Bennett wants the deal with Bunnies to be completed quickly

On By Vaseline

Joel Gould |

Wayne Bennett doesn't want him heading back to Souths to distract his Dolphins.
Wayne Bennett doesn’t want him heading back to Souths to distract his Dolphins.

Wayne Bennett is keen to get his next coaching appointment completed quickly as he prepares to ramp up negotiations for a South Sydney homecoming.

The 74-year-old Dolphins coach confirmed on Friday he would speak to the Rabbitohs in more detail about replacing sacked coach Jason Demetriou after his side’s away game with North Queensland on Saturday.

In the past, Bennett has been courted by several clubs while he was out of contract. That is not the case at the moment, as Souths’ only current vacancy in 2025 is for a head coach.

Although he said he was in “no rush”, he does not want his future as coach to be a distraction to his players in their quest to reach the final.

“I told the players what was going on because I knew it doesn’t work, don’t talk,” he said.

“They all come here from other clubs, so they all understand it. I want to get it out of the way as quickly as possible so we can all move on and there are no distractions.

“We’ll see where it goes. It could happen tomorrow. I just have to make sure I feel comfortable with what I’m doing and that (Souths) feel comfortable with me. We have to talk.”

Wayne Bennett.
Wayne Bennett gives some advice to his Dolphins team during practice. (Darren England/MONKEY PHOTOS)

Bennett’s wishes echo those of Rabbitohs chief executive Blake Solly, who said this week he hoped the next coach would be appointed “in weeks, not months”.

It has been reported that Bennett has contacted Parramatta through a third party, with head coach Brad Arthur under pressure after a disappointing start to the season.

‘I don’t know anything about Parramatta. I don’t know where that came from,” Bennett said.

Bennett said his desire to continue coaching in the NRL was still strong.

“If I didn’t think I had something to offer… I wouldn’t do it. That’s not the case with me,” he said.

“I’d rather do something and make a contribution. I care deeply about the game and its people. If I can help and improve a club, then that is what motivates and drives me.

“(Coaching) gives me something to do. I don’t want to sit at home twiddling my thumbs and being bored to death.”

MONKEY