Legendary coach Wayne Bennett has flagged his interest in joining Brisbane’s second NRL franchise with the decision expected this week rubber stamp Redcliffe’s entry into the competition from 2023.
While Bennett said he’s happy to talk to whatever team gets the nod, it appears almost certain that it’ll be the Dolphins and that the 72-year-old will lead them in their first season in the competition.
With that in mind, SEN host Andrew Voss asked The Daily Telegraph’s Michael Carayannis what Bennett would be worth from a financial standpoint to the chosen club.
“He’d be worth probably around that $800,000 mark I’d suggest, nudging towards $1 million,” Carayannis replied on SEN 1170 Breakfast.
“It’s the perfect fit for both parties, Wayne wants to go back to Queensland and when you go back to Queensland there’s only a couple of jobs.
“The Titans job isn’t opening up any time soon with Justin Holbrook there, he’s not returning to Brisbane and the Cowboys are a bit shaky, would he try to go there?
“Remember he’s got some history at the Cowboys considering he wanted to go there and the person he was speaking to said, ‘I need to go to the board’, to which Wayne said, ‘Thanks, but no thanks’, that was a few years ago.
“It makes sense that the Dolphins would look at Wayne and that Wayne would look at the Dolphins.
“He can set up the club, that’s something he hasn’t done in a while, he played a large part in setting up the Broncos so he knows what it takes.
“I think it’s a great deal for both parties.
“He’ll get announced as the new coach in the next couple of weeks.”
Voss himself is certain that Bennett will command a seven-figure a year deal.
“I don’t think he’s getting anything less than $1 million, Wayne Bennett,” Voss said.
“I think there’s going to be seven-figures on the annual salary of Wayne Bennett for the new club.
“It’s a bit like the (GWS) Giants with Kevin Sheedy, they need the name at the head of the club for the next 12 months so straight away people are excited.
“They’ve got credibility, people are excited because Wayne Bennett will be there.”
The NRL is set to announce the winning bid for the 17th franchise sometime this week.