All the hallmarks of Wayne Bennett were on show when St George-Illawarra upset his once beloved Broncos 25-12 in their much-hyped NRL showdown at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night. Including an underwhelming post-match response.

Bennett’s fingerprints appeared all over the Dragons’ four tries to two victory – their eighth straight win over Brisbane, extending an incredible unbeaten run since 2005.

All the characteristics of the Broncos of old were on show in front of the 42,435-strong faithful – inspired attack, in your face defence and a never say die attitude.

Unfortunately for the Brisbane faithful, they were on display by the Bennett-inspired Dragons.

And there was another Bennett trademark on offer following the stunning victory that finally ended Brisbane’s unbeaten season start – his poker face.

Bennett said little in the build-up to his first showdown against the club he helped build from scratch.

And he didn’t exactly wax lyrical after it.

No matter how hard the media tried, Bennett wouldn’t drop his guard despite soaking up enormous pre-match pressure to deliver a win at his old stomping ground.

Asked if he felt relief or satisfaction, Bennett said: “None of those.”

When pressed on what emotion he actually felt, Bennett said: “None. I am a football coach. I am doing my job.

“I am wearing a different jersey. The job is the same.”

Bennett even appeared riled when asked if any Broncos fans had sledged him when he arrived at the ground.

“Why would they do that? People have been wonderful to me. They shook me hand, wished me best of luck – I was here 21 years, I have a great rapport with the fans and nothing has changed.”

Despite the hysteria surrounding the game, Bennett said the Dragons had adopted a business as usual attitude ahead of the clash.

“It wasn’t a huge build up from our point of view. St George have won the last six or seven times they have been here so nothing has changed,” Bennett said.

“We weren’t getting too excited after the game. They enjoy playing here. It was their night.”

And Bennett had also not lost his knack for a one liner.

In another touch that no doubt irked Broncos fans, former Brisbane crowd favourite Wendell Sailor compounded the hosts’ woes with a 59th minute try – before launching into a wild celebration.

When prodded on Sailor’s carry-on which included booting the ball way into the stands, Bennett quipped: “He should be happy – he doesn’t score many.”

But Bennett was certainly seen showing emotion – and plenty of it – when the live TV coverage kept switching to him in the coach’s box.

At one stage Bennett could be seen jumping out of his seat as Brett Morris crashed over for what turned out to be the matchwinning try in the 62nd minute after Ben Hornby snatched an intercept off Darren Lockyer 20 metres from his own line.

Clearly sentiment took a back seat as Bennett lined up for the first time against the side he took to six titles and 17 straight finals campaigns in a remarkable 21 year reign.

The man who stepped into the big shoes left by Bennett – Ivan Henjak – hinted that their last round away trip to New Zealand, rather than the occasion, had drained his side.

“We looked a little bit flat. We didn’t have the energy that we had had the last three weeks,” he said.

“We didn’t match them physically. In the end we probably got what we deserved.”

Henjak did not want to harp on referee Shayne Hayne’s controversial 31st minute decision to deny Israel Folau for a knock on despite replays showing there was nothing wrong with the grounding.

“Those things are going to happen. That’s not the reason we lost the game,” he said.

Henjak also did not want to use the fact that “few guys were crook” in his backline as an excuse.

Maligned Dragons half Jamie Soward ignored weeks of negative press to inspire the gutsy win in greasy conditions.

He helped the Dragons take an 8-6 halftime lead before extending the advantage in the 48th minute by scoring off his own bomb.

Sailor slipped down the right touchline before the Dragons other winger Morris crossed.

After Lockyer gave the Broncos a sniff with a 68th minute try, fittingly it was that man Soward who put the hosts away with a field goal in the dying minutes.

© AAP 2012

Enjoy sports? Enjoy a bargain? All Sports Online has your favourite sporting brands at up to 70% off. Online only, premium quality sporting goods and merchandise at discounted prices. Get a deal now.