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Message: [QUOTE="Foordy, post: 2783977, member: 1769"] [COLOR=#232323][FONT=&amp][B]Jason Demetriou relishing the chance to learn from Wayne Bennett in new Broncos role[/B] [IMG]http://pixel.tcog.cp1.news.com.au/track/component/article/6632900492bd0f5f661ce4dda863719c?esi=true&t_template=s3/chronicle-tg_tlc_storyheader/index&t_product=CourierMail&td_device=desktop[/IMG][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#232323][FONT=&amp][COLOR=#929292]Peter Badel, The Courier-Mail 38 minutes ago Subscriber only [/COLOR] [IMG]http://pixel.tcog.cp1.news.com.au/track/component/article/6632900492bd0f5f661ce4dda863719c?esi=true&t_template=s3/chronicle-tg_tlc_storymeta/index&t_product=CourierMail&td_device=desktop[/IMG][/FONT][/COLOR] [COLOR=#232323][FONT=&amp][FONT=&amp]JASON Demetriou has outlined his ambition to coach the Broncos after being headhunted by Wayne Bennett to mastermind Brisbane’s premiership charge. Demetriou is the hottest coaching talent in the NRL, having won four titles in three seasons across two states — including the Cowboys’ 2015 premiership where he was an assistant to Paul Green. Now he arrives at the Broncos after being identified by Bennett as the right-hand man who can help break the longest title drought in Brisbane’s 29-year history. At age 40, Demetriou is relatively young in coaching terms and is relishing the apprenticeship he must first serve under rugby league’s greatest coach. But Bennett is clearly planning for the future. The master mentor will be 69 when he comes off-contract in 2019 and many believe it is only a matter of time before Demetriou becomes a head coach in the NRL. [CENTER][LEFT][CENTER][I][B][IMG]http://resources.news.com.au/files/2014/03/18/1226857/940050-left.gif[/IMG]It’s one of the biggest sporting brands in Australia and it would be a dream come true to coach them. If Wayne’s time is up and he says I’m ready, I’d love to step up[IMG]http://resources.news.com.au/files/2014/03/18/1226857/940141-right.gif[/IMG][/B][/I][/CENTER] [/LEFT] [/CENTER] [I][B]Demetriou doesn’t wish for Bennett to retire any time soon, but hopes Brisbane’s succession plan one day catapults him into the Broncos’ top job.[/B][/I] [I][B]“I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want to coach the Broncos,” Demetriou said in his first interview since quitting the Dragons on Thursday.[/B][/I] [I][B]“I never expected a phone call from Wayne. I’ve been working hard for years just trying to get a foot in the door somewhere.[/B][/I] [I][B]“I see this as a huge step forward and hopefully it’s a club where I stay for quite a while.[/B][/I] [I][B]“I have to put my best foot forward so if the opportunity to coach the Broncos arrives one day, I’m the guy who can move the club forward.[/B][/I] [I][B][IMG]http://cdn.newsapi.com.au/image/v1/d589d5ca11b67182d01b45e7b3af3c48?width=650[/IMG] Jason Demetriou has joined the Broncos from the Dragons[/B][/I][I][B]“There’s no better bloke to learn from than Wayne Bennett.[/B][/I] [I][B]“When I signed, I asked him how long he has left on his contract. I wasn’t asking Wayne because I wanted him to leave, I was hoping he would be around for another three years so I can learn as much as I can.[/B][/I] [I][B]“It’s one of the biggest sporting brands in Australia and it would be a dream come true to coach them. If Wayne’s time is up and he says I’m ready, I’d love to step up.[/B][/I] [I][B]“But right now, I’m focusing on being the best assistant possible and soaking up as much knowledge as I can.”[/B][/I] [I][B]Demetriou has inherited the work ethic that can be traced to his Greek father, Con, and Cyprian grandfather. He grew up in Dragons territory in Sydney’s Hurstville and Kingsgrove regions, but his dream of wearing the Red V in the NRL eluded him due to his then lack of size.[/B][/I] [I][B]Craving a fresh start, he headed to England and had a successful 12-year playing career in the old dart. He captained Wakefield for five seasons and was named in their Dream Team. All the while, he had a natural feel for leadership ... and coaching.[/B][/I] [CENTER][LEFT][CENTER][I][B][I][B][IMG]http://resources.news.com.au/files/2014/03/18/1226857/940050-left.gif[/IMG]I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want to coach the Broncos. I see this as a huge step forward and hopefully it’s a club where I stay for quite a while.[IMG]http://resources.news.com.au/files/2014/03/18/1226857/940141-right.gif[/IMG][/B][/I][/B][/I][/CENTER] [/LEFT] [/CENTER] [I][B][I][B]“I was a little halfback growing up the size of ‘Alfie’ Langer and I got left behind a bit,” he says. “From a career point of view I was pretty satisfied with what I achieved in England.[/B][/I][/B][/I] [I][B][I][B]“I’ve tended to enjoy a leadership role in teams and I honestly think coaching chooses you, rather than you choosing coaching.[/B][/I][/B][/I] [I][B][I][B]“It’s just something I’ve been comfortable with. A lot of players try to go down that route, but it’s hard to do if it’s not something you truly enjoy.”[/B][/I][/B][/I] [I][B][I][B]Demetriou, who jokes he is no relation to the former AFL boss who shares his surname — “please don’t call me Andrew” — certainly has the Midas Touch.[/B][/I][/B][/I] [I][B][I][B]In 2014, he steered the Northern Pride to the Intrust Super Cup premiership, leading to his promotion to the Cowboys under coach Green.[/B][/I][/B][/I] [I][B][I][B][IMG]http://cdn.newsapi.com.au/image/v1/c8d2ac935384fc89cd0bfeec066ec274?width=650[/IMG] Demetrious insists he is in no hurry to see Wayne Bennett walk away from the Broncos.[/B][/I][/B][/I][I][B][I][B]In his maiden year at the Cowboys, Demetriou and Dave Furner helped Green shatter North Queensland’s 20-year title drought with their grand-final defeat of the Broncos.[/B][/I][/B][/I] [I][B][I][B]Last season, Demetriou had more success, winning the NSW Cup title with Illawarra before steering the Cutters to the NRL State Championship with a 54-12 drubbing of Burleigh.[/B][/I][/B][/I] [I][B][I][B]“I never set out to win trophies, it’s about getting the players to be the best they can and do things they didn’t think they can do,” he says.[/B][/I][/B][/I] [I][B][I][B]“I think my strength is my ability to get to understand the player and what makes them tick.[/B][/I][/B][/I] [I][B][I][B]“I’m a big believer that games are won and lost before players go on the field and that’s something that my players have responded to in the past.[/B][/I][/B][/I] [I][B][I][B]“When he called, Wayne spoke to me about my journey and the type of person I was. That gave me a lot of confidence as a coach. It gave me a good feel for the Broncos as a club and I hope I can bring something to help the club be successful next year.”[/B][/I][/B][/I] [/FONT] [/FONT][/COLOR]http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/nrl/teams/broncos/jason-demetriou-relishing-the-chance-to-learn-from-wayne-bennett-in-new-broncos-role/news-story/6632900492bd0f5f661ce4dda863719c [/QUOTE]

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