Dolphins CEO Terry Reader has firmly rejected claims that Wayne Bennett, the team’s head coach, has lost focus on his current role due to his upcoming position with the South Sydney Rabbitohs. As the Dolphins gear up for a critical NRL derby against the Brisbane Broncos, Reader addressed the criticism that has arisen following the announcement of Bennett’s return to South Sydney next season. Since this announcement, the Dolphins have struggled, losing nine of their last twelve games, which has sparked concerns about Bennett’s commitment to the team.
Reader was quick to dismiss these concerns, emphasizing that those who question Bennett’s dedication simply do not understand how he operates. He pointed out that the Dolphins are still a young team, only in their second season, and are in the process of building their depth. Despite the losses, many of the games were closely contested, indicating that the team, under Bennett’s guidance, remains competitive. Reader stressed that the upcoming match against Brisbane is of utmost importance to Bennett, dismissing any notion that the coach is no longer invested in the team’s success.
The criticism surrounding Bennett’s focus has been fueled by the Dolphins’ drop in form since his contract with the Rabbitohs was made public. At the time of the announcement, the Dolphins were in fourth place, but they have since slipped to tenth. Reader attributed this decline not to a lack of interest from Bennett but to a series of injuries to key players like Tom Gilbert, Tom Flegler, and Jeremy Marshall-King. He also noted that the team has been plagued by second-half fade-outs and a bench that has struggled to make an impact, further complicating their campaign.
As the Dolphins and Broncos prepare for their crucial clash, both teams find themselves in a tight race for a spot in the finals, with each needing to secure wins in the remaining rounds and hope for a slip-up by the eighth-placed St George Illawarra Dragons. Reader reiterated that Bennett’s commitment to the Dolphins remains unwavering, despite the external noise suggesting otherwise.
Prop Mark Nicholls also defended Bennett, stating that any suggestion of the coach being less focused is baseless. He highlighted that the transition to assistant coach Kristian Woolf, who is set to take over in 2025, has been planned from the beginning. Nicholls dismissed the idea that players would reduce their effort knowing Bennett is leaving, as Woolf is already holding them accountable and assessing their commitment for the future.
Nicholls also emphasized that Bennett’s hatred for losing has not diminished, and he is as engaged as ever. He expressed confidence that Bennett would have the team ready to take on the Broncos, noting the coach’s ability to simplify the game and motivate players, especially when they are positioned as the underdogs. With Bennett at the helm, Nicholls believes the Dolphins have every chance of pulling off an upset in their upcoming derby【8†source】【9†source】.
