Brisbane welcomes new NRL rival

Brisbane CEO Paul White says he has no problem with former Broncos coach Anthony Griffin.

However, he is looking forward to to Griffin’s Penrith Panthers becoming the Broncos’ new NRL arch rival in 2016.

White wished Griffin the best after the Broncos’ 2011-14 mentor was officially unveiled as Panthers coach on Wednesday on a three-year deal.

But that’s where the pleasantries ended.

“The Cowboys have a rich history (as a Brisbane arch foe) but the more rivals we have the better,” White said of the prospect of taking on a Griffin-led Penrith at Suncorp Stadium next year.

“I want to beat him (Griffin) and I will tell him that, Gus (Panthers boss Phil Gould) too.

“He (Griffin) is the opposition now.”

But White said he could not fault how Griffin had carried himself after making way for master coach Wayne Bennett this season.

Key additions Anthony Milford and Adam Blair helped Bennett guide a squad, largely groomed by Griffin, to the 2015 NRL grand final, losing 17-16 to North Queensland in golden point.

White was impressed Griffin had kept his silence since his Broncos axing, saying he provided an ideal example of how mentors should react in the sometimes cut-throat world of NRL coaching.

“It can go two ways when disappointment comes your way,” he said.

“You can go to the media and try and justify why or why not, cast dispersions on the decision – he didn’t do that.

“And you didn’t get boo out of him even on grand final week.

“I think that is a lesson for the future in terms of how to handle yourself, because it (sacking) is an inevitable reality in the game.”

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