Newcastle Knights coach Wayne Bennett issues instructions at training. Picture: Waide Maguire. Source: The Daily Telegraph
WAYNE Bennett says he is convinced owner Nathan Tinkler is committed to the Knights despite Tinkler's $250 million Patinack Farm horseracing operation being on the market.
The latest financial setback for Tinkler raised fresh concerns the Knights could also be sold as part of the mining magnate's road to financial recovery.
Bennett's tenure at the Knights was under the microscope again last week when the Broncos' only premiership-winning coach was linked with a return to Red Hill to replace Anthony Griffin next season.
Much of the speculation surrounding Bennett's future has stemmed from Tinkler's financial struggles and the potential ramifications should he fail to honour contracts with the coach and other Knights employees.
But Bennett last night said Tinkler's offloading of Patinack Farm would not result in Tinkler, or himself, walking away from the Knights.
"It's got no impact on us whatsoever, it has nothing to do with us," Bennett said.
"It's one part of his business. It's like him selling a coal mine. Why should that impact on the Knights?
"Nathan is a very good communicator and I obviously know what is going on.
"It won't affect me or the Knights."
The future of the Knights first surfaced last year when Tinkler's empire hit rough waters after a sharp drop in coal prices.
The coal entrepreneur initially provided a $20 million bank guarantee in the event he abandoned the Knights, although on January 1 that figure, which would be payable to a Knights members' group with which to run the NRL club, was reduced to $10.3 million.
Tinkler said the sale of Patinack Farm would allow him to focus on his "core operations, spanning resources, port and rail infrastructure and property".
There was no mention of the Knights.
It appears Bennett, who is contracted to Newcastle until the end of 2015, will honour his Knights deal, regardless of the rumours of a return to Red Hill.
"I don't want to comment on the Broncos," Bennett said.
"There is a (Knights) bank guarantee in place. The licence he has is for the next 10 years, and that bank guarantee ($10.3m) remains in place.
"If Nathan did walk away, and I'm not saying he is, we would have $10 million to start again, so we're not doing too badly."
Bennett, 63, recently told News Limited Tinkler did not meddle in his coaching and he had no plans to retire.
"I have no idea how long I will go, but right now I want to coach," he said.
"Maybe next year I will wake up and not want to coach so I don't worry about it."
Football Federation Australia is not concerned about the future of the Tinkler-owned Newcastle Jets despite the collapse of Patinack Farm.
The Jets, who failed last week to make the A-League finals, are in Tinkler's Hunter Sports Group stable, which is run separately to his horse-racing interests.
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