‘I need a job’: Bennett shoots down key post-axing claim

Dolphins coach Wayne Bennett has held court in a humorous press conference in the wake of reports linking him to the Rabbitohs.

Wayne Bennett press conference.

Dolphins coach Wayne Bennett has held court in an interesting and humorous press conference Friday morning in the wake of reports the Rabbitohs will offer the supercoach a three-year deal from 2025.

Bennett told reporters that “nothing has changed” regarding his interest in linking back up with the Rabbitohs, and that he’ll meet with Souths powerbrokers next week to discuss a potential deal.

When pressed by a journalist about the reported offer on the table, Bennett shot back, implying he hasn’t received any offer.

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“Listen to my conversation. Have I said this? When did you get the offer from them? I said we’re not talking till next week,” Bennett said.

“I made a statement the other day. Nothing has changed there.”

Bennett was asked why he was interested in taking the Souths job and heading back to the team he coached from 2019-2021

“Well I’m going to be unemployed. I need a job,” Bennett quipped, referencing the fact his deal with the Dolphins ends after this season.

Wayne Bennett could return as South Sydney coach.

“I don’t know why they want me. We spoke about an opportunity in the future and we said we’d get our weekend of football away and we’ll speak next week. We haven’t got to next week.

“I like their brand, I like them. I’ve worked with them, I can relate with everybody there, it’s an iconic club and I just like the vibe there.”

In the wide-ranging press conference, Bennett was asked what motivated him to keep on coaching at 74 years of age and beyond.

“I enjoy it and it gives me something to do. I didn’t want to sit home and twiddle my thumbs and warm myself to death,” he replied.

“If I didn’t think I had something to offer and I didn’t want to do it, I wouldn’t do it, I don’t have to do it. But not the case with me.

“I’d rather be doing something and not doing it and make a contribution. I care about the game enormously. And there’s people, if I can go and help a club and make them better then that’s what motivates me and drives me.”

On Tuesday night, after weeks of speculation, the Rabbitohs parted ways with Jason Demetriou after a two-and-a-bit year reign as the club’s head coach.

Demetriou worked under Bennett before being handed the keys when the legendary coach left at the end of 2021.

Bennett believes his former protege “can coach” and tipped Demetriou still has a bright future ahead of him in the NRL as a coach.

“I still believe him as a coach. I know he can coach, but something has gone amiss there and I’m not sure what that is, I haven’t asked a lot of questions and don’t intend to at the moment,” Bennett said.

“But coaching is a tough job. There’s things happen and I’ve been fortunate. it’s only happened to me once, so-so happens and you just get along with your life. It doesn’t make you a bad person.

“He’s a good man and there’s a future for him out there in rugby league.”

Bennett was then quizzed on why teams he’s coached in the past have seemed to fail soon after his departure.

“Well that’s not my fault,” he fired back.

Wayne Bennett facing the media in a tense press conference on Friday morning.

The Rabbitohs are reportedly set to sign St Helens halfback Lewis Dodd on a three-year deal from 2025.

There was a strong whisper that Bennett was consulted about Dodd’s signing, but he wasn’t having any of that when grilled about the halfback.

“I don’t know anything about him. I know nothing. I don’t know anything about him,” Bennett exclaimed.

“I don’t know about Dodd, so how can I think anything about it? I’ve never met Dodd. I’ve never seen him play. I don’t remember seeing him play. So I had nothing to do with it.

“I also heard the CEO (Blake Solly) say that it was the retention committee’s decision, which had included the head coach at the time which was Jason. So that’s what they’ve done.

“I’ve got no problems with what they’ve done I just don’t know anything about the bloke.”

Originally published as ‘I need a job’: Bennett shoots down key post-axing claim