Wayne Bennett is second to none and that is why South Sydney have brought this great coach back to the port city to once again take the helm of the famous club.

Most recently, it was a pair of preliminary finals in 2019 and 2020, followed by a crushing defeat the following season to the Panthers in the decider. Since then, things have gone from bad to worse for the Rabbitohs under Jason Demetriou, after Bennett headed north to prepare the Dolphins for 2022.

After failing to qualify for the 2023 Finals, Cardinal and Myrtle sit 15th in the standings heading into Finals Weekend, a trajectory that could only be reversed by a great manager and technician.

Despite winning leagues and taking clubs to grand finals almost everywhere he has gone, the task of rebuilding the sinking ship at Souths looms large for the 74-year-old.

Where exactly will the big man start and what will his priorities be in the first season of a three-year deal that could be his last in the NRL?

His first port of call will be a chat with Latrell Mitchell, whose star defender’s display over the past 18 months at Souths has been evidence of poor leadership from the manager and club officials, who need to learn a lesson about how a sense of superiority can lead to a subversion of standards in a sporting organisation.

If anyone can make Mitchell sing along to a group anthem, it’s Bennett. That’s what he does best, and the game is peppered with stories of quiet words, inspiring conversations, and sincere attempts to reach out to players to make them better.

Latrell Mitchell is one of the NRL’s best players on the pitch and one of its silliest off it. (Photo: Hannah Peters/Getty Images)

His magnetism and powers of persuasion made the Dolphins competitive from the start and, true to Bennett’s story, he will take something with him when he leaves. Euan Aitken and Lachlan Hubner are heading to Souths and while Hubner’s CV is modest, Aitken has clearly impressed the Redcliffe coach.

Bennett has his picks and believes Aitken could be an asset in his bid to restore both the winning mentality and culture of the Bunnies. After discussing the Mitchell saga, that will be his next item on the agenda. Often Bennett has looked for a type of player, not just a talented player, and Aitken could be one of them.

Of course, assembling a group of men ready to back this plan will largely depend on those who remain at the club beyond 2024.

Win a Ziggy BBQ for Grand Finale Day, courtesy of Barbeques Galore! Sign up here.

Thomas Burgess and Damien Cook leave two key gaps to fill, particularly in terms of leadership, with seven empty spots currently in the squad as the home and away season draws to a close.

Rumours suggest Canterbury’s Liam Knight is on Bennett’s radar and, along with Campbell Graham, Cody Walker, Jai Arrow and Cameron Murray, he could form the basis of a leadership group that will demand higher standards in 2025.

One of Bennett’s most exciting challenges will be fixing the Rabbitohs’ spine issues, with either Siliva Havili or Peter Mamouzelos replacing the less effective Cook as a permanent hooker, while new signing Jamie Humphreys will also be looking to play at rake, while Englishman Lewis Dodd will join Cody Walker.

Bennett’s contract with Souths comes just weeks after the club lured the Englishman to Australia. It is unclear whether he would be their first choice, but with the still unproven Lachlan Ilias free to negotiate elsewhere and Dean Hawkins linked with Parramatta, Bennett’s options may be somewhat limited in his first season.

Wayne Bennett looks to be having his first Bunnies headaches in his second season at the club. (Photo: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images)

The playmaker role will be key for the Rabbitohs in 2025, with Humphreys arriving from Manly as an inexperienced but talented player with little more than a brief spell in first-division football.

The older men could work as a duo, following the structure previously favored by Bennett.

The jury will be out on Dodd when it comes to the catches, with Walker needing a better leader and organizer at his side, especially given his weaknesses in that area.

Tigers of the West

In

Parramatta Eels

NRL: Head to Head

Fri, 6 Sep 2024, 18:00

South Sydney Rabbits

In

Sydney Roosters

NRL: Head to Head

Fri, 6 Sep 2024, 20:00

St. George Illawarra Dragons

In

Canberra Raiders

NRL: Head to Head

Sat Sep 7 2024 15:00

Canterbury Bulldogs

In

North Queensland Cowboys

NRL: Head to Head

Sat Sep 7 2024 5:30 PM

Penrith Panthers

In

Gold Coast Titans

NRL: Head to Head

Sat Sep 7 2024 7:35 PM

Male Sea Eagles

In

Cronulla Sharks

NRL: Head to Head

Sun, 8 Sep 2024, 14:00

Newcastle Knights

In

Dolphins

NRL: Head to Head

Sun, 8 Sep 2024, 16:05

*Odds are correct at time of publication. Check PlayUp for the latest odds

There is a good chance you will lose.

For free and confidential help call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au

Bennett’s ultimate goal will be to win back the support of South Sydney fans, as home attendances have fallen to 14th compared to other clubs following a disappointing 2024 season.

In what could prove to be the biggest challenge of his career so far, the experienced coach will expect immediate changes in attitude and approach to tasks, a quick start and a new enthusiasm within the club.

The errant fans will be back in a heartbeat if that happens, and it would be foolish to doubt the great man. That looks like a tall order, as rebuilding usually takes more than a season or two.

If anyone can save the Rabbitohs, it will be Bennett. It will be an interesting journey.