NRL: White wants Broncos back at top

Broncos coach Ivan Henjak. Photo / Getty Images

New Brisbane Broncos boss Paul White wants to embrace the spotlight of leading one of Australia's highest-profile league clubs but will start with simple expectations of a 2011 return to NRL finals action.

White, who began his tenure as chief executive this week, restated support for under-pressure coach Ivan Henjak after the NRL's most supported club missed the finals for the first time in 19 seasons.

But the former Mt Isa police boss and coal executive indicated a play-off finish was an important gauge of success for a team with a "wonderful young playing roster".

"People talk about top-eight finishes and I think that's a realistic expectation," White said. "You can't win a premiership or make a grand final without making the top eight, and I think that would be the expectation I know of Ivan and his staff.

"I will fall in behind that."

White is just the fourth man to be in charge of the Broncos after John Ribot, Shane Edwards and Bruno Cullen.

A former Brisbane Souths centre and Queensland Country player, White said he was excited by the challenge and would embrace the spotlight.

He backed Henjak and side-stepped talk of possible succession plans involving skipper Darren Lockyer.

"I said I'd give Ivan my full leadership and support and what that means is I don't make comments on Ivan."

The Broncos are involved in a four-day pre-season training camp in the Sunshine Coast hinterland.

- AAP