Bennett, Gallen, Farah

Broncos chief executive Bruno Cullen tonight confirmed Wayne Bennett would stay on as head coach until the end of the 2009 NRL season, scotching rumours that the long-time Brisbane mentor was heading for NRL rivals the Sydney Roosters.

Speculation had been rife that Bennett would leave the club he's coached since its 1988 inception and replace dumped Roosters coach Ricky Stuart next season. Bennett earlier said it "didn't suit" him to put the rumours to bed and Cullen had claimed he would not ask the Broncos coach out of respect for their friendship.

But Cullen said he finally sat down and spoke with Bennett in a bid to put the focus on the Broncos' must-win finals clash against Newcastle at Aussie Stadium on Saturday night.

Meanwhile, Cronulla lock Paul Gallen looms as a likely replacement for departing Manly captain Ben Kennedy if he can negotiate a release from the club.

Gallen has confirmed rumours he was unhappy at the Sharks and wants a release from the final year of his contract to join a premiership contender next season. Sea Eagles chief executive Grant Mayer has revealed the Sea Eagles would be interested in holding talks with the NSW backrower if the Sharks agreed to cut him loose.

The Brookvale-based club is desperate to add some depth and experience to its backrow following the retirement of 194-game veteran Kennedy at the end of this year's finals campaign.

Elsewhere, despite having a year to run on his current contract, a second NRL club has attempted to poach Wests Tigers superstar Robbie Farah for 2007 and beyond.

The post anti-tampering era is yet to be officially rubber-stamped by the NRL, but already two clubs have sounded out Farah's management about signing up the promising hooker 12 months in advance.

However, the 22-year-old's agent, Sam Ayoub, says he generally didn't want his clients committing too far ahead.