Bennett explains why he axed Vidot

[Big Pete]

Broncos coach Wayne Bennett says Daniel Vidot was axed due to increased error-rate

WAYNE Bennett has warned the Broncos he will not tolerate game-changing mistakes after his shock axing of Daniel Vidot to the Intrust Super Cup.

Not even a dietary overhaul that saw Vidot strip 5kg over summer could help him dodge the selection axe for Brisbane’s season-opener against Souths at Suncorp Stadium last night.

This time last year, Vidot was playing in front of 40,000 fans as Brisbane’s in-form bargain buy. On Saturday, he was a world away, playing front-row for Ipswich against Wynnum at North Ipswich Reserve.

Vidot is said to be gutted after working harder than ever in the pre-season, even turning to a new diet to consolidate on his outstanding first season at the Broncos last year.

We don’t want to be making up the numbers, we want to be in the top echelon of teams and you can’t have players who are going to put you under pressure with mistakes
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- Attributed to...

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It is understood Brisbane’s coaching staff were concerned about Vidot’s error-rate in clutch moments, such as a fortnight ago when Wigan scored a late 80m try in their World Club Series clash in England after Vidot raced off his wing.

Bennett said the decision to drop Vidot in favour of Lachlan Maranta was a tough one.

“Dan has a few things in his game he has to get better at,’’ Bennett said. “We don’t want to be making up the numbers, we want to be in the top echelon of teams and you can’t have players who are going to put you under pressure with mistakes.’’

Asked if Vidot’s defensive lapse against Wigan was a factor, Bennett said: “That was part of it but he’s a talented player and he’ll be back.

“When he does (return), he needs to think what is important.’’

Bennett confronted Vidot with some home truths on his first day back at Red Hill, telling the 113kg winger that he needed to drop some weight to realise his full potential this season.

It was not until after Christmas that Vidot accepted the challenge fully, switching from a diet of quick trips to nearby takeaway joints to a paleo “Caveman’’ diet which created almost instant results.

Wayne said to me, I had to lose some weight. I had to take that on board and I agreed because I felt like my speed was affected.
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Vidot

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Vidot stripped almost 5kg in four weeks, suggesting he would go into the season the lightest, fastest and strongest he has been in several years.

“It’s been a pretty hard journey for me especially in the pre-season to lose that weight,” Vidot said.

“Fast foods was my biggest problem. It doesn’t help when it’s just around the corner. I’ve got a little company on board with me, making me meals that (are) beneficial for me and I’ve got nearly half of the team on it now.

“Basically it’s all paleo diet. All the healthy foods, which is something I needed to change.

“I weighed in at 109.6kg which is about 5kg off which I’m pretty happy about.

“Wayne said to me, I had to lose some weight. I had to take that on board and I agreed because I felt like my speed was affected.’’

Vidot produced an excellent effort playing half the game at prop in the Jets’ 18-16 loss to Wynnum Manly yesterday where fellow Bronco Greg Eden became the star for the Seagulls.

Eden delivered the brilliant kick for Daniel Ogden to score the matchwinning try in the final minute as the Seagulls claimed a memorable come-from-behind win.

Vidot came off the bench to play the first half in the front row and then spent the second half on the wing where he provided his usual impact with strong carries.

It was also a solid performance by former Bronco Chris Walker, who made his comeback from four years in retirement in the centres for Ipswich and looked threatening with a half break.

http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/nrl/broncos-coach-wayne-bennett-says-daniel-vidot-was-axed-due-to-increased-error-rate/story-fnp0lyn6-1227252934476

 

[Kimlo]

I'm really enjoying Bennett's openness discussing football. Griffin gave absolutely nothing away. As a fan, it's great to actually get an insight into the thought process behind the decisions.

On the article itself, a few things I like:
Vidot being dropped for bad form - sends a good message
Vidot will be back - I'm a big fan of the guy!
He got told he must lose weight - how many years since we've heard that from a Broncos coach to a player?

 

[Grimmiq]

While I do like that he was dropped to give him motivation to improve..I still don't understand choosing Whitchurch if errors are what Bennet's looking to reduce..I don't know how he plays in ISC or what goes on at training, but every game I see him play he has feet for hands.

 

[Anonymous person]

Lol dropped for errors but the error prone maranta, reed, and butterfingers Thaiday all got starting spots. Good one.

 

[Kimlo]

While I do like that he was dropped to give him motivation to improve..I still don't understand choosing Whitchurch if errors are what Bennet's looking to reduce..I don't know how he plays in ISC or what goes on at training, but every game I see him play he has feet for hands.

Fair point but whitchurch is a rookie and he genuinely might've had a bad run, he did also mention he wants to try as many guys as he can to see who's up to first grade. Vidot has played for about 5 years now? He has some absolute shockers in him, going off memory I can remember at least a few times dropping the ball over the line.

Vidot was pushing for origin selection a few years back, he's a class player and being told to lose weight and improve his game could be the kick up the butt he needs to return to the player he was. I remember him scoring long distance trys whereas last year he looked slower than most backrowers and killed golden opportunities with ridiculous mistakes.

 

[Anonymous person]

Vidot scored long range tries when he was deadset 20kg lighter. He was tiny when he played for canberra. He was good, but he is a much more valuable player to the team now IMO. He was never a particularly great winger in his lighter, younger days. Had his moments but was never consistently great.

 

[Kimlo]

I agree, I rate him highly and would have him ahead of Reed or Maranta every day of the week, but I thought he was just a bit too heavy last year. He'll still be very strong but with a bit more speed and agility he can improve under the highball and in open space to become an awesome winger for us. I'm seriously hoping he's back next week or very very soon.

 

[Grimmiq]

Fair point but whitchurch is a rookie and he genuinely might've had a bad run, he did also mention he wants to try as many guys as he can to see who's up to first grade. Vidot has played for about 5 years now? He has some absolute shockers in him, going off memory I can remember at least a few times dropping the ball over the line.

Vidot was pushing for origin selection a few years back, he's a class player and being told to lose weight and improve his game could be the kick up the butt he needs to return to the player he was. I remember him scoring long distance trys whereas last year he looked slower than most backrowers and killed golden opportunities with ridiculous mistakes.

I'd rather have someone who drops the ball over the line than someone who drops the ball inside our own 20. Think that happened, what? 3 times in 2 pre-season games for Whitchurch? Coupled with him being a turnstyle..

My main issue with this if it's true..Is Bennett told Vidot that he had to lose weight, and Vidot did..he did exactly what Bennett wanted and was still dropped, and I don't think the perfect way for Vidot to show that he can regain his speed and ability to find the line is by making him play Prop in ISC.

 

[Kimlo]

Bennett doesn't choose where he plays in the ISC. And are you surprised? This is classic Bennett tactics, when he sees a talented player he plays a few mind games to try to get the best out of them. It might backfire, it might work a charm. Vidot's attitude after being dropped is great and if this is the motivation he needs to get that extra 10% to take him to the next level, then it's well worth it to not have him for a few games.

That being said... I'd love for Thaiday to be told the exact same thing. His hit the line and drop shit pisses me off it's just plain lazy and I'm glad Bennett told him off publicly, he needs a huge kick up the arse. He's another player I genuinely hope doesn't get re-signed. I'd take 10 Gilletts over Thaiday, a player who gives absolutely everything on the field.

 

[Porthoz]

Vidot's attitude prior to being dropped was great, but he was sent to ISC nonetheless after a mistake in England, leaving Whitchurch and a few other in the team...
It may be psychological tactics, but if I was Vidot, I would be filthy to be dropped like that after doing all the work Wayne asked me to do, while others get a free ride. I hope it works...

 

[Kimlo]

Vidot's attitude prior to being dropped was great, but he was sent to ISC nonetheless after a mistake in England, leaving Whitchurch and a few other in the team...
It may be psychological tactics, but if I was Vidot, I would be filthy to be dropped like that after doing all the work Wayne asked me to do, while others get a free ride. I hope it works...

We really don't know the full story behind the scenes though, he might've been specifically challenged to not make a mistake and he still did.

I'd be pissed too, but maybe that's what Bennett is going for, get him fired up and not be too comfortable with his position in the team, probably the same reason he publicly bagged Thaiday when he could've easily dodged the question and told him in private. I think most of us agree that there's slowly been a culture of "you're probably not going to be dropped" so to combat this he needs to get a few people on their toes which will have a knock on effect of everyone else thinking they could be next.

 

[Morkel]

Think of it this way - Vidot is one that Bennett has earmarked to have a future at the club, but needed a bit of a rocket. While that happens, he's thrown in to the NRL side a few people that are on their last chances, to confirm finally whether they would sink or swim when the pressure is turned up.

 

[broncos4life]

Think of it this way - Vidot is one that Bennett has earmarked to have a future at the club, but needed a bit of a rocket. While that happens, he's thrown in to the NRL side a few people that are on their last chances, to confirm finally whether they would sink or swim when the pressure is turned up.

True.

Also, bennett treats all his players differently depending on what they need. Some players need one rocket and they will be fine, others need a few. This is tough love for Daniel and the moment but if he takes it he right way (and judging by his attitude he is) it will be well worth it

 

[Bucking Beads]

This is crazy when you consider that he put Whitchurch, Reed and Gavet in the team who seems to drop the ball at least 2 times every time they play a game. I think you guys can scrap Vidot off your team lists already.

 

[broncos4life]

This is crazy when you consider that he put Whitchurch, Reed and Gavet in the team who seems to drop the ball at least 2 times every time they play a game. I think you guys can scrap Vidot off your team lists already.

Even though bennett said he will be back?

 

[Bucking Beads]

Even though bennett said he will be back?

I'll be surprised if he does get back when the team is at full strength. I hope he does because I like Vidot and think he adds a lot to your team. Big wingers who help out the forwards are valuable in the game.

 

[broncos4life]

I'll be surprised if he does get back when the team is at full strength. I hope he does because I like Vidot and think he adds a lot to your team. Big wingers who help out the forwards are valuable in the game.

I hope he gets back too and am pretty confident he will. If bennett didn't think he could take his game to another level he wouldn't boyher challenging him, he would just tell him to look elsewhere ala barba

 

[ningnangnong]

I'll be surprised if he does get back when the team is at full strength. I hope he does because I like Vidot and think he adds a lot to your team. Big wingers who help out the forwards are valuable in the game.

Haha.