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Souths lacking belief as Bennett faces unwanted career first

By Robert Dillon

A week is a long time in rugby league, even for someone who has spent as many weeks in rugby league as Wayne Bennett.

After his South Sydney team were hammered 50-28 by the Dolphins at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday - leaving Bennett pondering the prospect of missing out on three consecutive finals campaigns for the first time in his career - the game’s longest-serving coach admitted the Rabbitohs’ main problem was between the ears.

“We don’t have enough confidence in ourselves,” Bennett said.

“That’s our biggest challenge. That’s a bit of a battle. It’ll go into a bit of journey and I’m up for it, I know what it is, and I’ve just got to get on top of their mindsets.”

He added that his players “just don’t believe enough … right now I’m trying to build a team that believes in itself, and we’re not there yet.”

Eight days earlier, however, as Souths prepared for their home game against high-flying Melbourne Storm, there seemed no signs of doubt when Bennett was asked if his team were finals contenders.

“We haven’t lost that confidence at all,” Bennett said. “We’ve played the top four teams four games in a row, and every one of those games we’ve been in the game and leading at different stages.

“So we’re not far off, we know that. But we’re not a top-four team. We’ll need to get these [injured] players back to be a top-four team.”

Wayne Bennett’s return to South Sydney this season has produced underwhelming returns.

Wayne Bennett’s return to South Sydney this season has produced underwhelming returns.Credit: Getty Images

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At Suncorp on Saturday, Souths fielded what appeared to be a full-strength line-up, other than skipper Cameron Murray, who hasn’t played this year after rupturing his Achilles, and new recruit Brandon Smith, who is still awaiting a clearance to return from a knee reconstruction.

By half-time, the scoreline was 30-6 in the Dolphins’ favour, and while Bennett seemed to take some solace from “winning” the second half 22-20, the bottom line is his team have now lost five games in a row and sit second last on the competition ladder, ahead of only hapless Gold Coast Titans.

The top four, at this point, is pie in the sky. Souths will need a minor miracle - probably six wins from their remaining eight games - just to scrape into the play-offs.

If they miss out, Bennett will find himself as a finals spectator for the third straight year, which would be a career first.

In his two previous seasons, as foundation coach of the Dolphins, he steered the NRL’s newest franchise to 13th and 10th - respectable but hardly a cause for celebration for a man who has been involved in the post-season 30 times, winning a record seven premierships in the process.

Adding to the challenge Bennett is facing, primary playmaker Cody Walker suffered a hamstring injury on Saturday that is expected to sideline him indefinitely.

The 35-year-old was returning from a groin issue that had caused him to miss two games, having also spent six weeks out with a torn calf earlier in the year.

Walker, who has been negotiating a one-year contract extension with Souths, created two tries in quick succession for back-rower Tallis Duncan on Saturday before limping from the field in the 65th minute.

His likely absence for next Sunday’s crucial clash with Manly at Brookvale raises the question of whether English import Lewis Dodd will receive another top-grade opportunity.

Lewis Dodd has made only three NRL appearances since joining Souths from England.

Lewis Dodd has made only three NRL appearances since joining Souths from England.

Dodd, who joined Souths from Super League heavyweights St Helens on a lucrative three-year deal, has made only three NRL appearances since arriving, including two off the bench.

He was named in the starting line-up to tackle Melbourne two weeks ago, only for Bennett to belatedly shuffle his squad, moving Jack Wighton to five-eighth and Euan Aitken into the centres.

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That could again be an option for Bennett this week, or he might consider a recall for Jayden Sullivan, who was named to play alongside Dodd in Souths’ NSW Cup team to play Newtown on Sunday.

Bennett said Walker’s prognosis was unclear, adding: “We’ll get someone else next week to do the job.”

After opening the year with four wins from five games, Souths have celebrated only two victories from their past 11 fixtures, leaving them in the same position - second last - that they finished in last year.

It’s a far cry from expectations when it was announced last year that Bennett was returning to the Rabbitohs, whom he steered to two preliminary finals and a grand final in his previous stint at the club.

Souths have already indicated they would like to extend the 75-year-old’s tenure beyond his current three-season deal.

“The season right now, different challenges are landing on our doorstep every day, so I’m not frustrated by it, I’m not angry about it,” Bennett said. “Let’s just accept the reality of.”

Michael Chammas and Andrew “Joey” Johns dissect the upcoming NRL round, plus the latest footy news, results and analysis. Sign up for the Sin Bin newsletter.

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Original URL: https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/souths-lacking-belief-as-bennett-faces-unwanted-career-first-20250629-p5mb2r.html