Dazzat said:
"Forever in debt" ... that's why we want to sack Bennett after another final series appearance. Glad he's not in credit - we might have to shoot him.
Sorry but I just have to laugh at that, really what else is there to do in the face of such blind stupidity. Bennett is not above critism, to think otherwise is completely naieve, stupid and head in the sand behaviour. He's not a sacred cow as you would have us believe.
Dazzat said:
"What worked for Bennett in the 90s isn't working now". True, and what worked for Ricky Stuart three years ago isn't working now, and what worked for Graham Murray last year isn't working now. And what worked for Tim Sheens last year isn't working now. Whatever worked for John Lang in 2003 isn't working now ... according to some sideline commentators all these guys should be sacked (two have) and never coach again.
Pathetic comparisons. Stuart has had 2 poor seasons yet as still won a Premiership and gone to 2 other Grand Finals in the last 6 years, something Bennett hasn't done. Murray has only had 1 poor season but has still got to a Grand Final in the last 6 years, something Bennett hasn't done. Sheens has had 1 poor season but won a comp last year, something Bennett hasn't done in the last 6 years.
None of these blokes in the last 6 years has had the talent and representative experience that Bennett has had under him at any stage yet for 6 straight years the Broncos have slumped at the end of the season and have now lost 7 straight finals matches yet you want to sit there and tell me that Bennett is above questioning? Please do say so again with a straight face.
Dazzat said:
The difference between these guys mentioned above and Bennett is his team is in the finals yet again ... regardless of their record when in the finals.
There's no doubting that record but we're still making up the numbers at this stage of the season so in the end finals appearances mean nothing. The record for consecutive finals losses is 9 held by Norths and in second is Newtown with 8, the Broncos are quickly closing in on this total, really puts it in perspective doesn't it?
Dazzat said:
If the Broncos weren't showing motivation on the field, I might agree that Bennett should go. But this is not the case. As in evidence by their defensive record this year, motivation and pride in the jersey as as highly valued as ever. No blow out scores, and excellent effort week in week out. That says to me that the coach is leading from the front, and retains the respect of the players. Otherwise the players would just throw it in after the result was decided.
I've never doubted for a second Bennett's outstanding relationship as not just a coach but a mentor to players and I don't doubt their want to play well for him.
What I question is Bennett's tactical ability in the modern game and when I say the modern game I mean 2001 onwards, the first season back under limited interchange. Bennett's methodology of size beats mobility has been defeated at ALL levels. Gould and Stuart led the way with the Roosters at club level while the Broncos were left behind. At State level Gould's sides dismantled ridiculously big Qld packs and then at International level he coached Australia to it's first series defeat in god knows how many years. Bennett's stock in the modern game has been falling for several years now.
Dazzat said:
On Saturday night the problem was with dropped ball and execution. Players such as Webke, Lockyer and Hodges dropped the ball at crucial times. This is not a coaching problem, this is a player/on the night/stuff happens problem (players will admit this after the game).
No on Saturday night Bennett was completely tactically out-gunned by a junior coach in Nathan Brown. Around the ruck, the quick spreading of the ball to target the left hand side, pinning Hodges to the left hand side, everything was spot on for the Dragons while once again the Broncos were left looking simplistic and incapable of cracking the opposition.
Dazzat said:
The other thing is something Phil Gould said during the game. He has studied the Broncos more than any other team in the league. Why do you think he has done that? There are one of two reasons. Firstly, he wants to beat the Broncos more than any other team in the league. Or secondly, he admires the way they play.
The first is on the money, he's studied Bennett coached sides, worked them out and then destroyed them. As much as it pains me to say it, Gould is the greatest Origin coach and by a fair way over Bennett.
Dazzat said:
And I would imagine, most other coaches in the league do the same for the same reasons. No matter who coaches the Broncos, they will need to know that their tactics, set plays and player characteristics will be known intimately by every other coach in the league - more than any other club. And other clubs, particularly from Sydney, will be more motivated to beat them than any other club.
Been that was for nearly 19 years now, using the spotlight as an excuse is poor form, what next? Are you going to fall back to the next excuse of Origin and try to pretend the series only started 6 years ago?
Dazzat said:
Beating the Broncos is high on the agenda of every club because they are still regarded as a benchmark team. Is this because Bennett is a dud coach and still living in the '90s. If this was the case, why would Mr Gould give them the time of day.
Of course we are and of course we should be with 15 players with representative experience on our books. I'm still yet to see an explanation or a justification for 6 straight slumps and 7 straight finals losses. Keep searching.
Dazzat said:
Wayne Bennett deserves our respect - full stop.
Of course he deserves respect for his achievements in Rugby League. Doesn't mean that the Broncos aren't in need of a change and doesn't put him beyond being questioned. In case you haven't read around, I'm definetly not alone in questioning him, I know independent thought irks you.
Dazzat said:
The club or Wayne will know when the time is right - allow them to make the decision. The transition of replacing a 20-year coach must be done with respect and dignity otherwise it will rip the club apart.
Can you imagine the divide throughout the club and supporters if some supporters got their way and the club just sacked Bennett ... it would probably take the club five-to-10 years to recover from the in-fighting and bickering from making such an immature, short-sighted decision.
Regardless of the amount of money at your disposal, keeping a sporting club at the top is NOT about short-term, knee-jerk reactions to weekly win-loss.
That's all well and good but there is no transition being set up, no plans for the future from Bennett when his contract ends in a few years or if he buggers off to the Roosters next year or if he gets sacked the club has still been left with no successor so your point is redundant.
Bennett had the opportunity to hand over the reins while the perfect replacement in Bellamy was at the club but through various reasons (IMO selfishness and stuborness) he let Bellamy go who may very well go on to become a premiership winning coach this year. So who is Bennett's replacement now? Who's your candidate for this harmonious transition you wish to see?
Right now we have the chance to show some initiative as a club. Thank Wayne for the memories but his record with the talent at his disposal just hasn't been good enough for 6 straight years now and turn to a market which has a couple of decent coaches looking for a job, mainly the current Australian coach in Stuart who has seen success at both club and state levels.
