Broncos to target stars before coach
By Stuart Honeysett
February 07, 2008 BRISBANE will attempt to re-sign more than $1 million worth of talent this season, including representative forward Sam Thaiday, before making a decision on a replacement for Wayne Bennett.
Broncos chief executive Bruno Cullen confirmed the battle facing the club in 2008 as the dust continued to settle on Bennett's move to stand down as coach at the end of the year.
Thaiday tops a list of Brisbane players off contract this year that includes Corey Parker, Joel Moon, David Stagg, Steve Michaels, Michael Ennis, Ben Hannant, Darius Boyd and Rodney Davies.
Complicating the issue is the fact Brisbane want to make a play for Melbourne's Israel Folau - who could attract anything up to $350,000 a season on the open market.
While most players like to know who they will be playing under before signing, Cullen is confident the club has the right structures in place to keep its roster intact.
"It is an issue - but it will come down to the individual about how big an issue it is," Cullen said yesterday.
"They know the structure and, this is showing no disrespect to Wayne, but we've got a very good set-up here and a very good structure.
"That will stay in place, so we know our sports scientists and weights coach and fitness coaches are going to be here.
"It will come down to the individual and do I really need to know 100 per cent who's going to be the coach or I'm happy with the set-up and it doesn't matter."
It is believed the process to find a new coach could take Brisbane as long as the NRL's registration cut-off date at the end of round 13. This is the last chance the Broncos would have to make a counter offer if one of their players had been targeted by a rival club.
"You want to be negotiating, you want to be tying up as many as you could through March-April-May," Cullen said. "It's going to take a few months and we're already in February so there goes March and April.
"We're going to have to talk to the players about the processes we're following and where we're at and just hope we're at a stage where they're happy to stay."
There have been plenty of names already linked with the Brisbane job including Warriors' Ivan Cleary, Melbourne's Craig Bellamy, Canberra's Neil Henry, St Helens' Daniel Anderson, Bennett's assistant Ivan Henjak and former Broncos halves Kevin Walters and Allan Langer.
Cullen confirmed he has received interest from several parties but would consult with the club's senior players, football staff and directors before deciding on the best approach.
"I've got emails and phone calls already from various people," Cullen said.
"I'd imagine from those that have shown interest it's going to be a long list and that will lead to a process of elimination and interviews and that will include the board.
"We're going to have to see who's available now, who's on contract and when they're off contract and what we really want to do next year."
It remains to be seen what impact Bennett's departure will have on the Broncos' plans to lure Folau to Brisbane.
The 18-year-old Storm winger is off contract and there is speculation he will leave the premiers at the end of the season.
It is believed Storm have already tabled an offer of $320,000 a year but Folau remains committed to return home to his family in Brisbane.
While several Sydney clubs, including the Bulldogs and the Roosters are in the race to sign him, it is believed the Broncos or the Gold Coast will be his home in 2009.
