Brisbane Broncos coach Wayne Bennett attacked the press last week, which of course is nothing new, but this time the media has struck a raw nerve and Bennett has responded emotionally in a way that is rare for him.
Wayne Bennett rhetorically asked the media why they hadn’t written more about Matthew Lodge 18 months earlier, before he had signed for the Broncos, accusing the press of stirring up trouble.
I personally think that Matthew Lodge should be given a chance, but there are many rugby league fans and people in general who think differently. They are entitled to express their views.
The Broncos vs North Queensland Cowboys match was extraordinary, and the Broncos pulled off an upset largely due to the efforts of Tevita Pangai Junior, who Wayne Bennett claimed in the press conference was at the Broncos only because of him.
Bennett’s claim may well be true, but Tevita Pangai Junior is off contract this year, and whether he stays a Bronco or not may depend on factors other than Wayne Bennett.
(Matt King/Getty Images)
The Dragons, with their long-term million-dollar offer for Ben Hunt, have changed the playing field probably forever, resulting in the off-season halves shuffle as well as many other moves for big money for the players and their families.
Remember that very few league players make 100 NRL games and earn big money. For most playing league results in starting a new career at a time men of the same age are already well advanced in that career.
Club loyalties are being challenged by many factors, including money, and there are many loyal club players who despite this have seen their positions taken by players from other clubs on bigger money, so that loyalty needs to be a two-way street.
Another factor in play in some cases is the world cup experience gained by players of Pacific origin and others in the off-season. Tevita Pangai Junior gained experience and confidence playing for Tonga in the World Cup, and it is unlikely that giving up fast food is the only factor in his progress this year.
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Last year the Broncos lost many players, including Ben Hunt, Jai Arrow and Herman Ese’ese. They are now all top starting players in their teams rather than, in some cases, bench players at the Broncos.
If the press struck a raw nerve with Wayne Bennett, then maybe that is because Bennett is now aware of the severe erosion to the Broncos playing strength this year which, despite the win against the Cowboys, will necessarily impact severely on the Broncos as the season progresses and injuries, such as Jordan Kahu’s broken jaw, take their toll.
Coach Bennett needs to appreciate that the press is not trying to persecute him or the Broncos. The press is entitled to ask questions, and it does so only because the questions are perceived to be of interest to NRL fans.
It is now clear that Wayne Bennett only puts up with the post-match press conference because he is forced to by the Broncos club and the NRL. He can choose to answer or not, but he will have to answer to the Broncos club and fans.
1st&10
Guest
Lodge shouldn't be allowed anywhere near a footy field Police officer mummy and daddy did pamper him with his behaviour as a youngster. The incident in the USA was the culmination of many incidents When I think of Grub league players, I think of Dallas Donnelly spitting at a TV reporter, Hoppa and his sexual assaults of his fellow players. I now add Lodge to the list and another black eye for the game and the weak admin that controls it @LODGE - Get out of the game
Malo
Guest
Bennett is the biggest hypocrite in the nrl. So qld centric with no morals.
no one in particular
Roar Guru
Bennett makes money for the Broncos Bennett stories sell newspapers, are click bait and get viewers Bennett makes News money
John
Guest
It's great to see Bennett's media tactics working like a charm like they have been for the last 20+ years.Bennett does his thing to draw the media attention away from the team and put their focus squarely on him, since he couldn't give a rat's arse about what's written about him. It really highlights how much of a downward spiral the media has become for it fall for it each and every time. Can you imagine Lodge playing for any other coach under these circumstances, the amount of coverage focused on Lodge would be magnified, but Bennett as always plays the douche and takes some of that heat off Lodge.
Paul
Roar Guru
that'll be the next one for sure.
Walter Penninger
Guest
I do not disagree with what you have said, the amount claimed seems excessive and was awarded because he did not defend the civil action, hard to see how he can afford to repay over US$1M.
Paul C
Guest
Paul, Good reply, the Sydney Mafia have been "Fogging a dead horse" & now they have to move on, maybe Jarryd Hayne's case in US??
Paul
Roar Guru
This is not an isolated incident with Bennett and the press, he has done similar things over his career, so I'm not real sure why this rates an article. As for the Lodge issue, the pres is dragging this out and I'd reckon there are many in the Rugby League world who are over it. By all means, ask about it at a press conference, but it rates no more than one or two questions and move on! I too would have done a Bennett and walked out, if the only thing the media could focus on was Lodge, after a terrific game of football. Stop beating an issue to death and focus on the big picture; but that would take effort and most of our journalists these days are too lazy to do anything but follow the herd.
PNG Broncos fan88
Roar Guru
Give it a rest mate, Bennett left the Dragons almost 7 years ago. Why this obsession with him and the Broncos? His results speak for itself, the coach doesn't have to answer to us and especially not you. Better luck with Hunt and your mob making the finals, we will be waiting thereabouts as always.
i miss the force
Guest
the average aussie is on 70k and Lodge has talents that make him better paid than the least talented and educated in society.
Paul C
Guest
Walter, I have followed Rugby League for over 60 years & I have witnessed time & again the League authorities, NRL/ARL/NSWRL/QRL all buckle to the Press/Media as they have in Matthew Lodge case. Lodge had fulfilled all requirements placed on him before his return to the NRL. This is a classic case of "Trial by Media". Jarryd Hayne is having answer to a Civil Court in the US as Matthew Lodge had to, where $1.6K's was awarded against him. I will follow with great interest how the Sydney Mafi, sorry Press/Media handle his situation. Thank you for allowing me to give an opinion that may not be that of the majority of "Sydney Scribes".
jimmmy
Guest
Really the issue for Lodge is clearing up his debt. The best way to do this is for him to be playing in the NRL. The NRL should however make his registration conditional on his progress in this regard.
Mike from Tari
Guest
The Brisbane Broncos are majority owned by the Courier Mail, who also own Foxtel & Foxsport & the Courier Mail is owned by Newscorp so Wayne must be having a go at the other media outlets. Still with the Lodge case, when he signed with Redcliffe was he then put on the Broncos payroll as a tier 2 player or did they reimburse Redcliffe for his footy money, did this come under the Salary cap without approval from the NRL, makes you wonder doesn't it. Maybe all the Newscorp journos are upset that Wayne didn't let them know about his plan with Lodge.
3_Hats SSTID 2014
Roar Rookie
Personally, I think that if the bloke had shown just an ounce of remorse towards that family in the States then Lodge wouldn't be treated so harshly. Lodge, if he is on the bare minimum wage of $100k players 1 to 25 or even on $70k players 26 to 30 then he should still be contributing at least 25% of his contract money to that devastated family. What I saw in that Video makes me so mad. In my day big blokes didn't pick on smaller blokes, Lodge was twice that blokes size. Lodge, is getting far better money than the average Joe blow on the minimum wage of about $35k and they still have to pay their bills every week so why shouldn't Lodge? Garnish his wages every month, I say! Put it in a trust fund for that shattered youngster! As for the Australian Press, well maybe they should have said something 18 months ago but it is hardly newsworthy concentrating on a bloke playing in the reggies in Queensland that none of us thought would get back into the NRL. Once back in you should always expect the backlash, I suppose! He deserves everything he gets. I won't shed a tear for that great imbecile but I do for that young family!