent basis.”
Demetriou, who failed to play NRL but enjoyed a 12-year career in England, has built an impressive coaching resume.
In 2014, he steered the Northern Pride to the Intrust Super Cup premiership, leading to his promotion to the Cowboys under coach Paul Green.
Jason Demetriou during a Dragons training session.
In his maiden year at the Cowboys, Demetriou and Dave Furner helped Green shatter North Queensland’s 20-year title drought with their grand-final defeat of the Broncos.
Last season, Demetriou had more success, winning the NSW Cup title with Illawarra before steering the Cutters to the NRL State Championship with a 54-12 drubbing of Burleigh.
Demetriou was tight-lipped about Brisbane’s interest but spoke of his desire to eventually take charge of an NRL team.
“I think the Broncos have spoken to my manager, I’m leaving it up to him to sort it out,” he said.
“If you told me I’d be part of the last three grand final days, you would have had to pinch me.
“I’d love to be a head coach one day, that’s the dream and that’s what I’m working hard for.
“I’m still contracted to the Dragons and enjoying it here so we’ll see what happens.”
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