In the wackiest of seasons, Wayne Bennett emerges with the three Cs

As if we needed another layer of evidence to prove that 2018 is fast becoming one of the closest, weirdest and most controversial seasons in recent memory.

As one coach proves media pundits and general consensus to be incorrect, another fuels rumours with his silence and a third hosts a BBQ at the rebel base while the official function takes place on the death star, the presses run hot.

Throw in on-field action that remains unpredictable and inconsistent and the entire season has something of a Jekyll and Hyde feel about it.

It is difficult to know whether one is Arthur or Martha when it comes to tipping, form, coaching appointments or the upcoming finals.

The Dragons were world beaters early on before bumbling through the last two months and looking as effective as egg beaters in attack.

The Warriors and Sharks have moments that appear frightfully ominous to all teams, before tossing in a questionable performance, and the Panthers’ youth, when it clicks, looks capable of beating anyone.

The Melbourne Storm are renowned for their consistency. Surely they could be relied upon to return some sanity and predictability to the race home?

Recent losses to the Sharks and Rabbitohs have halted their run to top spot and all the while, a black and gold gate crasher with a concealed hip flask, hovers at the back door looking for a way into the party.

Luke Brooks of the Tigers (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)

The Roosters are the only team anywhere near predictability or consistency right now and without a loss since Round 16, where the Storm edged them by a point, look the most impressive unit in the competition.

Hence, the Thursday night clash between the injury riddled Bunnies and the headline making Broncos had the potential to play out a quirky and unusual storyline.

It lived up to the expectations of unpredictability.

A strong and disciplined South Sydney pack began the game completely out of character and sync. In an error riddled opening 25 minutes, the Broncos built an 18-0 lead before the Bunnies had even collected their minds from the team bus.

As is modern rugby league, the momentum did shift. Once the visitors began finding completed sets and taking prudent options in completing them, it was the Broncos who looked under pressure.

Tries to Richie Kenner before and after the break and a brilliant backline shift to the left that send Hymel Hunt over in the corner, had the scores level at the 54th minute.

As if the effort and energy in mounting the comeback had sapped the Rabbitohs, it was the last they would see of the Broncos’ rear bumper. Wayne Bennett’s men found three tries and 20 unanswered points to skip clear in what became a game of three phases with two significant shifts in momentum.

There was little rhyme or reason to the contest; in a game where many felt the significant losses in the Souths back line would surely hamper its realistic aspirations on the minor premiership. In reality, it was far from being as straight forward as that.

Andrew McCullough of the Broncos (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

Bennett produced a performance from his team when required, just as he has done scores of times before.

With much public and media attention suggesting the writing may well and truly be on the wall and his future destined elsewhere, Bennett was coy and classy through the week.

With nothing left to prove in football, a Broncos team now looking assured of semi-finals action and a pair of halves that finally produced the type of performance so often anticipated, Bennett can now add another ‘c’ to that list.

Cocky. He might arrogantly walk into CEO Paul White’s office Monday morning and ask for a ten year extension on his deal.

Coach Wayne Bennett looks on (AAP Image/Dave Hunt)

As if to continue a rather quirky theme, Friday night saw an attacking encounter between the Eagles and the Titans at Lottoland.

Decode attacking as meaning neither team making much of an effort in defence and subsequently playing no role in the much anticipated September action.

The Titans prevailed to the tune of 42-34, in a match over which the Eagles looked to have complete control early before the Titans ran riot and put 32 points on the home side in the second half.

It was hard to know what to make of a game in which little was at stake and the defensive effort of both teams reflected that reality.

The Storm accounted for the Eels at AAMI Park in the late Friday clash and revitalised their chances of a top two position come season’s end.

The 20-4 victory reads well on the scoresheet yet Craig Bellamy will be looking for considerable improvement as his team approaches the semi-finals.

With 2018 appearing more and more as a season of peculiarity, Bellamy and Bennett will be experiencing increasing levels of uncertainty and nervousness.

However, both squads now stalk the finals’ series and with qualification now assured for Brisbane and Melbourne, the master coaches will go to work.