The Rumours Thread

[Dragon David]

I’ve previously stated my thoughts on Bennett coming back. It’ll be a quick fix certainly but I’m concerned that when he’s done we’ll be back to where we’ve been for the last six years.

History shows this.

Broncos (first time) - Henjak (2009-2011,56W%) , Griffin (2011-2014, 53W%)
Dragons - Price (2012-2014, 38.3W%), McGregor (2014 - present, 47.8W%)
Knights - Buderus (2015, 33.3W%), Brown (2016-2019, 25.5%), Woolf (2019 - 2 games 50W%), O''Brien (2020 - present, 2 games 100W%)
Broncos (2nd time) - Seibold (2019-present, 48W%)

Bennett's career:
Raiders - Games 28, Win Rate 61%, Co-Coach, Premierships 0, Lost in 1987 Grand Final v Manly
Broncos - Games 631, Win Rate 64%, Premierships 6, Years
Dragons - Games 79, Win Rate 65%, Premierships 1
Knights - Games 75, Win Rate 45%, Premierships 0
Bunnies - Games 29, Win Rate 62%, Premierships ?

Bennett's career certainly took a nose dive when he coached the Knights. Doust should have had him signed for 5 years - I am deadset positive that we would have won more premierships with him including in 2011.

If he does come back to the Dragons I think that he will do wonders with the squad and our juniors and possibly bring with him some hard hitting, bruiser type forwards. Let's hope so.

If he does have success the second time around with us, who cares what happens next? We should be used to it. Lol!!!

 

[Forbes Creek Dragons]

I’ve previously stated my thoughts on Bennett coming back. It’ll be a quick fix certainly but I’m concerned that when he’s done we’ll be back to where we’ve been for the last six years.

I agree but what I will say is, we will probably be his last contract so we shouldn’t have as much of an issue with him poaching from us for his future club. Would love to see what he does with Lomax and Ramsey.

 

[getsmarty]

I agree but what I will say is, we will probably be his last contract so we shouldn’t have as much of an issue with him poaching from us for his future club. Would love to see what he does with Lomax and Ramsey.

Who did Bennett Poach ?....Boyd was always going to leave and follow Wayne. Beau Scott rang Bennett because we didn't offer him a contract...( What a mistake that was )...alex mckinnon was a Newcastle junior and if I remember correctly wanted to move back to the area. did I miss anyone ?

The other thing is , as a player you had the choice of playing under Bennett or Price...It's chalk and cheese....

 

[Craig93]

Who did Bennett Poach ?....Boyd was always going to leave and follow Wayne. Beau Scott rang Bennett because we didn't offer him a contract...( What a mistake that was )...alex mckinnon was a Newcastle junior and if I remember correctly wanted to move back to the area. did I miss anyone ?

The other thing is , as a player you had the choice of playing under Bennett or Price...It's chalk and cheese....

Jeremy Smith and Neville Costigan also went to Newcastle i believe.

 

[Eatons Hill Dragon]

Jeremy Smith and Neville Costigan also went to Newcastle i believe.

Let’s not forget our offload king, Adam Cuthbertson.

 

[BLM01]

I’ve previously stated my thoughts on Bennett coming back. It’ll be a quick fix certainly but I’m concerned that when he’s done we’ll be back to where we’ve been for the last six years.

Yep would rather hair dye Shane

 

[George Dragon]

Jeremy Smith and Neville Costigan also went to Newcastle i believe.

Costigan to Knights and Smith to Sharks first, both while Bennett was still with us.

 

[Brutalitops]

The thing I think people miss when they say Bennett is too old to coach is that a huge part of his value has nothing to do with coaching game plans and the like. His player management is second to none, be constantly receives praise from former players for how he is the best at talking to them and unlocking potential and removing self doubt. He earns respect, yet still is trusted to make tough selection decisions when needed because he keeps his authority.

Unlike Mary who only ever had respect because he was likeable at training.

 

[getsmarty]

Jeremy Smith and Neville Costigan also went to Newcastle i believe.

Again...we didn't want them or decided to keep other players ...If my memory serves me correctly, we couldn't afford smith or costigan and didn't make an offer to Beau scott.
Regardless it shows the power to attract players by Bennett........Those were the days..........

 

[getsmarty]

The thing I think people miss when they say Bennett is too old to coach is that a huge part of his value has nothing to do with coaching game plans and the like. His player management is second to none, be constantly receives praise from former players for how he is the best at talking to them and unlocking potential and removing self doubt. He earns respect, yet still is trusted to make tough selection decisions when needed because he keeps his authority.

Unlike Mary who only ever had respect because he was likeable at training.

 

[Old Kogarah Boy 1]

The thing I think people miss when they say Bennett is too old to coach is that a huge part of his value has nothing to do with coaching game plans and the like. His player management is second to none, be constantly receives praise from former players for how he is the best at talking to them and unlocking potential and removing self doubt. He earns respect, yet still is trusted to make tough selection decisions when needed because he keeps his authority.

Unlike Mary who only ever had respect because he was likeable at training.

If that .......

 

[Dragonsamy]

I agree but what I will say is, we will probably be his last contract so we shouldn’t have as much of an issue with him poaching from us for his future club. Would love to see what he does with Lomax and Ramsey.

Agree Forbes
Also Sullivan coming though

 

[Warabrook saint]

Jeremy Smith and Neville Costigan also went to Newcastle i believe.

Jeremy Smith went to Cronulla after the 2010 premiership, I think Costigan left after the premiership win also

 

[Forbes Creek Dragons]

Who did Bennett Poach ?....Boyd was always going to leave and follow Wayne. Beau Scott rang Bennett because we didn't offer him a contract...( What a mistake that was )...alex mckinnon was a Newcastle junior and if I remember correctly wanted to move back to the area. did I miss anyone ?

The other thing is , as a player you had the choice of playing under Bennett or Price...It's chalk and cheese....

I’m not blaming him, but all that Beau didn’t get offered a contract I would take with a grain of salt. I’m pretty sure no one would follow Mary even if it was to their hometown. Call it poaching or call it players wanting to play under Wayne, the result is the same. I would be shocked if he didn’t bring a player or two with him from Souths, I’m hoping Campbell Graham. Fact is this will likely be his last club so he should put a bit into ensuring we remain strong, especially if he can jag that fairytale second title with us. He will have a statue outside Kogarah.

 

[Forbes Creek Dragons]

The thing I think people miss when they say Bennett is too old to coach is that a huge part of his value has nothing to do with coaching game plans and the like. His player management is second to none, be constantly receives praise from former players for how he is the best at talking to them and unlocking potential and removing self doubt. He earns respect, yet still is trusted to make tough selection decisions when needed because he keeps his authority.

Unlike Mary who only ever had respect because he was likeable at training.

I agree, thing with having an L plater is that for all we know Mary might have good knowledge of the game and work hard as I’m sure he does but without that aura behind you when times get tough and he says just stick to the process boys trust me, people naturally start to lose faith but if Wayne says it it carries that much more weight. In saying all this that article was by Buzz so I would take it with a cask of port.

 

[Old Timer]

Jeremy Smith and Neville Costigan also went to Newcastle i believe.

Smith went to Cronulla 1st

 

[BLM01]

I’m not blaming him, but all that Beau didn’t get offered a contract I would take with a grain of salt. I’m pretty sure no one would follow Mary even if it was to their hometown. Call it poaching or call it players wanting to play under Wayne, the result is the same. I would be shocked if he didn’t bring a player or two with him from Souths, I’m hoping Campbell Graham. Fact is this will likely be his last club so he should put a bit into ensuring we remain strong, especially if he can jag that fairytale second title with us. He will have a statue outside Kogarah.

Again...we didn't want them or decided to keep other players ...If my memory serves me correctly, we couldn't afford smith or costigan and didn't make an offer to Beau scott.
Regardless it shows the power to attract players by Bennett........Those were the days..........

True 86 re Beau Scott. It was 2012. Got that directly from the horses mouth so to speak.
It was early in his last year on contract and we had not offered him a new deal. Of course he thought there was one coming but Wayne and the Knights come knocking..oops too late!...Dragons
We had choices to make retain or invest in Dan Hunt long term and Ben Creagh on new deals year after Scott left, or lose one of those and offer Beau Scott another deal.
Guess which one we took.The worst possible choice ever. Thanks Dousty, Price & Young

 

[Gareth67]

History shows this.

Broncos (first time) - Henjak (2009-2011,56W%) , Griffin (2011-2014, 53W%)
Dragons - Price (2012-2014, 38.3W%), McGregor (2014 - present, 47.8W%)
Knights - Buderus (2015, 33.3W%), Brown (2016-2019, 25.5%), Woolf (2019 - 2 games 50W%), O''Brien (2020 - present, 2 games 100W%)
Broncos (2nd time) - Seibold (2019-present, 48W%)

Bennett's career:
Raiders - Games 28, Win Rate 61%, Co-Coach, Premierships 0, Lost in 1987 Grand Final v Manly
Broncos - Games 631, Win Rate 64%, Premierships 6, Years
Dragons - Games 79, Win Rate 65%, Premierships 1
Knights - Games 75, Win Rate 45%, Premierships 0
Bunnies - Games 29, Win Rate 62%, Premierships ?

Bennett's career certainly took a nose dive when he coached the Knights. Doust should have had him signed for 5 years - I am deadset positive that we would have won more premierships with him including in 2011.

If he does come back to the Dragons I think that he will do wonders with the squad and our juniors and possibly bring with him some hard hitting, bruiser type forwards. Let's hope so.

If he does have success the second time around with us, who cares what happens next? We should be used to it. Lol!!!

My thoughts also Dragon David , as far as more Premierships are concerned. I thought that if ( if and it’s such a big word as it encompasses many possibilities ) we had been able to contain Jarred Hayne better in the semi at Kogarah Oval we would had gone on and won the silver trophy , but . . .

Also you are quite correct in Doust signing him to a longer contract than the 3 years to which they gave him . It has been suggested that that was what he , Bennett had asked for in the first instance , although Doust did attempt to resign him at the end of his term , however it was too late as the horse had already bolted to the Steel City of Newcastle.

I distinctly recall the look of misery upon Doust’s face when Bennett had his telly interview - I did feel for the man . Whether or not the original term was offered by the J.V. Board or Doust himself I have no idea , but the man was clearly disappointed.

 

[Dragon David]

My thoughts also Dragon David , as far as more Premierships are concerned. I thought that if ( if and it’s such a big word as it encompasses many possibilities ) we had been able to contain Jarred Hayne better in the semi at Kogarah Oval we would had gone on and won the silver trophy , but . . .

Also you are quite correct in Doust signing him to a longer contract than the 3 years to which they gave him . It has been suggested that that was what he , Bennett had asked for in the first instance , although Doust did attempt to resign him at the end of his term , however it was too late as the horse had already bolted to the Steel City of Newcastle.

I distinctly recall the look of misery upon Doust’s face when Bennett had his telly interview - I did feel for the man . Whether or not the original term was offered by the J.V. Board or Doust himself I have no idea , but the man was clearly disappointed.

I think that if disappointment was showing on Doust's face, it would have been the JV Board's decision to the 3 years. Similarly, it has been the Board's decision to keep Mrs McGregor's son Mary as our coach for the past 6 years. There is just no comparison or any balance to the equation as to who has been the better coach for us. Their thinking that Price followed by Mary could emulate the same results as Bennett shows that they do not have a clue and have been thoroughly poor judges in coach selection since Bennett's days at the club.

 

[getsmarty]

I think that if disappointment was showing on Doust's face, it would have been the JV Board's decision to the 3 years. Similarly, it has been the Board's decision to keep Mrs McGregor's son Mary as our coach for the past 6 years. There is just no comparison or any balance to the equation as to who has been the better coach for us. Their thinking that Price followed by Mary could emulate the same results as Bennett shows that they do not have a clue and have been thoroughly poor judges in coach selection since Bennett's days at the club.

Mind you they did try to get Bellamy and Bennett during those years..., when you miss out on the "Big fish" they settle for fish bait...

Anybody can see the obvious distance between Bellamy and Bennett and what they have persevered with. I don't buy the statement that they they were the best available choices....absolute nonsense....

During that time they could have looked at....Hasler/Maguire/Wane/Holbrook/JD/O'Brien/toovey/T.Smith....the list of candidates are there....There is more to it....I will leave it at that.