I was working at our Brisbane office in Queensland on Friday and Saturday last week and took advantage of the fact that the Brisbane Broncos (my favourite rugby league team) were playing at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane. I went to the match and was devastated by the awful result – Brisbane were thrashed 44 to 12 in what was the worst performance I have ever seen by the team.
South Sydney completely outplayed the Broncos in what was a very sad night for Brisbane fans. The Broncos’ defence was terrible and their attack lacked purpose and was totally ineffective. Now I’m a diehard Brisbane supporter but I cannot see how they can win the 2009 season – in fact I can’t see how they can win another game this year.
Like all supporters I have had thoughts of “the coach”. Now I know that the coach is only one piece of the puzzle and Ivan Henjak is in his first season as head coach after Wayne Bennett ended 21 years at the helm. I guess he was always going to have a hard time in 2009 following in Bennett’s footsteps – the most successful coach in the competition with 6 premierships with the Broncos.
Ivan Henjak is a deserved Brisbane coach. He coached the Broncos Reserve Grade team from 1994 and was assistant coach to Wayne Bennett in the top grade before taking over as head coach. I can’t help but think however that Henjak has been put into the position as Brisbane waits for its first pick coach to become available.
Melbourne Storm coach Craig Bellamy is off contract at the end of 2009 and it’s highly likely that Brisbane will want him to return to the club. Bellamy was assistant coach to Wayne Bennett before leaving the club to become head coach of Melbourne – it was at that time that Henjak was promoted to fill the vacated assistant coach position. I love the Broncos and I can’t wait to see them play well again.
Michael Marquette