South Sydney Rabbitohs players are eager to ensure Wayne Bennett's looming return does not become a distraction throughout the second half of this season.
The club officially announced Bennett will return for a second stint as head coach on a three-year deal to commence in 2025 on Tuesday morning.
It was welcome news for Rabbitohs stars after a disastrous start to the season, with Bennett becoming a father figure for many in the team, including captain Cody Walker.
The five-eighth, however, said the side must focus on finishing 2024 well to ensure they are positioned for success when the master coach does return next year.
"Being coached by him for those few years was some of the best few years of my life," Walker said. "He was just a powerful figure, he knew what to say and when to say it.
"But again, while we're all excited and happy he's signed and it's announced and all done, he respects that we've still got a job to do, we respect he's still got a job to do. He's still the head coach of [the Dolphins] and we've still got a job to do to turn the season around.
"While we're all happy and excited, we can't lose focus on what's important and what's important is we have to turn our season around and that starts this weekend against the Parramatta Eels."
Match: Rabbitohs v Eels
Round 12 -
home Team
Rabbitohs
17th Position
away Team
Eels
14th Position
Venue: Accor Stadium, Sydney
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Bennett enjoyed considerable success during his prior three-year stint as South Sydney coach, leading the team to preliminary finals in 2019 and 2020 before they lost the 2021 NRL grand final in heartbreaking fashion in his final game in charge.
While replacement Jason Demetriou achieved early results in 2022, the Rabbitohs missed the finals in 2023 and currently sit last on the ladder with just one win from 10 games. He was replaced by interim coach Ben Hornby in round nine.
In returning to South Sydney and knocking back a late bid from the Eels, Bennett declared he had unfinished business at the Rabbitohs. It's a sentiment the players share.
"It's pretty big," winger Alex Johnston said. "We had some success with him last time, making that grand final and falling just short. It's a bit of motivation for us as players and him as a coach.
"It's unfinished business, but that's next year. First things first, we need to get this season back on track and get some wins."
Cody Walker Highlights vs. Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles
Bennett's return is likely to put a number of players on notice, with the master coach sure to take a close look at the current squad.
Nine players are off-contract at the end of this season, with a further nine signed until the end of 2025.
While they are aware Bennett is likely to make changes, Johnston said the best way to secure your future is to help the team achieve results on the field in the second half of the season.
"Everyone just wants to do their best and get us some wins," he said.
"We're not doing too well at the moment. We need to turn things around. I know personally I am going out there and doing my best for the team, whether it's scoring tries or stopping tries. If I need to take some more yardage carries, then I'll have to do it.
"Everyone wants to put their best foot forward to get some wins."
