This about sums up why Bennett is good for us!
Bennett was right to sack me: The King
By Dan Koch
September 04, 2008
IT was the most controversial decision of Wayne Bennett's tenure at Brisbane and the moment he stamped his authority over the club he has built into the game's most dominant force.
But 19 years after inaugural skipper Wally Lewis was sacked as club captain, the Team of the Century five-eighth has declared an end to any lingering hostility.
As Bennett prepares for his official farewell to Broncos fans in Friday night's match against Newcastle at Suncorp Stadium, Lewis admitted it was time to pay tribute to the outgoing coach.
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While stopping short of declaring all was forgiven for the decision to replace him with close friend Gene Miles before the start of the Broncos' third season, Lewis acknowledged history had proven Bennett right.
"Wayne was relied upon heavily in the early days when he used to speak about building the club from the ground up," Lewis said.
"There have certainly been some tough times -- for me and for several other players -- when we didn't agree with him and the decisions he made. But, looking back, you have to admit while the decisions he has made you may not have agreed with at the time, they probably were for the long-term benefit of the Broncos.
"They have become such a wonderful and powerful club. They are respected throughout the world and he is a big reason for that."
Lewis is not the only player left feeling burned by Bennett's unwavering will to succeed.
There remains angst between Bennett and former skipper Gorden Tallis over his treatment in the lead-up to his retirement.
Gold Coast skipper Scott Prince was also left disappointed when Bennett refused to guarantee him a place in the side at the end of 2003, and he left to link with the Wests Tigers.
Then there was Bennett's decision to dump club legends Kevin Walters and Glenn Lazarus and Queensland State of Origin full-back Gary Belcher from his coaching staff at the end of 2005. Only Walters has mended his relationship with Bennett.
While Bennett has a reputation as being a father figure to many of his players, Lewis said the trait that separated Bennett from many other coaches was his ability to make the tough calls.
"He's had some tough decisions to make and he hasn't worried if he had to upset some people along the way. He made them in the best interests of the club," Lewis said.
"As a coach, he is not in a position to look back at the career of particular players.
"He is there for the success of the club -- that's what is important. Wayne isn't someone who will stand outside next to his letterbox to see how many Christmas cards he gets from past players.
"But when you measure the role he has had in the overall success of the Broncos club, you're talking about setting a fairly high marker."
Lewis and Broncos chief executive Bruno Cullen were on hand Wednesday to unveil a special ARL Centenary Plaque which recognised Suncorp Stadium as a historic site for the game.
Cullen said he was hoping for a crowd of at least 35,000 for Bennett's official farewell. The club will also celebrate retiring lock Tonie Carroll and full-back Karmichael Hunt's 100th game.
