Only victory for the Rabbitohs and a grand final berth will prolong Wayne Bennett’s coaching career, which already includes nine grand finals, seven premierships and five clubs. For 35 seasons and 888 matches, Bennett has waged battles with 106 different coaches. Find out which ones own bragging rights over the veteran and the secret to his longevity.
The secret to Wayne Bennett’s longevity can finally be revealed.
Steve Price, who worked under Bennett as his assistant at St George-Illawarra before ultimately taking over from him in 2012, is one of only two coaches from an astounding list of 106 that has never been beaten by the wily old fox.
“Micro sleeps,” Price says from his office where he is coaching Warrington in the UK Super League.
“Experience is something that Wayne has — and that no other coach in the game can match.
“And he’s found a way to recharge the batteries with the shortest of shut-eye during the day.
“While almost every other coach is analysing this, discussing that and running from here to there, he’s worked out what it’s important and what isn’t.
“He keeps his mind fresh with a microsleep and his body strong by hitting the gym and lifting his 40kg.”
Price’s jest shouldn’t be mistaken for his respect and awe of Bennett’s longevity.
Bennett, 71, is days away from a preliminary final with South Sydney.
From his first coaching job as a 36-year-old co-coach with Don Furner at Canberra in 1987, Bennett’s enormous career can be whittled down to 80 minutes.
Only victory for the Rabbitohs and an exhilarating progression to the 2021 grand final will prolong Bennett’s coaching career, which already includes nine grand finals, seven premierships and five clubs.
Or perhaps there’s more to come?
WHAT COMES NEXT?
Without an NRL coaching contract for next season, Bennett is committed to returning to his home in Queensland next year.
He will likely be the coach of the NRL’s 17th team, most likely from Redcliffe in Brisbane, but that may not arrive until 2023.
Until then, Bennett is still coaching.
For 35 seasons and 888 matches, Bennett has waged battles with 106 different coaches.
Roll through the names and it’s as though you are strolling through a museum.
Some of the 106 images are so old they can only be showcased in black and white.
Some of the names you are able to walk by and nod knowingly at.
Some of the names require a pause for further investigation.
There are names like Craig Bellamy and Des Hasler, who continue turning up for combat.
Bennett’s 25.6 per cent winning strike rate — his fourth-worst record — against Bellamy only adds to the lustre of the Storm coach.
Some of the names, like Jack Gibson, Arthur Beetson, Graham Murray and Tommy Raudonikis, are no longer with us.
But perhaps most importantly, these are the names that provide an insight into one man’s sustainability in a sport where impatient boards and CEO’s have never been more ruthless on head coaches.
Bennett hasn’t won a premiership in 11 seasons, yet clubs like Newcastle, the Wests Tigers — who met and narrowly missed out on appointing him — and current club South Sydney bent themselves backwards to appoint the oldest coach in the game.
STAYING RELEVANT
The 106 names are the best illustration of Bennett’s ability to remain wanted by adapting through decades of rule changes, ever-changing player body shapes, coaching styles and media pressure.
Only two coaches among the long list — Bill Anderson and Price — stand-alone as having never been beaten by a Bennett-coached side.
“You’re kidding? Just repeat that for me,’’ said Anderson, who coached Balman in 1987.
“The thing is, we (Balmain) beat Canberra (Bennet’s team) twice that year, but they ended up making the grand final (against Manly).
“So typical of Wayne, he ended up having the last laugh.’’
Aside from microsleeps, Anderson, who coached Balmain for one season, before transforming into a respected commentator for Channel 10‘s match coverage in the early 1990s, says he knows why Bennett has lasted so long.
“With Wayne, there’s three things,’’ Anderson said.
“He seems to have a tremendous relationship with his players, particularly his senior players. That is something that gives you longevity in that the players play for you.
“He has a very good eye for identifying young talent. I think he‘s a really good coach of developing players and getting them ready for first grade.
“And the other thing he has is, you have to evolve and move with the times of coaching.
“The game that I coached has changed. Even the rugby league ball has gone from leather to rubber since then.
“He’s been able to shift his knowledge and a good coach takes in what everyone else is doing and then adapts those things into their own style.
“And he’s been able to do that.
“It’s an unbelievable career.’’
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