The Wayne Bennett Super thread!

[Anonymous person]

I said IF....

The Whitchurch selection was already one stupid selection. Same with reed and maranta. Same with not picking vidot. If he picked vidot at prop like was rumoured it would have been another.

 

[Morkel]

I said IF....

The Whitchurch selection was already one stupid selection. Same with reed and maranta. Same with not picking vidot. If he picked vidot at prop like was rumoured it would have been another.

Or, perhaps, an experiment to see who can be used where, effectively, tested in a real game scenario. I don't think it would be a long term thing if it Whitchurched. So which is it? Give players a chance for an extended period, despite derping it up? Or not bother, or give them one 10 minute stint, and red pen it immediately?

 

[broncos4life]

Or, perhaps, an experiment to see who can be used where, effectively, tested in a real game scenario. I don't think it would be a long term thing if it Whitchurched. So which is it? Give players a chance for an extended period, despite derping it up? Or not bother, or give them one 10 minute stint, and red pen it immediately?

It is the opposite of whatever bennett does, it amazes me that people still reply to AP, he flat out hates everything bennett does and whenever AP is wrong he just ignores it... So what's the point?

 

[Splinter]

He is not the only one. Some just need to let go of the hatred that is eating them up. Whether we like it or not he is our coach for the next couple of years
Constructive criticsm is great but continually bringing up the same point is boring. We know their stance and don't need it bashed down our throat every single post

 

[Anonymous person]

You guys realise how hypocritical you're being? banging on about people criticizing bennett when you guys won't let anyone say a bad or even not positive thing about him without you leaping to his defense, more often than not just resorting to personal attacks? (like broncos4life just did above)

Take a look in the mirror before you claim others are the ones acting irrationally. The amount of flip flopping already done by some of you guys is insane, from "Bennett wont bring Boyd because we don't need him", "Bennett would never play a player like Reed or Maranta", "Blairs signing by the tigers is the worst signing in the history of signings", to agreeing with every one of those things and saying theyre the best decisions in the world.

I don't hate Bennett. I just don't think he's a good coach anymore, and I don't want him dragging us down with him like he did at Newcastle and like he did for most of the 2000's. His gameplans are outdated, his selections are often mind boggling and very rarely work out, he plays favourites with players and can't be objective with those favourites, and he is too stubborn to admit when he is wrong and sticks with his bad decisions to the detriment of the team.

Cue the "he won us 6 premierships 20 years ago so he clearly is the best coach right now" arguments.

 

[OXY-351]

You guys realise how hypocritical you're being? banging on about people criticizing bennett when you guys won't let anyone say a bad or even not positive thing about him without you leaping to his defense, more often than not just resorting to personal attacks? (like broncos4life just did above)

Take a look in the mirror before you claim others are the ones acting irrationally. The amount of flip flopping already done by some of you guys is insane, from "Bennett wont bring Boyd because we don't need him", "Bennett would never play a player like Reed or Maranta", "Blairs signing by the tigers is the worst signing in the history of signings", to agreeing with every one of those things and saying theyre the best decisions in the world.

I don't hate Bennett. I just don't think he's a good coach anymore, and I don't want him dragging us down with him like he did at Newcastle and like he did for most of the 2000's. His gameplans are outdated, his selections are often mind boggling and very rarely work out, he plays favourites with players and can't be objective with those favourites, and he is too stubborn to admit when he is wrong and sticks with his bad decisions to the detriment of the team.

Cue the "he won us 6 premierships 20 years ago so he clearly is the best coach right now" arguments.

Out of interest, what result this year would you consider that Bennett has done a good job? Top 4, GF, Premierhsip? Is there anything Bennett could achieve this year with this team that at the end of the year you'd be satisfied with what he's done and give him credit for it? Or even if he won the premiership would it be 2010 all over again where everything else but Bennett had an impact on the result?

I'm sure all coaches in the game have their good and bad points. Some people just choose to concentrate on the bad points of certain coaches and the good points of other coaches.

 

[Morkel]

You guys realise how hypocritical you're being? banging on about people criticizing bennett when you guys won't let anyone say a bad or even not positive thing about him without you leaping to his defense, more often than not just resorting to personal attacks? (like broncos4life just did above)

Take a look in the mirror before you claim others are the ones acting irrationally. The amount of flip flopping already done by some of you guys is insane, from "Bennett wont bring Boyd because we don't need him", "Bennett would never play a player like Reed or Maranta", "Blairs signing by the tigers is the worst signing in the history of signings", to agreeing with every one of those things and saying theyre the best decisions in the world.

I don't hate Bennett. I just don't think he's a good coach anymore, and I don't want him dragging us down with him like he did at Newcastle and like he did for most of the 2000's. His gameplans are outdated, his selections are often mind boggling and very rarely work out, he plays favourites with players and can't be objective with those favourites, and he is too stubborn to admit when he is wrong and sticks with his bad decisions to the detriment of the team.

Cue the "he won us 6 premierships 20 years ago so he clearly is the best coach right now" arguments.

Fact: Wayne Bennett is a better coach than any one of us.
Fact: Wayne Bennett knows more about the players than us.
Forgive us for not berating him, and actually discussing what the motivations are behind each move. Because, strangely enough, there is most likely a reasonable explanation behind every move that you or I don't entirely agree with on face value.

 

[Anonymous person]

Fact: Henjak/Griffin is a better coach than any one of us.
Fact: Henjak/Griffin knows more about the players than us.
Forgive us for not berating him, and actually discussing what the motivations are behind each move. Because, strangely enough, there is most likely a reasonable explanation behind every move that you or I don't entirely agree with on face value.

See the problem? You guys were berating our last 2 coaches for some of the same things you're now applauding Bennett for doing.

 

[Porthoz]

We're all armchair coaches. Pretty much each one of us has their own opinion on whom should play where, according to which tactic, and that is pretty much BHQ's reason to exist.

Arguing the coach knows better is pointless. Very few of us follow the players and training close enough to justify and validate our views any better.

 

[Morkel]

Fact: Henjak/Griffin is a better coach than any one of us.
Fact: Henjak/Griffin knows more about the players than us.
Forgive us for not berating him, and actually discussing what the motivations are behind each move. Because, strangely enough, there is most likely a reasonable explanation behind every move that you or I don't entirely agree with on face value.

See the problem? You guys were berating our last 2 coaches for some of the same things you're now applauding Bennett for doing.

After one game?

 

[Big Pete]

If both sides can recognise what the other is doing is wrong, then why actively engage in bad behaviour?

I don't get it. There are some bright people on this forum but the way some of you justify your behaviour is purely childish.

'One side says that Bennett can do no wrong, so I'm going to say that Bennett can do no right'

It doesn't get anyone anywhere.

I've got no problem with anybody having a take as long as they're being reasonable and they don't actively root against the team or revel in their failures.

OXY asked a great question, instead of ignoring it and bickering with one another, why don't people answer it?

For me, a good job this year for Bennett would be a Top 4 finish with a finals win to boot. No good qualifying for September if you're making up the numbers.

However, in order for this stint to be succesful, Wayne must win a premiership and must leave this club in better shape than he found it. Before he arrived, we finished 8th and looked to be on the improve. If we're down on that mark, then Wayne's return to Brisbane was a flop.

 

[Anonymous person]

After one game?

Did he choose the much maligned Reed and Maranta in his squad in that one game? yes. Griffin copped shit every week of the year for doing that. Bennett gets praised.

Out of interest, what result this year would you consider that Bennett has done a good job? Top 4, GF, Premierhsip? Is there anything Bennett could achieve this year with this team that at the end of the year you'd be satisfied with what he's done and give him credit for it? Or even if he won the premiership would it be 2010 all over again where everything else but Bennett had an impact on the result?

I'm sure all coaches in the game have their good and bad points. Some people just choose to concentrate on the bad points of certain coaches and the good points of other coaches.

I'd consider he has done a good job if we play differently than we did last year, for the better. We made the 8 last year, beat some top teams, played *very* well in many games, and should have made the top 4, so just making the 8 and going well doesn't cut it as Bennett deserving praise. We need to improve because of him, not just because we're one year older and wiser, for him to get credit.

I think a top 4 finish this year was always going to be what people were starting to expect before bennett was coming. We should've had it last year. If we don't make the top 4 or at least be right up there pushing for it and put up a win or 2 in the finals then I think its absolutely a failure.

If we don't get a premiership in this 3 years, and/or go backwards and he leaves us in a worse position then I'll be filthy, but not really surprised.

2010 is still a year with an asterisk next to it. Yes his team won, but they won with the actual best team taken out of contention.

 

[john1420]

Interesting selections so far by Wayne.

I'll give him credit for coming up with two selections that I don't think would have happened if Hook was in charge.

The first is demoting Sam Thaiday to the bench. Ever since Sam was made captain, it seemed like his form dropped off a cliff and he's been using his senior position as a club to hold onto his jersey. While he managed to show some good signs in 2014, there were games where he'd make silly mistakes that would put his side under pressure and he simply didn't get involved enough to justify his spot. It's only taken one game for Bennett to react and now Thaiday is under pressure to perform. Will he rise to the challenge?

Nikorima in the utility position is the other. Purely speculation on my part but the inclination I get is that he would have been used as a back-up at fullback or five eighth for either Milford or Barba. Ideally he wouldn't get a chance and he'd be looking to leave but Wayne has made it clear that he's trying to give him a shot at the top level which is good to see. Strangely, I think if Hook was to stay on, it would have been Jayden Nikorima who would have been on the bench. Hook had huge wraps on Jayden and there was word he was looking to play him as early as last year but couldn't due to age restrictions, 18 years and over.

A couple of good decisions, but I won't go over the top either. The fact of the matter is, changes had to be made after the Broncos were utterly humbled 36-6 and two of them were seemingly forced on Wayne. Outside of Gillett being promoted in favour of Thaiday, Whitchurch's omission was a no-brainer and most would argue it shouldn't have happened in the first place. Wayne really stuck his neck out for Whitchurch who was average against the Cowboys in Mackay, worse against the Warriors in Wigan and just as bad on Thursday against Souths. Not the best decision, but at least Wayne moved swiftly.

So I've got to say, so far so good from Bennett. Happy to see Thaiday demoted and honestly I really hope he answers the challenge.

Thoughts?

My thoughts are your posts are always good value

Well written, well thought through, well balanced

Appreciate you BP

 

[Morkel]

Did he choose the much maligned Reed and Maranta in his squad in that one game? yes. Griffin copped shit every week of the year for doing that. Bennett gets praised.

I don't think anyone ever praised those selections. Found a reason to justify them is probably the closest most of us got. And when the reasons suggested were along the lines of "experimenting to see who goes best" and "everyone will get their chance", even "they're the best selection to combat Souths game style" I think these are entirely reasonable hypothesis. Can you rule out those possibilities?

I'd consider he has done a good job if we play differently than we did last year, for the better. We made the 8 last year, beat some top teams, played *very* well in many games, and should have made the top 4, so just making the 8 and going well doesn't cut it as Bennett deserving praise. We need to improve because of him, not just because we're one year older and wiser, for him to get credit.

I think a top 4 finish this year was always going to be what people were starting to expect before bennett was coming. We should've had it last year. If we don't make the top 4 or at least be right up there pushing for it and put up a win or 2 in the finals then I think its absolutely a failure.

If we don't get a premiership in this 3 years, and/or go backwards and he leaves us in a worse position then I'll be filthy, but not really surprised.

2010 is still a year with an asterisk next to it. Yes his team won, but they won with the actual best team taken out of contention.

Quality reasoning and I for one agree with all of that. But I will be surprised if we end up worse for having him here, but can't rule it out completely.

 

[Nashy]

I said IF....

The Whitchurch selection was already one stupid selection. Same with reed and maranta. Same with not picking vidot. If he picked vidot at prop like was rumoured it would have been another.

What was wrong with Maranta? He was one of the better on the field for round 1.

Or, perhaps, an experiment to see who can be used where, effectively, tested in a real game scenario. I don't think it would be a long term thing if it Whitchurched. So which is it? Give players a chance for an extended period, despite derping it up? Or not bother, or give them one 10 minute stint, and red pen it immediately?

I'm not Bennett hater. But experiments? This is a professional sport, we are in our season. The time for experimenting is over. It's down to business now, you pick your best side, not your favourite.

 

[Ari Gold]

I'm very curious to know why Bennett said what he did about Joe. Maybe it was just mind games but part of me hopes he was serious about not playing him and he just changed his mind:

 

[Nashy]

I'm very curious to know why Bennett said what he did about Joe. Maybe it was just mind games but part of me hopes he was serious about not playing him and he just changed his mind:

Missed it. What did he say?

 

[Ari Gold]

Missed it. What did he say?

Earlier this year he said Joe wouldnt play first grade this year.