Wayne Bennett did a victory dance within the sheds after the Rabbitohs beat the Broncos in 2019 — and Damien Cook suspects the mastercoach would possibly do the identical if the Dolphins rise up on Friday night time.
The Dolphins have executed the surprising, profitable the primary three video games of their inaugural NRL season.
But they’ll get their largest take a look at but after they tackle cross-city rivals, the Broncos — who’re additionally undefeated.
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Bennett was the Broncos’ first coach and was on the helm for a complete of 25 years over two stints earlier than he was proven the door in 2018 in a bitter fallout.
He joined the Rabbitohs the next season and led them to 2 wins over his former membership.
After the primary, in Round 8, Bennett instructed reporters that his “first priority wasn’t about anything personal.”
He gave the narrative just a little extra consideration after the second win, in Round 23, saying: “It was great theatre throughout the week and it’s what makes the game what it is.”
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But when requested about going up towards the Broncos for the primary time as coach of the Dolphins, Bennett batted away the hype saying he has “no idea” what the week can be like within the lead-up to the sport.
He did nevertheless say it’ll be the “easiest game in the world to coach” as a result of “everybody wants to play in it.”
Cook, who performed in each of these 2019 video games, instructed the Fox League podcast that Bennett took the same method when the Rabbitohs would go up towards their arch rivals.
“He’s spot on with what he said about the players will want to play in these games and it’s true, when we would come up against the Roosters when Wayne was coach he was very much similar,” he stated.
“He didn’t need to (give) extra motivation because he knew we would be up for the challenge just because of the rivalry we have with the Roosters.”
As for the way Bennett will method this week, Cook expects him to maintain his playing cards near his chest.
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“He doesn’t let you know it, he pretty much is like how he is with the media sometimes but I think that’s when he knows he’s excited for the game, when he’s a bit more quiet,” he stated.
“He doesn’t make a big deal of it but he’s very thankful when you get the job done.”
But if the Dolphins produce the upset win at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night time, Bennett would possibly whip up the identical celebration he carried out in 2019.
“If Wayne does get the job done, I remember he danced for us in the sheds up there after we beat them (the Broncos) so that might happen again,” Cook stated.
After lacking out on a number of big-name targets, Bennett has assembled a roster that has gamers that “just look like they’re going to get their job done,” as Cook stated.
The likes of Kalyn Ponga, Cameron Munster and Brandon Smith had been on the Dolphins’ hitlist, however Cook — a New South Wales and Kangaroos consultant was by no means an choice.
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“We’d spoken a fair bit before he was going up there and I remember jokingly saying ‘you need a hooker up there’ and we both sort of laughed because he was like ‘I’d never do that to Souths’,” Cook shared when requested if Bennett drained to lure him to the Dolphins.
“He well and truly knew that I love the Bunnies and wanted to stay there so it was never pursued by him or myself to go up there.
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“But we always stayed in touch because I really enjoyed him as a coach and as a person away from the game as well. It’s definitely a highlight of my career to be able to say I was coached by Wayne.”
There’s no likelihood of Cook ever becoming a member of Bennett up there both after he revealed he “didn’t really look anywhere else” earlier than re-signing with the Rabbitohs in December.
South Sydney don’t face the Dolphins till Round 7, however Cook has been holding an in depth on them — and his mate, Wayne.
He stated their begin to the season is “great for the game” and is completely satisfied for Bennett.
“I’ve been wanting to call Wayne to congratulate him on a great start but they keep winning so I might wait until the week before we play them to try stuff that up,” Cook laughed.
Source web site: www.foxsports.com.au
