NRL 2023: Wayne Bennett and his subtle art of disarming the Brisbane Broncos

Wayne Bennett loves nothing more than goading his old firm the Broncos. This inaugural Battle of Brisbane is no small thing, and that’s why the Godfather will be pouring on the mind games.

Coach Wayne Bennett. Picture: Photo NRL Images

Just a month into the new gig and Wayne Bennett has found himself once again at his favourite destination, which is parked firmly inside the Broncos’ heads.

Bennett barely needs encouragement, but his taunting of the Broncos has become his sport of choice in recent years, one which he enjoys.

He shows a rare talent for it, it must be said.

Chairman Karl Morris is the favourite target but Morris registers low on the interesting meter so Bennett has to make do with more generic jibes, going left every time the Broncos think he is about to go right, looking up when they should be looking down.

The game is to make the Broncos second guess themselves.

Bennett never appreciated the way Morris or former chief executive Paul White pushed him out of the club last time around and, this being rugby league, a nation of warring tribes, he finds special delight in exploiting what he perceives is Morris’s naivety.

Whatever trick Wayne Bennett pulls this week, one thing is certain, it will definitely keep the Broncos guessing. Picture: Patrick Woods

Subtle enough for few to notice.

So good is he, many now do his bidding for him.

He says nothing, goes the narrative, and Wayne is preparing an ambush.

He says something and he is taking the pressure off his players for the week by making it about him.

It is Psychology 101 and the old professor looks down his nose and does it better than just about everybody.

It’s usually achieved by taking the opposite tact most would expect.

It is a subtle shift but knows most rugby league people are simple people, with a direct line between thought and response, and in that world it is enough to keep his rivals guessing.

As the players were still cooling down after Brisbane’s win over St George Illawarra Kevin Walters, asked to look forward to Friday’s game against the Dolphins, took the expected route.

Walters sounded like he was still thinking it up as he talked.

“I haven’t even thought about next week,” he said.

“We’ll fix up our defence, work hard and get ready for the team we’re playing next week.”

Walters didn’t name the Dolphins. He fell back into his former world when he was coaching Queensland and the Coach Whisperer, Mr Bradley Charles Stubbs, forbade him from saying “NSW” or “the Blues” or even look up at the clear blue sky.

So Kevvie pushed forward Saturday night until, cornered, he finally had to name his rival as the questions continued about Friday night’s first Brisbane derby.

Wayne Bennett knows the game is to have the Brisbane Broncos second guessing themselves.

Unlike Bennett, Walters has never been in an argument that a laugh couldn’t solve. He doesn’t have it in him to maintain the hate.

“We’re going to enjoy tonight’s win and (won’t) put that to bed until tomorrow or Monday and then we’ll get ready for our game next week,” he said.

“I guess that’s why the Dolphins were put in Brisbane, to create that rivalry.

“We’re not ‘rivals of the Dolphins’, we’re the Broncos, that’s our club, that’s who we are.

“That’s where our mindset is, we’re the Broncos.

“I haven’t even thought about next week, to be honest with you.”

So they’re the Broncos. And in the spirit of the simple mindgames to get under the other’s skin, he should have called them Redcliffe. Childish, but it does provoke a response.

But the Broncos are clearly positioning themselves to be above that, the statesmen steeped in rich history.

Bennett is already pushing buttons, though, subtly goading.

He knows Walters as well as anybody.

And he knows the trick is to go the opposite way they are expecting.

Broncos coach Kevin Walters and captain Adam Reynolds know Wayne Bennett will be delving into this bag of tricks this week.

So when Bennett was asked about coming up against the Broncos, and one of his favourite players Walters, well, no big deal.

“There’s no pressure this week,” he said.

“It’s the easiest game in the world to coach.

“Everybody wants to play in it. If you’re a football player you want to be there at the best stadium in Australia. I don’t think anyone will need motivating to be there.”

Broncos captain Adam Reynolds was asked whether Bennett would have the Dolphins up for the Broncos.

“Yeah I think so, yeah, it’d be silly not to say yes,” Reynolds said.

Walters felt obligated to assist.

“We know Wayney, don’t worry, we both know Wayney,” Walters said.

Which might be the case, but can they recognise him coming in?

Originally published as NRL 2023: Wayne Bennett and his subtle art of disarming the Brisbane Broncos