Darren Lockyer moves to purchase London Broncos, identifies Demetriou as coach

1 week ago 4

Brisbane Broncos legend Darren Lockyer will fly out to England on Thursday night as he and a consortium explore an opportunity to purchase a stake in the London Broncos, a potential Super League franchise.

Lockyer, with long-standing business partner Grant Wechsel, are in negotiations with the second tier English side about a controlling interest in the team, which is expected to earn promotion to the top-tier Super League next season.

Lockyer and Wechsel will land in London in time to watch the Broncos’ final home game of the Championship regular season against the Bradford Bulls at Wimbledon this weekend.

“I’m happy to confirm we’re looking at it,” Wechsel, who is in partnership with Lockyer on several mining-related and investment businesses, said.

“Darren and I have been in business since he retired in 2011, and we identified this as a good opportunity. We think the Super League has a lot of potential. We’re also excited about the NRL looking into it. We think that London is missing from the game. Super League needs London. The international game needs London.

“That’s the appeal of it, being part of the success of a league, team and city that has a lot of potential. We will attend the final game of the current season and hopefully there’s an opportunity after that to see what the future could look like.”

Rugby league great Darren Lockyer is chaired off the field following his final Origin game.

The consortium has started looking at potential appointments, with former South Sydney boss Jason Demetriou identified as a head coaching target if the purchase goes through.

Demetriou, who worked as an assistant under Wayne Bennett, is also the frontrunner for the Papua New Guinea expansion team head coaching job, given he is the current national men’s team coach.

“In parallel to the opportunity and potential Super League re-entry, we of course begin to put our minds to what the future of the club will look like, including key appointments,” Wechsel said.

“I think Jason would be a good target. He’s got NRL experience and he has also played and coached in the Super League.

“We’ve made no offer to him or any other coach, but we’re looking at who can be a good fit if we do go ahead with this.”

Current owner Gary Hetherington, former long-standing CEO of the highly successful Leeds Rhinos, recently purchased the London Broncos from David Hughes, who had owned the club for 28 years.

As part of any deal, Hetherington would remain as part owner and a board member of the club given his standing in the game and success in the Super League.

“I think that London has to be successful,” Wechsel said.

“If we get involved, we have a strong proposal for why London is pivotal to the growth of the game from an audience, participation and broadcast point of view. We will take some of the expertise and experience we have in Australia and help make London a winner.

“The fact is Darren’s name will forever be linked with the Broncos. It’s a nice coincidence. He’s one of the greatest ever Broncos and, hopefully, he can add a new chapter to his Broncos legacy.”