The Serve

The genius of two coaches

Paul Roos and Wayne Bennett. Not a likely pairing. One is young, charismatic and handsome. The other one is Wayne Bennett.

Recently this unlikely duo have had a lot in common. Both have terrific teams. Both have had underperforming teams. Both knew they needed to ruffle up the media. Different purposes, same result.

The mild mannered Roos rang the warning bells a fortnight ago after the Swans lost to St.Kilda. Sydney were left at 3 and 4. Nothing catastrophic, especially given the Swans history as a slow starting team. However Roos talked openly to the media about the age of his side. He publicly questioned whether the glorious run was over.

Wow, this was serious.

Bennett found the headlines by treating last Monday’s press conference like a trip to the dentist. His curt handling of the media ensured he became the story and not his struggling team. This isn’t a first. Phil Gould pointed out the habit weeks ago. The Broncos were 3 and 7, a lamentable position considering the Origin roadblocks ahead. Brisbane had scored 22 points in three games but no-one said a word. Bennett was enemy number one.

Result: The Swans hit back with two crushing wins over quality opposition, while the Broncos racked up a cricket score.

Genius.

Sydney clearly aren’t long in the tooth, yet, and obviously needed inspiration. The coach called their bluff and they showed their hands.

The Broncos played with a freedom not associated with a team near the bottom of the table. Bennett used the Sunday papers to apologise for his actions. By then it didn’t matter. His Monday invective had served its purpose.

The best coaches are not the ones that necessarily have the best x’s and o’s. They are the ones that can work their players, by any means necessary. Stories of Bennett as Queensland coach ringing former hardman Greg Dowling and getting him to bag Maroon forwards in the media are legendary.

Bennett isn’t a six time grand final winner and Roos a two time grand final coach for nothing.