Bennett’s exit will fulfil Demetriou’s dream
DEPARTING Souths super coach Wayne Bennett has ruled out retirement and will consider any opportunity in the NRL – including a return to Queensland to help set up a prospective second team in Brisbane.
The winds of change are sweeping through the Pride of the League with Bennett confirming yesterday he will leave
Souths at the end of next year, clearing the path for assistant Jason Demetriou to launch his NRL career in 2022.
Just hours later, Souths boss Shane Richardson dropped his own bombshell, revealing he will head for the Redfern exits with Bennett when their respective contracts expire at the end of 2021.
Bennett’s decision not to seek reappointment at Souths has opened the door for his trusted assistant Demetriou to finally realise his dream of becoming an NRL head coach.
South Sydney’s succession plan for Bennett has shifted gears. The master coach has been privately grooming former Northern Pride premiership-winning coach Demetriou for an NRL top job since their time together at the Broncos and now “JD” will get his chance in the big league.
“It’s no shock to us,” Richardson said of Bennett’s impending departure.
“We haven’t signed a contract with Jason, we only agreed to terms last week.
“There’s no back-stabbing here.
“We have handled this situation with dignity and it will be a great opportunity for Jason.
“There’s nothing to hide here. Jason will replace Wayne so we’re getting on with it.”