Brisbane Broncos coach Wayne Bennett splits from wife Trish

Posted by Arica Deslauriers on Monday, May 20, 2024

A SECRET blonde has stolen the heart of Brisbane Broncos supercoach Wayne Bennett, shattering his 42-year marriage and rocking the sporting world.

The one-time Father of the Year has walked out on wife Trish and their two disabled children to begin a new life with Dale Tynan, a buxom secretary he met during his coaching stint in Newcastle.

Tynan, 50, has since moved to Queensland to be with the 66-year-old Broncos coach.

The Bennett family, including Trish and children Justin, Elizabeth and Katherine, are said to be devastated, and angry.

One family member said yesterday: “Trish can’t believe it, she is very disappointed. But she’s resilient. We are doing everything we can to support her and the kids and that’s all that matters right now.”

Bennett’s son-in-law Ben Ikin, a Fox Sports commentator and former Queensland State of Origin player, has had little to no contact since Bennett broke the heartbreaking news. Ikin’s wife Elizabeth, Bennett’s daughter, was especially upset, friends said.

Bennett quietly moved out of the couple’s lavish $2 million apartment in the Brisbane CBD six weeks ago to begin his new relationship. It has now been put up for rent.

Well-placed sources said Bennett fell in love with Ms Tynan during his three-year tenure in Newcastle.

Ms Tynan was the secretary of Newcastle’s club doctor. She was a popular figure who was well liked by Knights players and employees, with one describing her as “fun” and “a good sort”. It is understood Bennett and Ms Tynan have cemented their relationship by moving in together in a Brisbane suburb. Her adult daughter has listed her place of residence as Brisbane on social media.

Ms Tynan is believed to have accompanied Bennett to the UK during his mid-season trip to coach England.

Bennett left for England after Brisbane’s clash against Canberra on June 9.

On June 13, he met with 31 English squad hopefuls in Leeds. Two days later, Ms Tynan posted a photo of a red telephone booth on Instagram. The location was listed as Kensington Palace, the home of William and Kate, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

EARLIER

BRISBANE Broncos coach Wayne Bennett has dropped a bombshell announcing his 42-year marriage is over, following revelations he’s dating a younger woman.

Bennett released a statement on Saturday confirming he and wife Trish, who have three children, including two with disabilities, have severed ties after a four-decade union.

The super coach informed Broncos players of his shock split at a team meeting just 24 hours before their 26-20 finals loss to the Cowboys on Friday night.

“As an NRL head coach and thereby a public figure I today inform you about a personal matter and the fact I have separated from my wife and the family home some time ago,” Bennett said.

“I will continue to appear publicly in my role at the Brisbane Broncos but at the same time ask that you respect my personal privacy and that of my family.”

The Bennetts were regarded as the nation’s unbreakable couple after their famous Australian Story documentary in 1999 detailed their inspirational journey raising two disabled children.

But their long-lasting union is over, with Bennett moving out of the couple’s $2 million city apartment six weeks ago.

Wife Trish is said to be devastated as extended family, including Bennett’s son-in-law Ben Ikin, help her and the children through the ordeal.

Bennett only told his players about the personal matter after their loss to the Cowboys on Friday night.

Bennett spent long periods away from the family home during his six-year stint living in NSW, first coaching the Dragons and then the Knights before he returned to coach the Broncos at the end of the 2014 NRL season.

While Bennett reportedly lived in a unit in Newcastle, Trish remained in Brisbane providing care for their two disabled children, Katherine and Justin.

Bennett told The Courier-Mail in 2014, he would not have been able to handle his time living away from Brisbane without the support and strength of Trish.

“I couldn’t have done all this without her support,” Bennett said.

“I know that much ... it wouldn’t have happened at all.

“Trish and the family didn’t want to see me staying at home and not being happy and not being challenged. Like myself, they would naturally prefer me to be at home, but they were happy for me to go (to the Dragons and Newcastle) because they knew it’s what I wanted to do.

“If I had to do another three years away, I would have done another three years away.

“Once we made that decision, Trish supported me totally.”

After Bennett’s Broncos were eliminated from the NRL in an epic semi-final by the Cowboys at 1300 Smiles Stadium, the master coach now turns his attention to England’s Four Nations campaign.

Bennett’s England team will begin their Four Nations campaign against New Zealand on October 29 in Huddersfield.

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