Wayne Bennett curse strikes again on Kristian Woolf and struggling Dolphins

Wayne Bennett has proven once again he’s the toughest man in rugby league to replace, with Kristian Woolf and the Dolphins his latest victim. It leaves the Redcliffe side with a mountain to climb, writes ROBERT CRADDOCK.

The Wayne Bennett curse has struck again with the desperate Dolphins in danger of losing their first seven matches of the season.

The winless Dolphins face the Broncos in the Battle of Brisbane of Friday night which could be their fourth loss in a row under new coach Kristian Woolf.

And there could be further rugged times ahead with two of their next three opponents being Penrith and the Melbourne Storm.

The Dolphins salvation could be an April 5 match against the Titans but that match will be played on the Coast and the Titans will be no pushover.

Coaches who follow Bennett at a club have a notorious record for failing with Steve Price (Dragons), Ivan Henjak (Broncos), Rick Stone (Knights), and Jason Demetriou (Souths) all losing their jobs within several season of replacing rugby league’s longest serving coaches.

One of the reason for the decline is that it is difficult to replicate the connection Bennett has with his players and the confidence he gives them. It can be reflected in all sorts of simple ways like assured handling of the ball.

Kristian Woolf has a job on his hands. Picture: NRL Photos

The Dolphins are 0-3 to start the season. Picture: NRL Photos

Even though they had several major challenges due to Cyclone Alfred in the first two rounds the Dolphins have been disappointing.

When bookies made the Dolphins favourites to win the wooden spoon many judges felt they had got it wrong. But they do look modest and must improve in a hurry.

TERRIFIC TINO

Tino Fa'asuamaleaui has gotten right back to business upon his NRL return. Picture: Albert Perez/Getty Images

There’s something special about Titans captain Tino Fa’asuamaleaui.

Some players who sign long term contracts seem to slip into self-preservation mode to go the long journey.

Tino is the opposite. He may be tied up to the Titans until 2033 but, as evidenced in his 29 tackle-153 running metre running game against Newcastle, he plays every match as if his entire future depends on it. It’s inspiring to watch. And in a team like the Titans which has had so many drifters, it stands out.

THE TIGERS TALE

Are the Tigers finally set for some joy this season? Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

Turning around the Wests Tigers is rugby league’s equivalent of raising the Titanic but Benji Marshall and Shane Richardson might just do it.

It’s early days but the Tigers have won two of three games and showed against the Dolphins they are more resilient than they have been.

Queensland-raised Richardson, who joined the club as chief executive on a four-year deal last year, is not a man to be underestimated. He was at Penrith and South Sydney when they won drought breaking premierships and knows the drill to build a successful club.

KEV’S CALL

Kevin Walters interviews Wayne Bennett. Picture: Brett Hemmings/Getty Images

Kevin Walters is making solid progress in his return to the microphone with Fox Sports.

The late, great Courier-Mail league writer Paul Malone used to say that, in the Broncos glory days he would often make Walters a priority interview in the Broncos sheds because he gave “the best 30 to 40 word summations of a game.’’

There was evidence of this in his punchy call of the Dolphins-Wests game on Sunday where his instant analysis of the likes of Kodi Nikorima enhanced the coverage.

THE GRIZZLY BEARS

Rugby league, as reported by this masthead’s Peter Badel, faces an important few weeks in trying to nail down a deal with the West Australian government to form the Western Bears.

The NRL has not asked for advice on how to get this one over the line but we will give it anyway.

The first thing to remember is dealing with Perth is the polar opposite of dealing with the other new club from Papua New Guinea who were desperate to sign up.

Perth are not. West Australian premier Roger Cook even said “they need us more than we need them.’’

The NRL are not doing Perth a favour. If a rugby league team never lands in Perth barely anyone in that state will give a tinker’s cuss.

Perth folk of all sports have a long held suspicion of eastern states officials. This one will not be an easy one to land. Treading softly might be the best way to seal the deal.

Originally published as Wayne Bennett curse strikes again on Kristian Woolf and struggling Dolphins