NRL Podcast: Why the Broncos need to re-sign Wayne Bennett

Jamie Soward has urged the Brisbane Broncos to re-sign Wayne Bennett in a bid to avoid an ugly, public spat with the man who has delivered the club six premierships.

Soward knows what it's like to play under Bennett's watchful eye.

The former five-eighth won a premiership when the "supercoach" steered the St George Illawarra Dragons to grand final glory in 2010.

"Wayne Bennett is the greatest coach of all-time," Soward told the NRL Podcast.

"He deserves to go out on his terms. You can't just tell him not to coach when he's still delivering."

Bennett has publicly called on the club's hierarchy to provide clarity on his future as his beyond 2019.

Bennett said as far as he's concerned it "remains to be seen" if he'll be offered an extension.

Soward thinks Bennett has done enough this year to prove he isn't past it.

"He's been able to get performances out of young guys," Soward said.

"[The Broncos] look like they'll make the [top] eight this year and I didn't have them in my eight [at the start of 2018].

"He'll coach next year and ... if he finishes in the eight again, then they'll go around [with Bennett as coach] until they find a suitable replacement.

"He should have a say in who he wants to take over the legacy."

On this week's edition of the NRL Podcast, Soward also discussed whether the Penrith Panthers can still win this year's premiership, if the North Queensland Cowboys will return to form in 2019, who will be unveiled as the game's next Immortals and predicts who will take out the key awards at this year's Dally M awards night.