The South Sydney versus Brisbane clash at ANZ Stadium was billed as the game of the season, but Wayne Bennett turned it into one-way 38-6 traffic, trampling the visitors with six tries to one.
In the process, Souths went to the top of the NRL table, boasting the biggest differential in points for and against of 81.
Halfback Adam Reynolds is top of the points-scorers – 70, over Rooster Latrell Mitchell’s 69 – and top of the goal-kickers with 33 (over Mitchell’s 28).
And to complete the positive picture, Cody Walker’s double last night took him to the top of the try-scorers, with nine, over Bronco Corey Oates’ eight.
Bennett turned the coaching swap of the year into a heavyweight-bantamweight rout.
Last year, Anthony Seibold coached the Bunnies into the playoffs on debut to earn the coveted Dally M coach of the year award.
When Bennett was sacked via voicemail as Broncos coach, after winning six premierships through 627 games, the two clipboard holders swapped clubs.
After eight rounds, Bennett has won seven, Seibold two.
And judging by last night, the younger man has a mountain to climb to even be competitive, let alone pocket two points.
He was forced into playing 18-year-old halfback Tom Dearden on debut, while skipper Darius Boyd played his 300th.
Dearden was five when Boyd debuted with the Broncos in 2006, yet the blond-haired youngster proved he’s a mighty tough competitor, despite having precious little protection from his forwards.
Dearden will make it, but Seibold must be anxious about the form of his senior players.
Bennett has no such worries, even to the point where he smiled in the coaches box during the game.
Most coaches would feel the pinch when a world-class footballer like Greg Inglis hangs up his boots far earlier than expected.
Not Wayne Bennett.
He has a captain in Sam Burgess who is not only in career-best form, but grows an extra leg leading from the front.
Sam Burgess (Photo by Will Russell/Getty Images)
It helps Burgess that Bennett has coached him for England, so they had a solid, stand-up start.
But the skipper has in-form supports, second to none.
Hooker Damien Cook is always dangerous in attack, but also made 47 tackles last night.
‘Little’ bother Tom Burgess ran 216 destructive metres in half a game, while Reynolds ran 70 metres for an intercept try, plus landed seven goals for an 18-point haul.
Throw in the likes of Alex Johnston, Dane Gagai and John Sutton, ageless at 34, and the Bunnies are off and running.
Three try-scorers last night imitated Inglis’ goanna crawl after touching down, but not Sutton. It was more like a very old alligator – but then he’s a rugby league senior citizen.
At 69 nobody is more senior than Wayne Bennett, and he has many more years to show why he’s still one of the best in the business.
And, in time, to become a deserved rugby league Immortal.
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
I agree 100% Paul. The title, "Benny's Bunnies belt Broncos" has ZERO relevance to this ongoing worn out argument that keeps popping up on stories like a Viet Cong surprise attack. The game has been about the players and the players only since the games' inception and that is not about to change no matter how many stories are hijacked to push a dead argument.
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
OR James Roberts wanted out but Seibold and White denied his request as they have BOTH gone on record to confirm that Roberts would not be granted a release, so checkmate Jimmy. Hence "the Jet's" below par performance on Thursday night and possibly the reason for Darius Boyd's lack of interest of late as well.
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
David, I have argued this with you before. Journalists, writers and broadcasters have their own awards. That should suffice unless you want to give the players media awards for "the best post-match interview" or an "Oscar" to Cam Smith for the best actor in the NRL? Certainly referee Greg "Hollywood" Hartley could be up for a "Tony Award" after some of his dramatic song and dance routines on the field. Some of the more ridiculous refereeing decisions could be in the running for "the Sportsbet award". Finally, "the Overstepping the Line" award can be presented posthumously to Darcy Lawler for his role in the 1962 Test match between Australia and Great Britain. Lawler may also have been eligible for "the Man of the Match" award after two crucial actions late in the game gave Australia a narrow 17 - 16 victory. Firstly, Lawler ignored a blatantly forward pass by Bill Carson and awarded a try to Ken Irvine who scored in the corner. Then, when Irvine had lined up the kick to win the match and was about to attempt the goal Lawler gave Irvine some crucial advice which was highly inappropriate for an impartial official. Lawler advised Irvine that he had placed the ball incorrectly and would likely miss the conversion attempt unless he adjusted the placement of the ball as Lawler suggested. Irvine adjusted the ball as advised and then kicked the match winning goal from the sideline. Lawler spoke about this himself and defended the veracity of this story until his death in 2004. On second thoughts, perhaps it's best that we don't look too closely at past refereeing performances and the Greg Hartley repeat 7 tackle set that ended in a semi-final winning try against the Eels ON THE SEVENTH TACKLE in 1978. Somehow Hartley managed to control the majority of Manly's finals matches in the Sea Eagles run to the 1978 premiership. The week following the Eels win Manly played the Magpies and Hartley again influenced the result controversially disallowing TWO Magpies tries to hand Manly a 14 - 7 win. There are some things David, though never forgotten, should never be celebrated either.
Paul
Roar Guru
I and tens of thousands of others would vehemently disagree with you David. Were the NRL to float the idea of awarding Immortality status to thee types of individuals, the outcry against would far outweigh any nods of approval, IMO. I agree all deserve recognition, especially Messers Hyde & Pearce, but HoF status is sufficient. This is obviously another "agree to disagree" moment David. You're clearly set in your opinion (which is fine), as am I.
David Lord
Expert
Paul, your last six words are the key - Immortals should be the absolute best servants of this game over Hall of Famers. Having the privilege of knowing both Frank Hyde, and Col Pearce well for many years, they wouldn't have laughed at the ultimate recognition, but been chuffed. And you can add Ray Warren to the outstanding list.
Paul
Roar Guru
Vehemently disagree David. The NRL, for what ever reason, has chosen to acknowledge some players as being a higher standard than others and classed them as Immortal. The players are the game and the rest are important, but lesser pieces in the sport. By all means, make them HoF recipients, but to suggest a Moore or a Quale should rate the same as a Beetson or a Lewis is simply wrong in my view. Frank Hyde, that doyen of League radio calling would be another who would rate as a HoF candidate. I'd bet dollars he and Col Pearce would laugh at you if you suggested they should be included with the absolute best players of this game.
Farmer Geddon
Guest
Also John Ribot de Bresac for his " vision " and his selfless attitude to the game.
JOHN ALLAN
Guest
Made as many tackles as Alfie.
David Lord
Expert
Totally disagree Paul, rugby league isn't all about the players, there are coaches, referees, and administrators who have played just as big a role in promoting and making the 13-man code as popular as it is today. The standouts are coaches Wayne Bennett and Jack Gibson, referees Darcy Lawler, Col Pearce, and Bill Harrigan, with administrators Ken Arthurson, Peter Moore, and John Quayle - all deserving of rugby league Immortality.
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
Agreed. Nothing stopping them working their way to the sideline and having a nip if they need it. Extra man on the field is poor form and a bad look for the game.
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
Yeah, I noticed that. Just before playing Souths. I wanted to wait a bit and see if the rumour had legs before writing it off as a destablising headline but you might be right. If it dies over the next week then one can wonder about this latest tactic in the NRL battles. Too co-incidental for me ...
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
Out of the frying pan into the fire for BOTH coaches in that case.
Jacko
Guest
LOL....I hear Siebold is going to swap with Cleary......
Tommo
Guest
As someone who was at the game, one would think the halves would have had more direction with Alfie barking orders from directly behind them. At times he was so close it looked like he was about to shove the first receiver out of the way and have a crack himself. Didn't the NRL say at the start of the year they were going to crack down on this? At one stage he nearly got tackled when the Broncos spilt the ball.
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
I couldn't agree more and if you start up a cyber-petition I will sign it. ;-)
Rellum
Roar Guru
There is no need for any runner to be on the field at any time. Football(soccer) is far more aerobic a sport and they don't have the, League doesn't need them either. There are so many stoppages already for them to have a drink.
Rellum
Roar Guru
Just like Roberts was suddenly moving to Sydney this week as well.
Harvey Wilson
Roar Rookie
Boyd has his 300 and his glory...time to put him out to pasture now, he is a passenger.
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
LOL... have you noticed that since the Roosters had that tasty media angle released just before they played Broncos - there hasn't been a word about TPJ and a mill from the chooks?? Brilliant media and player ego manipulation...
RandyM
Guest
Broncos goal line defence was embarrassing a times last night. Never seen that club have such poor goal line defence before, maybe during the Henjak years.