Wayne Bennett has vowed not to raid the Dolphins’ roster when he departs for South Sydney at the end of the year. Over the weekend, Bennett confirmed his return to coaching the Rabbitohs next season, with a three-year deal to be finalized with Souths CEO Blake Solly on Monday.
The 74-year-old coach previously led the Rabbitohs from 2019 to 2021, guiding them to two preliminary finals and the 2021 grand final. Bennett will leave the Dolphins at the end of the season, passing the reins to assistant coach Kristian Woolf.
Bennett, pictured alongside Dolphins players, assured that he will not poach any players from the Dolphins as he transitions back to South Sydney. Image: Getty
Historically, Bennett has taken players with him when moving between clubs. The Dolphins boast a promising roster of young talent, but Bennett emphasized he will not take any player who wishes to stay.
“I won’t be taking any of their kids that they want to keep,” Bennett stated. “That’s not going to happen. I didn’t build this club to try and destroy it. If there’s a player they aren’t offering a contract to or one looking to leave, and I believe he can play, that’s different. But I want all these players to stay.”
Wayne Bennett has not influenced Souths’ recruitment
Bennett mentioned he hasn’t discussed recruitment with the Rabbitohs yet and won’t until his Dolphins tenure ends. “I haven’t signed the contract yet,” he explained. “I need to stay focused here, and I believe I’ve done that well.”
After 18 months preparing the Dolphins for the NRL, Bennett will face the challenge of leading the Rabbitohs’ pre-season in six months. “I’ve moved from a few clubs in my life under similar circumstances, so it’s not new to me,” Bennett said. “I’m experienced and know how to handle it. Everyone knows what’s happening, and you just get on with life. The current staff will manage things until I arrive. Ben Hornby is doing a great job as acting coach, and I plan to have him on my coaching staff. The transition will be smooth.”
The Dolphins have several young players excelling in the NRL and lower tiers.
Gordon Tallis predicts a Bennett overhaul
With a nearly finalized three-year deal, Bennett is expected to lead a transformation at the Rabbitohs, aiming for his eighth premiership. NRL legend Gordon Tallis believes Bennett will quickly put his stamp on the team.
Tallis anticipates Bennett will seek players similar to new Rabbitohs recruit Lewis Dodd, bringing an attacking spark to the squad. While Bennett claims no involvement in Dodd’s signing, Tallis expects Bennett to recruit gritty, hardworking players, much like he did with previous teams.
“Wayne will seek out those gritty players, like Max Plath,” Tallis said on NRL 360. “That is Wayne Bennett to a T. He finds the workers because he knows he has the talent to support them. Souths currently lack the foot soldiers willing to do the tough stuff for 80 minutes.”
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