Wests Tigers are too much hard work for Wayne Bennett, says Robert Craddock
WESTS Tigers haven’t made the finals for eight years. There could be some romance and even stability on offer for Wayne Bennett — but the Broncos coach needs a different kind of challenge, writes ROBERT CRADDOCK.
Opinion
Don't miss out on the headlines from Opinion. Followed categories will be added to My News.
WAYNE Bennett has spent the last 30 years telling his players to back themselves. Now he should do the same.
Penrith’s stunning acquisition of Ivan Cleary, initially from 2021 but perhaps next year, has opened the door for the Wests Tigers to launch a bid to entice Bennett south as soon as next season.
The electric crackle of a controversial contract deal and the romance of Cleary Senior and Junior being united have masked one simple fact — the Wests Tigers are not the club for Bennett.
Not next year or ever.
MORE NEWS
REVEALING: DCE on Watmough and reputations
Bennett turns 69 in January and, like an old master builder, is up for some deft tinkering. But the days of full blown, top-to-bottom renovations are gone.
Fit as he is, that is a job for younger men who can work around the clock which is why Bennett should back himself to stay at the Broncos for one last year and back his team to improve and himself to get a better job on the strength of it.
Bennett might just be the man who can sneak into the Dragons or the Rabbitohs — if Anthony Seibold heads to Brisbane — and provide the spit and polish that lifts them from good to great.
But the Wests Tigers are just too hard. As Tigers legend Benny Elias said, they are a laughing stock at the moment.
None of the seven coaches who have led them has managed a 50 per cent winning record, even though Tim Sheens won a premiership.
They haven’t made the finals for eight years.
When Kevin Walters was mulling over applying for the Gold Coast Titans job, a friend said to him “people say you will be a hero even if you get them into seventh or eighth spot but you have won a fistful of premierships — seventh spot might satisfy them but it won’t float your boat after all you have done.’’
You could say the same of Bennett at the Tigers. A seventh-place finish next year would be a substantial pass mark for the club, but for Bennett it would be about as stimulating as a cucumber sandwich.
Bennett is essentially playing a game of chicken — with himself.
One part of him would no doubt love the security of a long-term deal with the Tigers, which may be the first significant offer that comes his way. His great fear is not going to a weak club, but having no club at all.
But if he backs himself with a young and extremely promising Broncos side next year, the rewards could be much greater.
If he can take the Broncos to somewhere near a premiership next year, the offers will look after themselves.
Don’t worry about the timeline, his age or how many spots are open. The offers will come.
The soon-to-be-clinched unification of the Clearys is an interesting affair.
Between them, father and son are likely to bag about $7 million in contract fees, with Nathan signing a five-year deal and his father set for three or more.
It sounds great in theory, but the pressure will be incredible and they will have to negotiate it as a family.
Great challenges await.
Get ready for cricket like never before. FREE Sport HD + Entertainment until the first 4K cricket ball as part of 2 months free on a 12 month plan. SIGN UP TODAY. T&Cs apply.
Why the Tigers are right to laugh off Luai contract critics
The Wests Tigers have handed Jarome Luai a massive contract with almost no strings attached, but how else could the perennial cellar dwellers attract the most sought after star in the game, asks BRENT READ.
Weekend Read: Signs the tide is finally turning for Wests Tigers
The 2025 NRL season will start with plenty of hope at the Wests Tigers thanks to the arrival of some key signings, a soft draw and some new standards, writes BRENT READ.