Wayne Bennett under fresh fire over Souths detail as grim Dolphins truth laid bare
The Dolphins have won just three from 12 since Bennett announced he had signed with Souths for next season.
Ugly claims are being thrown around about Dolphins coach Wayne Bennett as his side's NRL form slide coincides with his decision to join the Rabbitohs next season. After looking like premiership contenders to begin the 2024 campaign, the Dolphins have faltered, winning just three from 12 since Bennett's deal to return to Souths was announced back in May.
It is no secret that in recent months the super coach has begun pulling some strings behind the scenes at Redfern, despite still being in charge of the Dolphins. And he has made some moves that have not sat well with the Dolphins faithful.
Bennett first vowed not to raid the Dolphins' playing stocks after agreeing to join the Rabbitohs. However, both second rower Euan Aitken and promising young forward Lachlan Hubner have agreed to follow Bennett out the Dolphins' door to Souths next season. He also reportedly had a hand in signing Manly halfback Jamie Humphreys, dealing with the Latrell Mitchell white substance saga and had a large say in the decision to release star hooker Damien Cook from his deal a year early.
On Monday, The Daily Telegraph’s Phil Rothfield said in a column that Bennett has been working two jobs since agreeing to return to the side he coached to two preliminary finals and a grand final from 2019 to 2021. "When Wayne Bennett signed (with Souths) after Round 11, the Dolphins were in fourth spot with seven wins from ten games," Rothfield wrote. "Since he signed with Souths and fingerprints all over what’s happened there, preparing for next year, they’ve won three from 12 and they’re about to bomb out of the finals race.
"I defy anyone in rugby league, whether you’ve won six or seven premierships, whether you’re a super coach, to hold down two jobs at once. If you’re a figurehead of a rugby league club, if you are going elsewhere next year, you just can’t do it. It just doesn’t happen in any working environment … The bottom line is in no workplace can you have two jobs."
Has Wayne Bennett been too loyal in his team selection?
However, The Australian’s Brent Read told NRL360 that the Dolphins' decline has more to do with Bennett's failure to adapt and being too loyal to last year's playing group, rather than his attention being split. In particular, Read pointed out his failure to act on Isaiya Katoa and Kodi Nikorima's dips in form in 2024.
“I don’t have an issue with what he’s done (in relation to Souths). I don’t think the Dolphins’ issue is Wayne being distracted with Souths,” Read said. “Their issue is that they lost Flegler who was huge for them as their forward pack is ageing.
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“I would say the other issue Wayne’s had is that he’s been too loyal to his halves. I think Katoa needed a break a long time ago as did Kodi Nikorima. He’s stuck too solid with his halves for too long.
“I understand the appearance isn’t great but what I’m saying is I don’t necessarily think the appearance is a reflection of what has happened to them. What happened to them, I think is a separate issue. There are other issues at play. It doesn’t look great but I don’t think he’s lost that dressing room.”
