Brisbane have signed rookie head coach Anthony Griffin for another two NRL seasons after being knocked back by super coach Wayne Bennett.
It had widely been speculated that Bennett would return to the club he guided to six premierships in 21 seasons after he announced recently he'd leave premiers St
George Illawarra at the end of this season.
But Broncos chief executive Paul White revealed on Friday negotiations with Bennett ended on Thursday night when the veteran coach said Brisbane was no longer an option.
The news means Newcastle and South Sydney remain the leading contenders to secure Bennett's services.
But White had no hesitation in announcing that Griffin was the perfect man to take the high-profile club forward.
The Broncos' board had on Wednesday endorsed Griffin's role at the club and have decided to keep him in the head coaching post if Bennett decided to look elsewhere.
Griffin has the Broncos on the top af the NRL ladder after four rounds.
"Anthony has served a long and distinguished apprenticeship in both the NRL and the Queensland Cup and has also made a strong impression in guiding the Broncos to a good start this season," said White.
"He has impressed greatly with his man-management skills, his strategic thinking and his technical capabilities; he is a coach that players want to play for.
"We have an outstanding young roster and Anthony has had much to do with their development over the years."
White also said Bennett had endorsed the direction of the Broncos and the appointment of Griffin, who he had first brought to the club from Redcliffe.
- AAP
