How Wayne Bennett’s focus on balance is helping South Sydney prosper this season

New South Sydney coach Wayne Bennett knows more than most when it comes to successful football teams so it’s no surprise his winning ways have followed him to the Rabbitohs.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 26: Wayne Bennett, coach of the Rabbitohs, walks onto the field during a South Sydney Rabbitohs NRL training session at Redfern Oval on March 26, 2019 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

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Damien Cook likens Wayne Bennett’s stare to a dad expressing his disapproval.

“It is a look that says I’m not mad, I’m just disappointed,” Cook grins.

“It is worse – sometimes you’d rather a big spray.”

Beyond Bennett’s gruff glare, which is often on display in post-game media conferences, is a caring, jovial and fiercely loyal coach.

Cook has got to know, and love, this side of the master coach in the past four months at South Sydney.

From the moment Bennett arrived at Redfern in early December, he has gone out of his way to understand the Rabbitohs players as people.

In one of his first meetings at Souths, he ordered the team to pick up a hobby or passion outside of football.

According to Cook, Bennett’s big picture approach has been a masterstroke.

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Instead of the Souths players spending all their hours thinking, breathing and sleeping rugby league, they are now devoting time to personal endeavours like education and business.

For Cook, his hobby is studying a Bachelor of Health and Movement at the Australian College of Physical Education at Olympic Park in Sydney.

The Rabbitohs rake has ambitions of being involved in the sports science field when he retires.

Cook believes Bennett’s focus on balance has helped the entire Souths squad prosper on the field this season.

“Wayne understands that footy isn’t everything,” Cook told The Daily Telegraph.

“He knows you’ve got to have a distraction and a life off the field otherwise you’ll get burnt out and lose your focus.

“He believes that when you leave training you have to get your mind off footy and enjoy life.

“Then when you come back to training you are a lot fresher and can concentrate a lot more.

“Wayne is always very helpful.

“He has got a lot of life experience and likes to share his experiences.”

Bennett’s emphasis on footballers having a life outside of the rugby league bubble is a mentality he encouraged during previous stints at Brisbane, St George Illawarra and Newcastle.

The veteran mentor regularly had discussions with his players about all things in life from buying shares to family and property.

Bennett’s mindset is simple – if you are happy off the field, you’ll invariably fire on it.

Souths five-eighth Cody Walker is the perfect case study.

Bennett has encouraged Walker to pursue his passion for educating and inspiring young indigenous youth.

The Rabbitohs playmaker likes to spend his share time helping kids at schools or junior league clubs across Sydney.

Walker says Bennett’s push for the team to pursue their passion has played a vital role in his on-field success this season.

Bennett wants his player to take their passion and make it happen. Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images.

“Wayne has been wonderful for us,” Walker said.

“He came in and he made it clear to us that we need to have a hobby outside of rugby league.

“It can’t be footy 24/7. Once you drive out of this place you don’t think about footy until you return to training.

“Wayne is a different person to what the media perceive him as.

“He is quite the character and he loves to have a joke. It lightens the mood in certain situations of our week.

“He isn’t big on over-complicating things and he is great at you doing your best role for the team.

“He has been outstanding.”

Inspired by Bennett, Walker wants to use his profile to encourage all indigenous children to chase their dreams.

“I want to break those barriers down,” said Walker, who hails from the Northern NSW town of Casino.

Walker says Bennett keeps things simple. Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images.

“I want the kids to shoot for the stars and think no dream is too big.

“That could be in the work force, the sporting arena or university.

“Some of those kids don’t receive the same opportunities as city kids, so I want to help.”

Rabbitohs utility Kyle Turner has also benefited from having Bennett on board as coach this season.

Turner says the key to the supercoach’s success is his personal skills.

“Wayne is more worried about the person rather than the football player,” Turner said.

“He wants you to be happy and he knows that you’ll play your best.

“It is comforting to know that you’ve got a coach who cares that much about you.

“The way Wayne goes about things – he is a smart man.

“He gives you everything he has got but he just expects the same from you - I love having him around the club and learn from him.”

Originally published as How Wayne Bennett’s focus on balance is helping South Sydney prosper this season