BENNETT HITS OUT

WAYNE Bennett has hit out at suggestions Souths can’t win the title without Latrell Mitchell

Despite finishing third, just one win behind minor premiers Melbourne, the Rabbitohs are rank outsiders with bookmakers, but Bennett is ready to lead them to grand final glory.

WAYNE Bennett has hit out at suggestions Souths can’t win the premiership without Latrell Mitchell and will dust off his Broncos and Queensland Origin playbooks in a bid to lead the Rabbitohs to grandfinal glory.

As he prepares for a remarkable 30th finals campaign, the NRL super coach outlined his blueprint to clinch an eighth premiership with a South Sydney side given no hope of title success without the suspended Mitchell.

Despite finishing third, just one win behind minor premiers Melbourne, the Rabbitohs are rank outsiders with bookmakers to upset the Panthers in Saturday night’s qualifying final in Townsville.

But Bennett says he can defy the premiership odds by replicating the coaching magic that saw him steer the Broncos and Queensland to silverware, despite having lost marquee players in the most pressurised games of his career.

Bennett coached the Maroons to the biggest series boilover in Origin history last year, blooding 14 rookies in a triumph that has convinced the master mentor he can steer Souths to the holy grail without his brilliant fullback.

“I believe we can get the job done without Latrell,” he said.

“I don’t build individuals. I have been building teams my whole coaching career. Teams win. Individuals don’t. A champion team will always beat a team of champions. That has always been my mantra since I started coaching.

“We went into last year’s State of Origin series and everyone told me Queensland couldn’t win. We had a stack of big names pull out. I blooded 14 debutants. But we came together as a team and that’s the key to it, that’s what I do.

“Losing Latrell ... as much as we will miss him, the bottom line is he is one part of the team.”

In his final month as Souths coach, Bennett is under mounting pressure to deliver another premiership.

The 71-year-old has seven titles on his glittering resume, but accepts it has been almost 11 years since his most recent premiership with the Dragons in 2010.

Souths skipper Adam Reynolds believes Bennett’s composure and big-game wisdom shape as an X-factor as the Rabbitohs plot a Panthers boilover this week on their way to a 22nd premiership.

“It is important that we lean on Wayne for his experience,” he said. “He has been coaching for a long time and obviously knows how to get up for this time of year.

“We are always facing new challenges and with his experience and calmness, it always gives you a sense of belief that you can do it.”

Souths have lost twice to Penrith this year, including a 56-12 belting in round 11, but Bennett says their Dubbo debacle means nothing.

“You can’t have too many off days in this business and we can’t have an off-day like that again,” he said.

“The pressure is coming on now. We’re in the toughest period of the season, so let’s see what the guys bring.

“It’s why you play this game, to get to these moments and these places.

“Talk is cheap.

“It’s the action that makes the difference, so let’s see what we come up with over the next few weeks.”