Brisbane great Willie Carne has questioned Darius Boyd’s Broncos return, suggesting the troubled fullback may benefit from finally breaking ties with long-time mentor Wayne Bennett.
Boyd has reportedly agreed to a three-year deal worth $1.2 million with Brisbane, continuing his association with Bennett.
But Carne hinted Boyd may gain from seeking a change as he looks to bounce back from a difficult year.
“He’s been under Wayne’s watch for quite a while,” two-time Broncos premiership winner Carne told AAP.
“He may need to be under someone else’s watch.
“But in saying that you can only lead a horse to water.”
Boyd, 27, has only played under Bennett at NRL level.
He debuted as an 18-year-old under Bennett at Brisbane in 2006 and followed the master mentor to St George Illawarra, where Boyd won a premiership and the Clive Churchill Medal in 2010, and later Newcastle.
Boyd – a 20-time Origin player for Queensland – spent the last two months of the NRL season on sabbatical after checking into a mental health facility seeking treatment for depression.
“He’s a major talent,” Carne said.
“Hopefully Darius comes up here with a new lease on life.”
Boyd has been heavily linked with a move away from Newcastle since Bennett formally announced his decision mid-year to return to the Broncos, who he coached from 1988 to 2008 and won six titles.
Bennett confirmed Boyd’s signing in an interview with News Corp on Tuesday.
Boyd is expected to take over the No.1 jersey with fellow new recruit Anthony Milford stepping into the five-eighth role where he will partner Test half Ben Hunt.
“Darius Boyd will be with us, he’s going to be our fullback,” Bennett told News Corp.
“There’s been a lot of speculation but the deal will be done in the next few days and I can move forward now.”
Salary cap space was cleared for Boyd after a player exodus upon Bennett’s arrival with the likes of Josh Hoffman (Titans), Martin Kennedy (Roosters), Ben Hannant (Cowboys) and David Hala (Titans) moved on.
And Ben Barba is set to sign with Cronulla after Bennett could not guarantee the former Dally M Medallist a start in 2015.
“Ben Barba and Josh Hoffman in particular are two major talents – it’s a shame we had to lose them,” Carne said.
“I guess you can’t have all the stars – but’s that’s up to Wayne.”
Brisbane could also unveil a new forward to fill the void created by Kennedy and Hannant’s departure with St George Illawarra’s Trent Merrin linked with a move to Red Hill.
Carne believed Bennett’s return would usher in a new Broncos era, with assistant Kevin Walters set to take the reins in the long term.
“This is Wayne winding down to retirement,” Carne said.
“Kevin Walters is there and being groomed as his replacement – he’s doing his apprenticeship now.”