‘I like the vibe there’: Wayne Bennett confirms conversations with the Rabbitohs

Wayne Bennett was at his best on Friday morning as he answered everything thrown his way about a possible return to the Rabbitohs in 2025.

Wayne Bennett has spoken with the Rabbitohs about returning to the club next season to replace Jason Demetriou. Picture: NRL Photos

Wayne Bennett has confirmed he wants to coach next season, with a Rabbitohs reunion looking more and more likely after the club parted ways with Jason Demetriou earlier this week.

Reports are that Souths are set to offer the master coach a three-year deal, with Bennett to return to the club in 2025 after guiding them to the grand final in 2021 before Demetriou took over.

Wayne Bennett is the raging favourite to replace Jason Demetriou as South Sydney coach. Picture: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

“I made a statement the other day and nothing has changed since then. I spoke to them and they spoke to me,” he said.

“I’m going to be unemployed at the end of the year so there’s a job.

“I don’t know how long they want me for and I’ve had no conversation with them except they rang me up and spoke about an opportunity in the future. We’ll get our weekend football out of the way and we’ll talk next week.”

The Dolphins boss has also been linked with the Eels if they decide to move on from Brad Arthur, although that doesn’t seem likely for now.

The 74-year-old knows the ins and outs at Souths and isn’t ready to retire, with Bennett keen to reunite with Latrell Mitchell and Cody Walker who played their best footy under him.

Wayne Bennett has found a way to get the best out of Latrell Mitchell. Picture: AAP Image/Bianca De Marchi

“I like their brand, I’ve worked with them and have a good relationship with everyone there. It’s an iconic club and I like the vibe there,” he replied when asked what he likes about the Bunnies.

“I enjoy it. It gives me something to do. I don’t want to sit at home and twiddle my thumbs and bore myself to death.

“I don’t think of (retirement) so how can I be scared of it if I don’t think of it?

“If I didn’t think that I still had something to offer and I didn’t want to do it then I wouldn’t do it and I wouldn’t have to do it. But that’s not the case with me. I’d rather be doing something and making a contribution.

“I care about the game enormously and the people, so if I can go and help a club and make them better, that’s what motivates me and drives me.”

Bennett also backed Demetriou to get another chance in the NRL after he became the latest coach to struggle trying to replace the master.

“I still believe in him as a coach and I know he can coach,” he said.

“Something went amiss, and I’m not sure what that is. I haven’t asked a lot of questions and I don’t intend to at the moment.

“Coaching is a tough job and these things happen. He’s a good man and there’s a future for him in rugby league.”

Lewis Dodd is set to sign with the Rabbitohs as their halfback from 2025 onwards. Picture: Jess Hornby/Getty Images

Meanwhile, Bennett says he doesn’t know anything about English half Lewis Dodd, who has been linked with a move to Maroubra, with South Sydney chief executive Blake Solly saying the club’s next coach has to be on-board with the playmaker coming in next year.

“It doesn’t apply to me because I don’t know anything about Dodd so how can I think anything about him? I’ve never met the guy, I’ve never seen him play,” he said.

“I had nothing to do with it, it wasn’t my decision. I also heard the CEO say it was the retention committee’s decision, which included the head coach at the time which was Jason.

“I’ve got no problem with what they’ve done, but I know nothing about the player.”