From sworn enemy to club’s great hope

FOR years Wayne Bennett has been the man Rabbitohs fans love to hate. His appointment as coach now means he has become the man they hate to love.

Souths fans and legendary former players are bitterly divided by the appointment of the former Broncos coach, but all agree that if the greatest coach in NRL history can help them secure a premiership title then nothing else matters.

Former Rabbitoh Mark “Spud” Carroll said: “He has got a pretty good record and he doesn’t go out to come second. I would back him for a premiership 110 per cent.”

But Souths legend Bob McCarthy believes his old team does not need him.

“Frankly mate, Wayne Bennett’s missus could come down and coach the side and we would still make the semis, the side we have is that good,” he said. “But if he can give us that little bit of extra to get us the title that would be great.”

McCarthy was not impressed with how the drawnout coach swap with Rabbitohs coach Anthony Seibold was handled. It finally ended on Sunday with Bennett axed by voicemail and him jetting in to Sydney last night.

“I have never seen anything like this. It used to be about the club, not one individual,” said McCarthy.

“I don’t want to read about Wayne Bennett, I want to read about Souths the team.

“It’s not just Wayne Bennett, he is not even playing. It’s the whole team who count and when they run out they leave him on the sideline.”

Former player Craig “Tug- ger” Coleman, who was coach of the reinstated Rabbitohs in the 2002 season, said Bennett’s appointment was “fantastic”.

“He is a super coach with a fantastic track record, he will be great for Souths,” said Coleman. “He is a great fella.”

Over the course of his coaching career 68-year-old Bennett has won seven premierships with two clubs in a record 813 games.

But lifelong Rabbitohs supporter Lee Davis said: “Personally I don’t like it. Having Wayne Bennett in the club feels wrong, he is the enemy.”