Wayne Bennett has last laugh as South Sydney smash Brisbane

Revenge doesn’t come much sweeter, even for a crotchety old coach, as an unusually delighted Wayne Bennett oversaw his Rabbitohs destroying former club Brisbane.

It was a dominant display from Souths. Image: Phil Hillyard

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Retribution. Revenge. Reprisal. It doesn’t come much sweeter, even for a crotchety old coach.

An unusually delighted Wayne Bennett extracted vengeance on Thursday night when his South Sydney Rabbitohs destroyed former club Brisbane 38-6 at ANZ Stadium.

In what was rugby league’s grudge match of the season, Bennett was back to torment the club that controversially sacked him late last year.

This must have been among the most satisfying wins of Bennett’s 32-year NRL coaching career.

Souths were devastating in a six-tries-to-one smash-up.

Defeat has left the Broncos in disarray and it was a bitter loss for the under-pressure Anthony Seibold, who left behind players who were dirty when he walked out of Redfern last year.

Brisbane have won just two games this season and a top-four spot has ­already evaporated. Now their season looks to be imploding.

Both coaches, who dislike each another, were desperate for victory but the scoreboard reads Bennett one, Seibold nil. It was also Souths’ equal biggest win over Brisbane.

Even he must have smiled at this result. Image: Phil Hillyard

Souths left the field to a standing ovation from fans at halftime, who were revelling in the 24-0 scoreline.

Three tries inside the first 26 minutes gave South Sydney an 18-0 lead.

“Wayne will be pretty happy,” Souths hooker Damien Cook said.

The Rabbitohs have now won seven games from eight and if 28 points is enough to reach the finals, they only need to win another six.

“There weren’t too many things I didn’t like about what we did,” Bennett said.

“My first priority was to come here tonight wanting us to play well. It wasn’t about anything personal.”

It was a dominant display from Souths. Image: Phil Hillyard

Asked if he had any sympathy for Brisbane, Bennett said: “I’m not thinking too much about them.”

“These guys are so lucky to be playing under Bennett,” former Souths and Kangaroos prop Mark Carroll said.

LISTEN! Matty reveals the biggest lie he ever told coach, the song he can’t get out of his head, an Origin rumour that won’t go away and what it’s like to have a video session under Tommy Raudonikis. Don’t miss this week’s episode of the Matty Johns podcast.

LAME BRONCOS

The sunrise for new coach Seibold is becoming a premature sunset.

Brisbane were a tad unlucky with the bounce of the ball but discipline hurt them. They look to be a team playing without confidence.

“We made more tackle breaks than Souths, we missed less tackles than them but we were on the wrong side of the scoreline,’’ Seibold said.

“We just have to keep working hard and keep getting better. There are some pretty tough lessons at the moment. I will keep fighting hard. I knew it wouldn’t be easy.”

Cody Walker did the damage for South Sydney. Image: Phil Hillyard

TRY-MENDOUS WALKER

South Sydney five-eighth Cody Walker scored twice inside the opening 17 minutes and set up another try right on halftime. He performed a goanna celebration after his second try in honour of retired star Greg Inglis.

Walker’s effort was another worthy of NSW selection.

“Cody is getting better and better,” Cook said.

Walker’s halves partner Adam Reynolds scored a 72m intercept try and also performed the goanna, as did John Sutton nearing fulltime.

“I thought it (the goanna) was a great tribute to Greg,” Bennett said.

Sam Burgess was brutal again.

It was a stirring farewell for one of the game’s greats. Image: Phil Hillyard

BYE BYE, GI

What a farewell. What a player. The retired Inglis was presented to the crowd and they stood, applauded and cheered for more than a minute.

More than 5000 fans wore GI masks and 5000 Inglis posters were given away.

Inglis’s wax figure from Madam Tussauds Sydney was on display along with a giant “thank you” card for fans to sing. An indigenous dance and didgeridoo player welcomed ­Inglis onto the field.

“What an amazing career that has come to an end,” Inglis told the crowd.

Brisbane rookie Dearden didn’t look overawed. Image: AAP Image/Brendon Thorne

ROOKIE PASSES TEST

Broncos halfback Tom Dearden played tough on debut. He only turned 18 in March but wasn’t overawed.

A tough night to mark your 300th NRL game. Image: Phil Hillyard

300 OF THE BEST

Defeat should not diminish Darius Boyd’s 300-game achievement.

He has played for Queensland, Australia and captained the Broncos. He even spent time in a Thai rehab centre for mental health issues. Boyd has come through it all. The 30m line last night read 300, which was a nice tribute.

Originally published as Wayne Bennett has last laugh as South Sydney smash Brisbane