Wayne Bennett's well-planned departure from the Brisbane Broncos has created mixed emotions. Like the man himself, who attracts fierce loyalty from close friends or dismissive contempt from those he gets offside, Bennett's decision has created plenty of reaction.

Bennett spoke with the players early yesterday morning. Forward Dave Taylor, who recently extended his contract until the end of 2009 believing Bennett would be the coach, said: "I'd be happier if he was staying at the club."

But there was a lack of reaction from other players. No one wanted to talk about it. Karmichael Hunt's reaction was a simple: "Wayne told us this morning."

Captain Darren Lockyer didn't want to comment. But former Broncos who are now distanced from Bennett were more forthcoming. Former prop Shane Webcke said Bennett's exit was typical of his style.

"I think it's typical Wayne Bennett. He'll do it his way. There's been little things cropping up in the media and he probably felt maybe that speculation had the potential to do damage. I think moving on in his own terms is right but I think his true motivation is that he didn't want to do the place any damage, and leave it cleanly with no speculation over his future - it's a really positive move."

Another former Bronco, Ben Ikin, said Bennett would want to be remembered for the person he is rather than as a coach.

"He's a man of amazing character," said Ikin, Bennett's son-in-law. "It's been on the back of that character, those values and morals that he has been so disciplined over the 20 years he's been at the club.

"He's been the backbone of all the success we've had. It's why the players played for him and why the board has always supported him. He will be remembered as the guy who built an organisation from the ground up."

NRL board member and former Bronco Gorden Tallis said Bennett's main attribute was his concern for a player's character. "He tries to improve you as man more than anything, the football becomes second nature," he said. "Off the field, he really tries to help the kids. He's the best coach the Broncos have had, because he's the only one they've had. Not too many blokes would have a bad word to say about him."

Tallis, who left the club on uneasy terms with Bennett, said Bennett had made the right decision. "I think it is great that he's got it out in the open, it's time to move on," he said.

Kevin Walters, who steered the Broncos to their 2000 premiership, said he hoped Bennett remained in the code. "The longer that Wayne Bennett's involved in rugby league in this country, the better the game will be," he said.

Walters, who with Gary Belcher and Glenn Lazarus was part of Bennett's staff purge at the end of the 2005 season, added: "His biggest strength is his ability to draw the best out of his players. We saw that time and time again at the Broncos, where he got success from his players and that is very hard to do as a coach."

Former Broncos centre Steve Renouf said he wasn't surprised at Bennett's announcement but felt sad that after 21 years there would be a change of coach. Renouf, a devastating attacking centre whom Bennett transformed from a defensive liability into a strong defender, said he had the utmost respect for Bennett.

"We [players] hung on every word he said to us," he said.

Halfback Allan Langer said: "Wayne was not just a great coach and mentor on and off the field, most of all he's a great mate."

With AAP