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http://www.foxsports.com.au/league/...ns-with-for-2012/story-fn2mcuj6-1226032764014St George Illawarra fullback Darius Boyd is resigned to leaving the Dragons at the end of the year as he looks to continue playing his NRL career under coach Wayne Bennett.
Halfway through Bennett's press conference last week, the line of questioning switched to Darius Boyd.
Asked about Boyd's future at St George Illawarra, Bennett replied: "That's Darius's decision. You'll have to ask him."
In his only interview since Bennett's announcement, Boyd said he had already come to terms that he would also be leaving the Dragons. He doesn't want to play under any other coach.
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"I want to do what he wants to do, wherever he goes, I want to keep playing under him," Boyd said.
The dream scenario for Boyd is for Bennett to choose Brisbane Broncos and take him as well.
"I would love to eventually get home," Boyd said.
If the cards fall his way, Boyd is reluctant to fill the five-eighth boots of Darren Lockyer at the Broncos, but he also refused to rule it out completely.
"I played (five-eighth) in the Charity Shield," Boyd said. "I really enjoyed it. I've really enjoyed my time at fullback and I really think it's my best position.
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Do you agree with Darius Boyd's position of wanting to be a one-coach player? Post your thoughts at the bottom of the page.
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"While I've had fun at five-eighth, it's a pretty big role. I wouldn't really want to be playing it, especially after the best player in the world has played that position. I'd never say no if all the cards went that way, (but) I do like fullback."
Bennett and Boyd have spoken several times about the star fullback wanting to follow the coach should he leave. It's a well-known fact that Bennett represents more than just a coach to Boyd. He is the only father-figure in his life.
Boyd has never known his dad.
"I did not meet my dad," he says. His mother guided him through life until he was 15, when things became unsettled for her.
"I had a pretty normal childhood," Boyd says.
"I was always with my mum. She was great for me in those years, she did a really good job.
"But my mum, I don't want to talk about it too much, she just, she became mentally unwell."
This forced Boyd to live with some family friends in Year 11. In Year 12, his grandmother, Delphine, took him to the Gold Coast.
"She's been there the last eight or so years, she's been my No 1 support. It's hard for her, she's by herself."
He travels back and sees her whenever he can. "She is my only family member ... I couldn't expect other people to look after me."
But the bond between Bennett and Boyd has become stronger since they moved to Wollongong.
Boyd recalls a training sessions towards the end of 2009 when life was becoming difficult for him.
Bennett could see it. He pulled him aside after training and asked: "Are you OK? Do you need to talk?"
Boyd broke down.
"Straight away I became upset," Boyd says. "He just knew I wasn't my usual self. He just knew I wasn't on. To be able to pick that.
"To be able to talk to someone I thought was pretty awesome."
If Bennett goes to Souths, who will make way for Boyd? Sutton or Wesser?
