THE odds of Brisbane’s Wayne Bennett coaching North Queensland in 2009 could firm again after the Cowboys told Graham Murray yesterday they would not be renewing his contract at the end of the season.
It is understood North Queensland chief executive Peter Parr informed Murray of his fate yesterday, following a meeting by the football club board on Tuesday night.
Murray’s future in Townsville has been the subject of speculation even before Bennett announced he would end a 20-year relationship with the Broncos at the end of the season.
While Bennett has been linked to several clubs, including the Bulldogs, St George-Illawarra and even a possible move to England, the chances of the 58-year-old ending up at North Queensland sparked a massive betting plunge last week.
Murray’s assistant, Ian Millward, is also held in high regard in Townsville and would come into contention.
Murray was recruited to take charge of North Queensland in 2002 and he helped turn the perennial also-rans of the competition into a genuine premiership force.
The Cowboys made the finals for the first time in 2004 and reached the grand final the following season before losing to Wests Tigers.
While they just missed out on the finals in 2006, they overcame a crippling injury toll last year to storm into contention before dipping out in the grand final qualifier to the eventual runner-up Manly.
There was speculation last night the Cowboys were poised to renew Murray’s contract but backed off over concerns he had lost the support of the players.
The former NSW coach had to patch things up with Matt Bowen in 2004 after making a racist comment about the star indigenous fullback.
Murray was unavailable for comment last night but will be on the lookout for a new home in 2009 along with the Bulldogs’ Steve Folkes and the Dragons’ Nathan Brown, who are also coming off contract and under pressure this season.
England could also loom as an option – Murray having coached Leeds from 1997-99 – as St Helens coach Daniel Anderson is keen to return to Australia and has already been linked with the Broncos.
Source: Bennett firms for Cowboys’ post
