After 853 games in charge in the NRL and two weeks in isolation, even Wayne Bennett couldn’t help but gush over South Sydney’s 56-16 flogging of Manly.
Bennett insists his time in isolation hasn’t left him sentimental.
But even he had to stop for a moment on Saturday night and appreciate South Sydney’s victory.
Bennett got the perfect return gift at ANZ Stadium after his biosecurity breach, with the Rabbitohs putting in their best showing of his tenure as coach.
With both side’s season hanging on the result, Souths unleashed the best half of football Bennett said he’s ever seen from a side he coached to lead 38-0 at the break.
“It’s a great game we’ve got when you see it played that way,” he said.
“The skill level and all the stuff we see out there.
“You just feel very lucky to be a part of it and I feel that tonight. I’m very lucky to be a part of something as great as rugby league.
“I’ve spent my life in it, it’s been the love of my life and I feel blessed to see a football team play like that.”
Asked whether the two weeks had made him appreciate the game more, Bennett maintained that wasn’t the case.
“I’ve always loved rugby league,” he said.
“I’ve spent my whole life in it, given so much to it. But to see it played that way tonight was pretty special.
“It’s why people love the game and why people want to watch us.”
It was hard not to enjoy the Rabbitohs’ attack on Saturday.
They rolled Manly through the middle and time and again caught them short on the edges.
Latrell Mitchell starred with two tries and three assists, while Alex Johnston scored two tries in four minutes before being hit high and taken off.
The Rabbitohs have now scored 28 or more points for each of the past four weeks.
Next week will present the big test though, with a Parramatta side on Thursday fresh from holding Melbourne scoreless.
“They’ve played some good football this year but we can’t go in with better form than after tonight’s effort,” Bennett said.
“(Our attack) is starting to come together. It takes time.
“I always wonder why we play 24 rounds a year; when the season starts, you kind of know who are going to be the top teams.
“You play it because you need to get the timing and practice.
“Come towards the end of the season now; it’s a good time to be coming together.”
Bennett said he had no concerns over Johnston’s fitness for Thursday, while Dane Gagai could still miss with a hamstring injury suffered in training on Friday.
William Dalton Davis
Roar Rookie
Latrell Mitchell out of the headlines this season? Shirley, you can’t be serious?
steveng
Roar Rookie
That's fair enough TB but, wait until next week, we will beat the Eels as I wasn't very impressed with how the Eels beat the Storm
Rod
Guest
The reality is it’s been the forwards that have been good . The backs and our spine have been very up and down . This has meant the engine room has had to work extra hard defending there mistakes . It’s was good to see our forwards not have to defend so much . I really rate our middles , we are still a little down for edge forwards . If Murray , Sua and Siro don’t get injured we are pretty solid there
Rob
Guest
Maybe Wayne is laughing because he was able to medically retire a highly over rated and overpaid forward and improve his football team whilst Boyd is still lacing on the boots in Brisbane?
Albo
Roar Rookie
Yep ! Not sure the Bunnies in coming weeks can rely on the extent of poor opposition defence out wide as that offered up by the likes of Funa, Parker & Garrick last night .
Pickett
Roar Rookie
Bennett is good for the game. Sou ffs have got some momentum at the business end of the season.
matth
Roar Guru
It probably took Wayne back to 1992.
The Barry
Roar Guru
I had Souths missing the eight this year because of their forward depth...part about didn’t factor in some other teams well below par performances Backs and attack are obviously Souths strengths and Bennett has got them humming at the moment, but they’ve also been conceding a lot of points to lower table opposition lately They’ve been ruthless against the bottom end of the ladder but haven’t beaten a current top eight side since the Sharks in Round 1 I’ll quietly rescind my opinion about the top eight, but they have a lot to prove against the better teams that they can do anything in the post season games
souvalis
Roar Rookie
Seiboldt is the only coach being ruthlessly media bashed by Fox yet Tiger and Manly fans are justifiably livid There’s a silence around these coaches whose performances smell yet injury toll and dramas off field are far fewer. If the only thing entertainers owe is a good performance that Manly 17 is heavily in arrears.
kk
Roar Pro
The replay will become standard fare for RL educational sessions.
kk
Roar Pro
Any roster with Funa,Paseka, Keppie and Fainu (?) is bound to be top 8 more often than not.They should now make sure Tom does not return until sure of 100% recovered. All four would be ideal at Canterbury.
steveng
Roar Rookie
Great to see the Bunnies improving and going well and especially seeing Wayne smile, don’t think I’ve seen his teeth that much in 30 years in a game of footy lol its also great to see the Bunnies really putting in an effort week in and week out and improving, especially under these difficult circumstances in 2020. Didn’t see the game as I had other commitments but I didn’t expect this score. Go you Bunnies, looking good!
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
Manly seem to be bring out the best in the opposition this season at times kk , The Pennies were pretty spectacular as well against us. Although Manly are struggling I still agree with rules which lead to plenty of attack like we saw from the Bunnies and the ball sweeping along back lines to the winger.
kk
Roar Pro
Congratulations, South Sydney. Rare do we see such perfection. It was a case of 'Looky, Looky,Looky, here comes Cooky' Souths turned on a display of all that is good in the GGoA and how to utilise a possession advantage of 62% v 38%. The ball handling was superb.
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
One of the first games I ever saw live was Manly beating Souths by 56 nil , I think it was but a lot has happened since then. Latrel Mitchell has been out of the head lines this season because he is just playing footy instead of all the other nonsense. That's all he needed to do and good luck to him. As for ''kinda knowing who will be the top teams'' before the season starts. It may have an element of truth to it but did he kinda know he would be facing an injury struck Manly team in the finals last season and be very close to getting beaten? Did he know that the Pennies would be dominating the comp this season?
3 R M
Guest
Great result for the vermin as they are both very good 1st grade coaches bunnies played some good footy BB.
Tony
Roar Guru
Bennett was a indeed very lucky to be a part of last night's performance given recent events. Great result Jason Demetriou!