NRL 2023: How Wayne Bennett saved Mark Nicholls’ career for a second time

You’re in a short-term relationship that’s going nowhere, then Wayne Bennett sends you a text. You can’t say no, right? Mark Nicholls reveals what the convincing message said.

Dolphins coach Wayne Bennett with Mark Nicholls after their round 1 win. Picture: NRL Photos

An eight word text message from Wayne Bennett was all it took for Mark Nicholls to break his contract at South Sydney to join the mastercoach at the Dolphins in 2023.

Nicholls flourished under Bennett in the three seasons together at Redfern. But under new Rabbitohs coach Jason Demetriou, Nicholls wasn’t part of the club’s long term plan.

So when Bennett came knocking, Nicholls knew the only thing left to do was ask for a release from the final year of his deal at South Sydney.

“Wayne said ‘do you want to come have some fun’ in a text message and I said ‘yes’,” Nicholls said.

“I was still on contract at Souths this year but when I negotiated my deal with Souths we spoke about it probably being my last deal, and if another club was willing to extend my career and look after me, they were of the agreement that they would let me go early.

“The Dolphins were announced and Wayne was coach … so we went through Souths and asked if we could explore that option.

“I’m grateful for them, JD (Demetriou) and Blake (Solly), they were OK for me to explore that option. From there it didn’t take much.”

Dolphins coach Wayne Bennett with Mark Nicholls. Picture: NRL Photos

Bennett signed Nicholls, 33, on a two-year deal at Redcliffe.

It’s not the first time Bennett has handed Nicholls an NRL lifeline.

Nicholls was languishing in reserve grade before becoming a mainstay in South Sydney’s 17 under Bennett during his time as head coach at the club.

“That stage of my career I had just turned 28. I guess it was a now or never season for me,” Nicholls said.

“Until that stage I had been mainly a reserve grade player and Wayne turned up (in 2019) and said ‘I’m going to play in your first grade’ around eight weeks before round one.

“He said ‘you’re a first grade footballer in my eyes’.

“For someone of Wayne’s standing in the game to say that about me, when he had only been at the club for a month, just put a bit of confidence in me.

“From that day on, I didn’t want to let him down. I built that confidence and trust he had in me. I still don’t want to let him down.”

Wayne Bennett and Mark Nicholls have a special bond. Picture: Steve Pohlner

Nicholls and Bennett, who took South Sydney to three-straight preliminary finals, will take on the Bunnies for the first time as Dolphins on Thursday night.

While Nicholls will always have a soft spot for the Rabbitohs, he won’t be taking a backwards step at Suncorp Stadium in his new colours.

“Until I went to Souths I was a reserve grader. I played 100 games at the club and it will always have a special place in my heart but at the end of the day I want to win this weekend for the Dolphins,” Nicholls said.

“They’ve got strike all over the park and turn up with the effort we played with on the weekend.

“We need to start well because you don’t want to give them a sniff and turn up wanting to play a fancy game of footy, they will beat us by 50.”

South Sydney made easy work of Canterbury last weekend but Nicholls believes his side are ready to build on a gallant win against North Queensland despite missing key men Felise Kaufusi and Sean O’Sullivan.

“Every week, it’s the strength of Wayne. He can bring the team together no matter who is in or out and give us clear direction and focus,” Nicholls said. Dolphins skipper Jesse Bromwich missed the Cowboys clash with illness but is due back on Thursday night.

Originally published as NRL 2023: How Wayne Bennett saved Mark Nicholls’ career for a second time