Hasler and the Dogs - What happened?

[KeepingTheFaith]

What has happened indeed?

http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/...connect-with-his-players-20170225-gulbz8.html

Wayne Bennett has worn out his welcome in Brisbane just a year into his second coming, with increasing talk he has lost connection with the playing group and is at war with the local media.

Bennett has told leading media figures he won't be doing any interviews this year and will only front up at designated all-in sessions that the NRL requires him to attend.

Bennett feels he has been burnt by the Brisbane media, and it relates to the breakdown of his marriage and his new relationship. The local media went hard – when most outlets gave the story a wide berth – at least initially. Bennett has always had a difficult relationship with the media, but it hasn't adversely affected his coaching. But it could get personal now, and the media is well aware of the location of his new multi-million-dollar home.

You get the distinct feeling it's gloves off. It will be very interesting to see if Bennett's stance drips into the playing ranks. Bennett has been attacked before and used it to his advantage. He likes to become the story to protect his players. It's part of what makes him a great coach.

But the concern is that one of his strengths – his ability to connect with his players – is dissipating. Sources close to the playing group say this is the case.

The players admired Bennett because they knew where he stood. That has been eroded. Bennett has always been aware of how he wants to be perceived and the mystique he likes to project. And even though he gives the impression that he is not bothered by the perception of others, he is very aware of it.

Bennett lost a great mate and trusted advisor in Ron Massey last year. Massey was one of his true friends and someone Bennett listened to. There is a concern that Bennett is rudderless and some in the rugby league fraternity are wondering if he is in danger of withering on the coaching vine.

Close friends have distanced themselves from the master coach. Bennett has made a career out of proving people wrong.

 

[DiegoNT]

Close friends have distanced themselves from the master coach. Bennett has made a career out of proving people wrong.

This is definitely true. Remember all the commentators saying Bennett's signing will bring instant success to the Knights and make them a powerhouse

 

[Hutty1986]

IBM did you sort out this hacking business? I have not slept a wink since you first dropped the bombshell.

 

[AJB1102]

IBM did you sort out this hacking business? I have not slept a wink since you first dropped the bombshell.

I've been keeping a franga over the aerial on my modem ever since just in case

 

[TheFrog]

This is definitely true. Remember all the commentators saying Bennett's signing will bring instant success to the Knights and make them a powerhouse

They were a powerhouse under Bennett for a fleeting moment, making a GF qualifier. But it was more to do with bringing Bedsy and Gower into the joint than Benny.

 

[El Diablo]

he's never recovered from the loss of Andrew Gee

 

[9701]

Pretty much spot on here....without a decent 7 or 9 we will remain around mid table. For mine Reynolds needs to move to hooker, Mbye to 5/8 and we need to find a decent half with a kicking game.

Goal kicking is also an issue, Kerrod Holland hasn't cemented a FG spot and Mbye is average at best.

Can we interest you in a Goal Kicking Half?

 

[Barkley]

Can we interest you in a Goal Kicking Half?

I'd take him back, but not for what you paid for him.

 

[some11]

Does anyone else's blood pressure skyrocket watching the Bulldogs play?

Take a f**king risk for once in attack, f**k!

 

[KeepingTheFaith]

Does anyone else's blood pressure skyrocket watching the Bulldogs play?

Take a f**king risk for once in attack, f**k!

Does high blood pressure feel like being in a coma with your eyes open? If so then yes.

 

[some11]

I hate the Dogs but I get so frustrated watching them with ball in hand, they're just so pedestrian.

 

[I Bleed Maroon]

 

[OzDragon]

Does anyone else's blood pressure skyrocket watching the Bulldogs play?

Take a f**king risk for once in attack, f**k!

Try being a Dragons fan...

 

[dogz08]

hopefully he'll be the dragons problem soon

 

[Grapple]

At times like these, you gotta remember your strengths. We are hands down the best in the NRL at running the ball sideways, and probably the shining light in this comp when it comes down to poor 5th tackle options. No other club can match us when it comes to being this consistently boring to watch, year after year, and that takes a lot of bloody hard work and discipline to stay the same when every other team around you is developing their attack and changing their squad with exciting young talent. Tonight we really stood up and successfully showed the rest of the NRL that we're not interested in your disciplined and exciting brand of footy, and you can bloody well expect more of the same in the coming weeks as we continue to not develop. Well done, boys.

 

[Nice Beaver]

he's never recovered from the loss of Andrew Gee

Andrew is taking care of the financial side of the marriage split for Wayne.

He got dis.

 

[ek999]

There is no leadership from hooker or the halves. Get someone to steer them team around the park and they would be one of the best teams in the comp. at the moment it is disjointed and slow

 

[txta2]

Ever since they got rid of Ennis the joint has fallen apart

 

[dogz08]

we looked ok when we had mbye 6, hodkinson 7 & cook 9

 

[Timmah]

LOL a 12-6 loss to the Storm in a monsoon, jesus. Calm down.