Wayne Bennett teaches the Dragons a lesson on dealing with adversity

Ahead of their Friday night football clash, Wayne Bennett’s Rabbitohs have given the Dragons a lesson in how to deal with adversity.

South Sydney Rabbitohs player James Roberts takes part in a team training session in Sydney, Monday, June 3, 2019. (AAP Image/Joel Carrett) NO ARCHIVING

• MATTY JOHNS: Raiders of the lost art

• BACK: Canberra could welcome back Leilua

It is the tale of two clubs sitting at opposite ends of the NRL ladder who go head-to-head.

Plenty has been made how St George Illawarra’s season was blown apart due to the suspension of Jack de Belin and the long-term injury of Gareth Widdop.

But what often gets overlooked is how South Sydney have been able to fight back despite the shock early season retirement of Greg Inglis.

The Rabbitohs signed James Roberts to replace Greg Inglis. AAP Image/Dean Lewins.

One person who doesn’t underestimate the significance of Inglis’ exit is Wayne Bennett who yesterday credited the Rabbitohs’ revival on the resilience of his playing group, along with the arrival of cut-priced rejects James Roberts, Ethan Lowe and Jaydn Su’A.

All three were unwanted by their previous clubs and signed at Souths for significantly less money.

“GI was a huge loss for us but these three guys have come in and they are doing a really good job for us,” Bennett said.

The Rabbitohs were allowed to free up salary cap space because of Inglis’ forced retirement.

In fairness to the Dragons, they have been hamstrung by the fact de Belin continues to get his wage as part of the NRL’s no fault stand down policy.

But Bennett said he was proud of how his players had dealt with the loss of their former skipper.

Widdop hasn’t played since Round 4. Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images.

“If you are faced with a situation like that, you just have to do the best you can,” Bennett said.

“The point is I’m pretty happy with the way these three have come to the club and fitted in.

“They have enhanced our squad and it is a credit to all the players.”

Bennett was instrumental in signing Roberts and Su’A who were unwanted at Brisbane, while he took the advice of assistant coach Jason Demetriou to target Lowe who was on the outer at North Queensland.

Lowe ended up getting a start for Queensland in the Origin decider and was one of the best forwards on the field, while Roberts is also really starting to hit his straps after languishing in Queensland Cup.

LISTEN! Matty’s back with Kenty and Finchy and they run the rule over the Raiders premiership chances, try to understand what’s happening at the Sharks and look back at the ‘89 grand final and ask what would have happened in 1989 if the Tigers won.

Bennett believes Roberts is in fact getting back to the standard that won him NSW selection last year.

Asked if he could see Roberts potentially forcing his way into an Australian jumper at the end of the season, Bennett said: “It’s a bit premature to be talking about that but I wouldn’t write him off.

“If his form continues as it is going into the play-offs, who knows what can happen,” Bennett said.

The Rabbitohs will be boosted tonight by the return from injury of Tom Burgess, while Widdop will play his first match since injuring his shoulder in round three.

Originally published as Wayne Bennett teaches the Dragons a lesson on dealing with adversity