The quality of candidates for Wayne Bennett's job have ensured the Broncos won't have to approach departing Cowboys coach Graham Murray, Brisbane boss Bruno Cullen says.

But the Broncos have not ruled the North Queensland mentor out of contention.

The Cowboys have confirmed they would not renew Murray's contract at the end of the season and were looking for a new coach for 2009.

Bennett announced last week that he would leave the Broncos at the end of the 2008 season - his 21st with the club.

Inevitably, the rumour mill has linked Bennett to the Cowboys and Murray with the Broncos for 2009.

But Cullen said the Broncos were not set to approach anyone over Bennett's job after being inundated with high profile applications.

He said if Murray was interested in the Broncos he would have to throw his hat in the ring like everybody else.

"It doesn't look like we will be approaching anyone. People who have expressed interest have got it pretty well covered," he told AAP.

Cullen said he hoped to have Bennett's replacement finalised in six weeks, not in three months as originally thought.

"It (Cowboys news) doesn't change too much about what we are doing," he said.

"We have just started the process of looking at what is out there and what isn't, trying to assess exactly which way we are going to go.

"I'm not going to say Graham Murray is in the mix or not in the mix.

"All I'm saying is that it won't change our process of identifying candidates, making a short list and then a replacement for Wayne Bennett."

Cullen said the process of replacing Bennett began in earnest on Wednesday.

Apart from sorting through a pile of high profile applications, Broncos staff were also addressed about how the club would approach life after their foundation coach.

Cullen said he would address players once a short list of candidates had been whittled down.

But he refuted recent media reports that a decision on Bennett's replacement would hinge on skipper Darren Lockyer's approval.

"The report saying we won't appoint a coach without Locky's approval - there's a fair bit of licence in that statement," he said.

"But we will discuss candidates with players and take their considerations on board.

"Conversely we are not going to name someone that everybody doesn't want."

Coaches with NRL and English Super League experience have already applied for the Broncos job.

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