In the NRL’s most unpredictable season in memory, timing was always going to be everything.
And master coach Wayne Bennett is again proving himself to be the king of it.
On a weekend where two top-four teams went out in straight sets for the first time in 11 years, Bennett’s South Sydney side continued to time their run perfectly.
After the Sydney Roosters suffered a third straight loss on Friday night to end their shot at a three-peat, Souths ended Parramatta’s fade with a 38-24 win on Saturday night.
The Rabbitohs made it 144 points in three weeks, setting up a mouth-watering grand-final qualifier on Saturday against Penrith, a team enjoying the best season of any this century.
The key for Souths is that Bennett knows his players well.
As he explained on Saturday night, he saw them fade last year from early competition frontrunners to a week-three exit in the finals.
While other younger teams were pushed each day and players showed off their work outs, Souths’ older squad were given the first two weeks off.
“When we got sent away at the start, we had no idea when we were going to come back,” hooker Damien Cook said.
“And I think at the start they were talking September (for the NRL to resume). I remember talking as a group ‘no-one do anything for two weeks.
“It’s off-season, take two weeks, rest up and then we’ll reassess’.”
Even when training resumed, it was light.
Zoom video sessions between players and coaching staff were only once a week, while players sometimes sent in videos of their work outs.
Strength and conditioning coach Jack Milligan spent time running players one-on-one at Coogee, as per the NRL’s COVID guidelines.
“It was changing every week so we just eased our way back in,” Cook said.
“Then they started sending out programs and made sure that we were up to speed with our fitness when we got back to training.
“I think the staff did it right during that period.”
Players appreciated it too.
They won just four of their first nine out of the COVID break, but have gone 9-2 since.
“There is no point coming out of the gates and falling away. We were guilty of that last year,” halfback Adam Reynolds said.
“He’s experienced and been around the game for a long time and understands what works.
“He’s pretty relaxed Wayne. He understands football and he understands life. Everyone has families and other stuff going on.”
On the other side of the draw, Canberra have the same timing.
Friday night’s knockout win over the Roosters made it 11 wins from 13 games, as they now prepare for a Melbourne team with the same record as them over that period.
“That’s normal (to be written off) when you are playing Melbourne,” prop Josh Papalii said.
“But the belief is there.”
