NRL: Darius Boyd thankful for early Bennett-Seibold coach swap
Darius Boyd thinks Wayne Bennett's early exit from Brisbane saved them from a season-long circus.
Boyd will celebrate his 300th NRL game on Thursday, as part of an occasion that will also serve as a tantalising grudge match between coaches Anthony Seibold, Bennett and their former clubs.
The Brisbane captain said the drama would've been far greater had the coaches not swapped a year ahead of schedule last December though, adamant the distraction would've proved too much for his young side.
Originally contracted to trade jobs in 2020, the drawn-out saga came to a head when Bennett was given his marching orders at Red Hill.
Darius Boyd opens up on Bennett exit Nine
Seibold has been under a microscope since his arrival, with a 2-5 record hardly helping.
But Boyd, who had played under Bennett at the Broncos, St George Illawarra and Newcastle, is adamant that it could've been worse.
"I said to Wayne when it was all said and done that I think his best move was to move on," Boyd told reporters on Tuesday.
"The media scrutiny and hype around it ... with a young squad I don't think we would've handled it very well.
Wayne Bennett with the South Sydney Rabbitohs in 2019; During a Broncos team training session in Brisbane in 2018. AAP
"We've had a fair bit of criticism this year, but it's hard enough for the young boys to get out there and do their job let alone having off-field criticism and bit of a mind game as well
"With Wayne being here it would've been a bit of a circus again, as it was a bit last year, and Wayne understood that so it worked out well for both parties."
Boyd can appreciate the romanticism of playing his 300th game against a man he spent so long playing for.
"It's funny how the rugby league world works, in mysterious ways," he said.
"When the schedule came out I definitely had a look ... it's pretty special."
While content to be back at Red Hill, Boyd said following Bennett to the Dragons in 2009 had helped him in a couple of ways.
"To get out of the bubble of Brisbane, away from home and grow as a person," he said.
"And you realise it is a business and you've got to look after yourself and your family.
"I thought I'd play for Brisbane my whole career, as a young kid who didn't understand the ins and outs of league and salary caps."
