It’s the first round of the 2025 NRL season, and it wouldn’t feel like footy is back without a hilarious Wayne Bennett one-liner in his Rabbitohs post-match press conference.
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Bennett’s Souths outfit secured a tight 16-14 victory over the Dolphins, with halfback Jamie Humphreys delivering in only his second first grade appearance.
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The 23-year-old Sea Eagles recruit was shoehorned into the No.7 jersey after English import Lewis Dodd was suspended in the pre-season challenge.
However, Humphreys took his opportunity with both hands, kicking for 711 metres and setting up a crucial try, with Bennett being asked if he will keep his spot at halfback.
“You’ll have to read the papers on Tuesday,” Bennett said, with reporters letting out a laugh.
Bennett then labelled Humphrey’s performance “pretty good”, with Dodd now available for selection after serving his one-game ban.
“He laid on a try there late in the game when we needed a bit work, but he got the ball at the right time,” Bennett said.
Woolf downplays ’emotional’ week | 04:22
“The pass was great, so he’s only going to get better. 50 per cent of the team out there is going to get better, because they haven’t played for so long.
“He had a lot of responsibility tonight to play halfback.”
Meanwhile, centre Campbell Graham made a triumphant return to the NRL, with his last appearance coming in Round 27 of the 2023 season.
Graham was sidelined with a sternum injury last year before breaking his hand in early February, derailing a potential comeback.
However, he returned with a vengeance and came up with a number of big plays, including a try-saving tackle to deny Junior Tupou in the left corner.
Woolf downplays ’emotional’ week | 04:22
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“Everyone is the four walls are extremely proud of him, he’s had a long road. Over 500 days since he has played NRL football,” Souths captain Cody Walker said.
“But just seeing the excitement when he was running out, he was really there. He had a couple of disappointments last year where he was halfway there.
“It would have been hard for him… we’ve obviously missed him over the last couple of years.”
When asked if his team’s performance was “brave”, Bennett also responded in his typical dry fashion.
“Yeah, I thought brave is one word, courageous. Whatever terminology you want to put on it,” he responded.
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