The Dolphins’ horror record since their coach Wayne Bennett signed with the Rabbitohs from next season has come under the microscope amid concerns he’s been juggling two jobs this year.
After looking like premiership threats, the Dolphins have won just three from 12 since Bennett’s deal to return to the Rabbitohs was announced back in May.
It’s been no secret that Bennett has had a bit to do with Souths this year before and after the deal was made official, with The Daily Telegraph’s Phil Rothfield writing in a column on Monday that the super coach has essentially been doing two jobs at once.
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As Rothfield reported in his column, Bennett has involved himself in a number of South Sydney related issues this season while coaching another team.
These issues have included the Rabbitohs’ signings of Dolphins Euan Aitken and Lachlan Hubner from 2025, the signing of Manly halfback Jamie Humphreys, the Latrell Mitchell white substance saga and the decision to release star hooker Damien Cook from his deal a year early.
Rothfield explained further on NRL360, believing Bennett’s attempt at “holding two jobs at once” may be a reason why the Dolphins’ season has derailed.
“When Wayne Bennett signed (with Souths) after Round 11, the Dolphins were in fourth spot with seven wins from ten games,” Rothfield said.
“Since he signed with Souths and fingerprints all over what’s happened there, preparing for next year, they’ve won three from 12 and they’re about to bomb out of the finals race.
“I defy anyone in rugby league, whether you’ve won six or seven premierships, whether you’re a supercoach, to hold down two jobs at once.
“If you’re a figurehead of a rugby league club, if you are going elsewhere next year, you just can’t do it.
“It just doesn’t happen in any working environment … The bottom line is in no workplace can you have two jobs.”
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The Australian’s Brent Read says that while the optics of it doesn’t look great, it’s not the reason why the Dolphins have imploded.
Rather, Read pointed to an issue with Bennett’s tactics at the selection table regarding the halves, who he says have regressed this year.
“I don’t have an issue with what he’s done. I don’t think the Dolphins’ issue is Wayne being distracted with Souths,” Read said.
“Their issue is that they lost Flegler who was huge for them as their forward pack is ageing
“I would say the other issue Wayne’s had is that he’s been too loyal to his halves. I think Katoa needed a break a long time ago as did Kodi Nikorima.
“He’s stuck too solid with his halves for too long.
“I understand the appearance isn’t great but what I’m saying is I don’t necessarily think the appearance is a reflection of what has happened to them. What happened to them, I think is a separate issue. There are other issues at play.
“It doesn’t look great but I don’t think he’s lost that dressing room.”
“You keep banging on about the appearance. I’ll bang on about the scoreboard. It was 48-6 (against the Storm last week),” Rothfield interjected.
“You know across the last month, they’ve given up 38 points a game.
“I’m not saying their not playing for him either but I’m saying that there is a perception there when you take on another job and when you work for your next employer, that we have to raise these issues.”
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