Wayne Bennett really is the master
He may be the greatest coach ever to mentor a rugby league team but that did not fortify Wayne Bennett from criticism that the game may have passed him by, as he headed into the 2015 season. It is a barb often thrown at ageing coaches and one that should never be thrown at the truly great.
After failing to garner any results at Newcastle, Bennett was deemed to be out of touch. The subsequent results of the Knights this season – a sacked coach, a wooden spoon – show that the last three seasons in the Hunter were more a reflection of the Knights than of Bennett. His performance in his return year to the Broncos only confirmed it.
Bennett has done a truly remarkable job fashioning Brisbane into grand finalists and premiership favourites in just his first year. He has taken Ben Hunt’s game to the next level. He has guided Brisbane to the most attractive brand of football in the premiership on the back of Hunt’s partnership with Anthony Milford. He has rejuvenated the careers of Adam Blair, Sam Thaiday and Jack Reed while finally helping Jordan Kahu realise his potential.
And there is no coach you would rather in your corner for a big game than Bennett, who has coached in eight grand finals for seven wins. In preliminary finals, Bennett is 7-4. When rugby league’s final word is written, the all-time team will be coached by none other than the incomparable Wayne Bennett.
Save Hodges
It would be an absolute travesty if Justin Hodges was rubbed out of the grand final in what will be his final match. The decorated centre has done all there is to in the game and is arguably the best centre three-quarter to play since Mal Meninga with two premierships, multiple Origin victories and the honour of representing Australia. He has done it all with an incredibly fragile body that has given way on many occasions.
It looked like Hodges could be in danger of missing a fairytale farewell through injury when he clutched his leg early in the dominant win over the Sydney Roosters, leaving the field and screaming in frustration. He now awaits word from the match review committee over a lifting tackle that will see him suspended even with the lowest grade charge.
Few will have the gall to attempt to predict if a charge will be levelled given the inconsistency of the committee this year but all will be hoping common sense will prevail. There was little in the tackle and he should have nothing to answer for.
Howler shows frailties of structure
The Roosters’ preliminary final was essentially over before it began after Shaun Kenny-Dowall’s infamous intercept on their first touch gifted the Broncos an early lead, a mental edge and a huge lift in the voice of the crowd.
The Chooks never recovered from the play that had more than a hint of Paul Carige – whose infamous shocker cost Parramatta the 1998 preliminary final against Canterbury – about it.
It also highlighted the frailty of following structures and game plans too rigidly. There is no doubt that Kenny-Dowall threw the pass with little thought to the consequences, thinking only of orders that the Roosters shouldn’t be cornered early in a set.
It was structure that has taken the Roosters to three straight minor premierships but it was also structure that killed their title hopes as they were unable to break the shackles when required. While the Roosters won a premiership in 2013, they will no doubt look over the last two seasons as a terrible opportunity missed.
Thurston a modern marvel
There is no surer thing in the world than Johnathan Thurston one day being named an Immortal of the game. And when they rattle off his long list of achievements and show all his masterful displays, there should be a fair part devoted to his dominant performance against the Melbourne Storm on Saturday. It was a truly great display.
Thurston had four assists to single-handedly gut the Storm and end their title hopes. There is no player who thrives more on the big stage than Thurston, who time and time again delivers when it matters most. If the Cowboys are to get the job done this Sunday, it will be on the back of the fabulous Johnathan Thurston.
Take the grand final to Brisbane
With an all-Queensland grand final for the first time in premiership history, the time has come for the NRL to take premiership deciders to Brisbane and other rugby league cities. Sydney’s apparent natural right to the season finale is as absurd as it is arrogant.
Brisbane has long shown more support to rugby league than Sydney. The Broncos are the best run club in the NRL. Fans turn up. Ratings are higher. And it is something the NRL can make a dollar from by putting the grand final each year out for tender. With many clubs crying poor and clubland severely under-resourced, it is a good idea to pit Brisbane and Sydney against each other with a jackpot at the end.
