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We’ve seen players inducted as rugby league immortals, the likes of Clive Churchill, Graeme Langlands, Artie Beetson, Wally Lewis and Andrew Johns.
But there has never been a coach that has been considered for induction.
There has certainly been some legitimate candidates, the likes of Churchill, Ron Massey, Phil Gould, Tim Sheens, Warren Ryan, Chris Anderson and Jack Gibson.
But, in my humble opinion, the man who should be on top of the list is Wayne Bennett.
Yes, I am a New South Welshman saying this about a Queenslander, but when you look at his credentials, you can see what I mean.
He has been to grand finals with three different clubs (Canberra in 1987, Brisbane in 1992, 93, 97, 98 (Super League), 2000 and 2006 and St. George-Illawarra in 2010), coached Queensland to State of Origin glory and the Australian Kangaroos to World Cup victory.
He has seen numerous great players receive the benefit of his extraordinary calming tuition, including two immortals (Lewis and Meninga) and the greatest Origin coach ever (Meninga as well).
The most successful rugby league coach of the modern era in Craig Bellamy was once one of his assistants.
His success and influence go beyond that of the footy field as well. He has developed some great young talent to become even greater, like Darren Lockyer, Shane Webcke, Petero Civoniceva, Allan Langer, Glen Lazarus, Wendell Sailor and Justin Hodges.
Where would rugby league be in the Sunshine State be without Bennett?
When you look back on all of this, it’s hard to believe that he was just a humble police officer beforehand and never made his way into first grade as a player.
He played for clubs like Warwick and Brisbane Souths in the Queensland State Competition. He did play in a World Cup for the Kangaroos, but didn’t play in any Tests for Australia.
This makes his achievements as a coach all the more remarkable.
As they say, stats don’t lie.
His record puts him up there with Brian Goorjian, Ric Charlesworth, Carrie Graf and Ange Postecoglou as our most successful and influential sports coaches ever.
All in all, if there was to be a coach inducted as an immortal, the great ‘Benny’ should be the one.
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