Master coach Wayne Bennett has held secret discussions with the Brisbane Jets, the consortium hoping to be the NRL's 17th team.
The newly-formed merger is keen on bringing the legendary mentor back to Brisbane and representatives have made formal contact with the Souths coach, according to the Courier Mail.
"I have reached out to Wayne … we've had talks," Jets consortium figurehead Steve Johnson said.
"Wayne is still keen to coach on so, yes, we would look at him as our head coach for 2023.
"He has to talk to South Sydney about his future plans. They are keen for him to stay on in another role (after this season), but we're hoping Wayne has a desire in coming back to Queensland."
The 71-year-old is currently in the final year of his three-year deal at Souths but it's understood the club won't let the league great walk away without trying to extend his time at the club.
Bennett has always kept his options open, although the lure of going back to where it all began might be tempting. He started his coaching career in Ipswich and was born and raised in the western corridor, the area the Jets will based if given the chance to be part of the NRL.
While the NRL is yet to decide who will gain the 17th licence it will seek tenders in April. Bennett has previously stated he is open to all offers from next year.
"I'm contracted to Souths for this year and then after that I'm a free agent," he told The Daily Telegraph. "I've got nowhere to go (in 2022). I haven't done any deals with anyone. I haven't agreed to anything.
"There's a number of strong applicants bidding to become Brisbane's second team and they will need a coach, so I won't rule anything out."
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from WWOS https://wwos.nine.com.au/nrl/nrl-news-brisbane-jets-confirm-wayne-bennett-talks/7abf6338-e978-422b-8cf3-1ff59dae7730
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