Brisbane supercoach Wayne Bennett has shown how serious he is about coaching into his seventies after tabling a proposal to stay on at the NRL club beyond next season.
With Broncos target Craig Bellamy expected to confirm a contract extension with Melbourne on Sunday, Bennett has wasted no time making his case to be their second choice.
“So I put a proposal to our chief executive. It’s up to him now to take it to the board. We’ll just wait and see what happens,” Bennett said after his team’s four-point win over Cronulla on Saturday.
“I put a proposal to Paul and talked about some things.”
Despite having a contract until the end of next year, Bennett’s future has been under a cloud after the club publicly declared their interest in luring Bellamy from the 2020 season onwards.
The 68-year-old has already been linked with a move to Parramatta.
However, despite both parties denying any talks have taken place on a potential relationships, Bennett is adamant the speculation won’t subside unless the Broncos decide on their long-term coach.
A contract extension would mean the former Queensland and Kangaroos coach would be holding the clipboard past 70 years of age.
Asked whether Bellamy’s decision was a relief for him, Bennett said: “Not really, no. We have to make sure at the club that everyone knows what’s going on. When that’s done, then that’ll be the relief.”
Bennett’s comments come after his team overcame a second-half comeback from the Sharks and claimed a 20-16 victory at Southern Cross Group Stadium.
Winger Corey Oates proved the hero after breaking a 16-all deadlock with a spectacular one-handed putdown while facing backwards in the 70th minute.
Bennett was left amazed by Oates’ finish.
“For a guy his size, he’s certainly very athletic. Really good wingers, they just know how to find the tryline, and he’s got that quality about him. He knows where the tryline is,” Bennett said.
“He knew he scored it as soon as he got there and he wasn’t second-guessing himself. Something went through his brain, which is unusual.”