"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 on Saturday morning.

"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."

In an interview with the Illawarra Mercury in 2008, Bennett described the great relationship he has with his children. He has often written about his family in his books as a means of helping others in the same situation. He also appeared on Australian Story in 2001 where he opened up about his family.

Two of Bennett's three adult children have disabilities. His son Justin suffered brain damage from several intense seizures as a baby and daughter Katherine has arthrogryposis, a disorder that causes joint deformity and has her confined to a wheelchair.

He famously choked up and cried on radio in 2007 when asked by ABC presenter Tracey Holmes asked how his children will cope when he dies. 

Bennett, who has won six premierships as a coach - five with Brisbane and the 2010 title with St George Illawarra - guided the Broncos to the NRL finals, but were eliminated in heartbreaking fashion on Friday night by the North Queensland Cowboys.

In an almost identical set of circumstances to last year's grand final, Johnathan Thurston was once again instrumental in getting the Cowboys over the line.

A sublime flick pass from Thurston to Michael Morgan sent him crashing over the line in extra time to score the try that put gave the Cowboys the win.