Bennett changes his tune

THE stats don’t lie and Wayne Bennett has finally admitted defeat on yet another positional switch.

The super coach announced yesterday that the Cameron Murray edge experiment was over, for now.

Bennett switched Murray on to the left edge in season 2020 after the rising forward enjoyed a breakout year in 2019 at lock.

The move raised eyebrows and was even questioned by former Rabbitohs great Sam Burgess, and former Brisbane forward Corey Parker, who played 10 seasons under Bennett at Red Hill, called the move a “kick in the teeth” to the other forwards in the side.

Bennett revealed yesterday, however, that Murray (pictured) would switch back into the middle for tonight’s clash against Melbourne Storm.

“He’ll play in the middle this week,” the coach said.

“I think at the moment it’s the best thing for us as a team.

“He handles the edge well, but we need what he brings in the middle there ... the middles haven’t been bad, they have been competent.

“He adds a little bit to us there and we need that right now.”

Murray’s return to the middle, after being named on the left edge again on Tuesday, means Ethan Lowe will be promoted from the bench into the starting side to take Murray’s place. Liam Knight, named in the No.13, drops to the bench.

According to Fox Sports Lab, Murray’s game time has increased 10 minutes per match in 2020 compared with 2019, but his overall average run metres have dropped from 91m in 2019 to 78m in 2020.

Fatima Kdouh

Transfer your banking to Bendigo Bank and ask for your account to be linked to ´&RQQHFWHG &RPPXQLWLHV )14μ

Bendigo Bank will pay a commission to Connected Communities FNQ

(please note that this will not affect any of the benefits attached to your account)

Get your community group to apply for the Connected Communities FNQ grants