Bennett seemed to have had a pretty big shift in attitude after Alex Mckinnion. He always supported his players but after that he seemed to be more about providing good lives to young men from troubled backgrounds, and making sure they are getting as much from the game emotionally and financially as possible. He seems like he no longer cares about on field legacy and cares far more about how many young men he can assist to take full advantage of the opportunities the NRL provides off of the field with little regard to what happens on it.
Really this might make him an even better bloke than I once considered him but it does not make for a successful team culture or foster on field success. It’s a nightmare to front office and a headache for fans. Can’t say I blame him though, how many players must he have witnessed be chewed up and spat out from the intrinsic harshness of professional sport. He has witnessed himself and players be consistently trashed by unethical media, and knows better than anyone the fickleness of fans. Why wouldn’t you try to rinse the system for all that you can for yourself and the disadvantaged young men who everyone turns their backs on the second they stop playing well.
because I am a fan of the sport and want our team to do well, I’m very glad Bennett left but in playing devils advocate, if I put myself in a players shoes and think of the NRL as just another job, i can appreciate him from this perspective.
