MAKE BENNETT THE GODFATHER OF NRL

When Brisbane Broncos coach Wayne Bennett speaks people listen and that was the case on Thursday night when the great man hit back at opposing coach Craig Bellamy and Melbourne captain Cameron Smith.

So often Bennett is right and again the legendary coach spoke with the wisdom so many at the Rugby League Central lack.

Bellamy and Smith, who have been crying out about scheduling for years, called their five-day turnarounds “criminal” and that it simply wasn’t fair at this time of the year for the Storm to be travelling and playing in such a short amount of time.

Maybe the Storm should speak to the North Queensland Cowboys?

When reporters told Bennett about their complaints, the messiah hit back calling it hypocritical for players to whine about the schedule when they continue to ask for more money.

Player fatigue is a legitimate concern but Bennett played devil’s advocate and his points were also legitimate.

Bennett needs to be offered a full-time consulting role when he finishes up at the Broncos.

He loves the game and he cares about its future.

TRIGUBOFF OFF THE MONEY

I couldn’t believe it when I read the headline in the Sydney Morning Herald the other day.

Billionaire businessman “Harry Triguboff intervenes in Robbie Farah v Jason Taylor feud”.

Sorry, what?

Apparently Triguboff isn’t happy with the treatment of Wests Tigers captain Robbie Farah and wants to sort this mess out himself with the help of NRL CEO Dave Smith.

The NRL are backing the Wests Tigers to see their decision through to the end and are quite rightfully staying out of it.

This is a new Wests Tigers board trying to build a successful sustainable model for the future.

Sorry Mr. Triguboff but Adam Blair, Marika Koroibete and Andrew Fifita are not the best players at their respective new clubs.

Would you stop eating at your local restaurant if Billy the dish pig got sacked?

Would you still drink beer at your favourite pub if Jane the bartender was let go?

In the bizarre world of rugby league, this is as bizarre as it gets.

Yes the timing is bad from the club but the out crying of support in favour of Farah defies belief.

MINOR PREMIERSHIP NOT WORTH IT

The official @The81stMinute twitter account last night tweeted about it and I agree 100%.

With record-breaking TV deals, salary caps rising, player wages skyrocketing, how can the prize for the minor premiership still be $100,000?

It was embarrassing last night when Ray Warren mentioned it during the Channel Nine call.

Parramatta mascot ‘Sparky’ is on more coin.

SBW ON HIS WAY BACK TO THE ROOSTERS

Earlier this week I reported that Sonny Bill Williams was definitely headed back to Bondi in 2017.

This was just confirming what most people within the game already knew.

NATHAN BROWN TO COACH NEWCASTLE

Newcastle have appointed Nathan Brown as the new coach and will take control after their final round clash against Penrith on Saturday.

Lots has been said about Newcastle’s vision for their future which has had an obvious spike in recent years in trying to regain local juniors that had slipped through their fingers.

The likes of Danny Buderus, Clint Newton, Willie Mason and Kade Snowden have all returned to the Hunter to give the Knights that “local feel”.

I wonder what Brown thinks of this.

32-year-old local lad Todd Lowrie is back on their books for next year. With Brown now in charge, Lowrie will no doubt be the last of the returning veterans campaign which just hasn’t worked.

VB NSW CUP ON RADIOHUB.COM.AU

Radiohub.com.au will have seven hours of coverage on Saturday starting at 1pm with Lewis Shepperd and I as the Steele Sports bring you three huge VB NSW Cup Finals matches.

@CurtisWoodward1