Whilst I tend to think that Dr.J has exagerated his point, I do agree that the public perception of Wayne's honour and loyalty is a little overplayed.
But there are two issues being discussed here - ruthlessness and honour - and, whilst they overlap, they are different.
I think that people need to accept that Bennet is going to be ruthless. Nearly all successful sportsmen are ruthless. Even Pat Rafter said that he had to be totally selfish towards his family and friends when on tour.
His sacking of his assitants is an example of his utter ruthlessnes - he had a bunch of some of the brightest and best former players working under him - wasn't it his job to help them improve? Was it wrong to sack them? That's arguable, and would depend on what he had said to them in the background. We'll never know. All we know is that it definitely was ruthless.
However, if Brian Smith did that everyone would say he was ruthless and nasty, and Brian wouldn't argue the point. But when Wayne does it he somehow manages to keep his humble, loyal public image.
However, honour is a different category, and can be expected of anyone.
If he was so honourable, why did Petero end up at Penrith after Wayne had agreed a high back-end deal? Petero - who is truly a gentleman - left angry. Gordie also fell out with him, Webcke wasn't too happy with him by the end etc etc
Fact is, he was preaching loyalty to Petero et. al and claiming they should stay for less money, meanwhile he was using the Thoroughbreds to get all he wanted and no-one knew. Just like he has got what he wants from the Boards he has worked with.
Remember when he didn't go to NQ? He stated he wanted a CEO who could "keep his board in line." In other words, Wayne wants to rule the CEO (like he does with Doust) and he wants them to then rule the Board. Therefore, Wayne gets his way. Again, this is ruthless behaviour, not necessarily wrong.
What IS wrong is that he uses his position to influence behind the scenes and hides behind the preaching of honour, loyalty etc. He is a political animal and he is winning the game BIG TIME. It's why he won't deny the stories that he won't work with Cullen under certain circumstances - he'll happily let people run with the fact that that he won't return unless he and Cullen can sort things out. That way, he either a) gets rid of Cullen, or b) has Cullen painted in a corner so that Wayne gets his way.
Don't fool yourselves into thinking that Wayne stays in the background simply because he doesn't play the media game. He uses the media exactly when he wants to. He often could end a lot of speculation with a few well placed words, but he won't do that if it doesn't benefit him.
And anyone who buys the "I didn't join the Roosters because they leaked it to the media" is kidding themselves. That one thing alone wouldn't turn the deal sour, but it was probably on top of a bunch of other things, and proved to him that it would be Politis etc running the show, not him. While over at Saints he had the chance to work with Doust, who was desperate for someone to save his job and would easily do everything that Wayne wanted.
You may love him because he is a great coach, but don't delude yourself into thinking that the sun shines out his backside.
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