Be wary of Wayne: NRL super coach's legacy brought into question after Demetriou sacking

Following two board meetings on Tuesday, rugby league’s worst kept secret was confirmed, and Rabbitohs head coach Jason Demetriou was sacked after a disastrous start to the season.

Under Demetriou, the Rabbitohs were first halfway through the 2023 season before capitulating and missing out on finals altogether and have started 2024 with only one win from eight games.

Following the coach’s exit, SEN’s Jimmy Smith has raised questions about Wayne Bennett’s impact on the immediate futures of his successors, with Jason Demetriou, current Manly coach Anthony Seibold, and former Newcastle coach Rick Stone all being fired unceremoniously less than two years after replacing Bennett.

“Why on earth would you let Wayne Bennett walk out of the building when you know what happens when Wayne Bennett walks out of the building?,” Smith asked on SEN's Sportsday NSW.

“Did Seibold lose his job at the Broncos for the same reason Jason Demetriou lost his job at South Sydney? I think that’s where the difference lies.”

NRL great Scott Sattler echoed Smith’s sentiment, saying that new coaches, and current club, The Dolphins, must be wary of Bennett’s legacy.

“If you’re an assistant coach with ambitions to be a head coach, you’d be looking to move on also because history tells us his brilliance unfortunately doesn’t leave a great legacy for anyone who’s going to follow him,” Sattler said.

“From The Dolphins’ point of view, let’s allow his successor to get into the seat early rather than later before Wayne has too many fingerprints over the place.”

With the NRL’s coaching merry-go-round in constant operation, Demetriou could one day find himself back at the helm of a first-grade side, but Sattler believes it could be a few years away.

“Not in a head coaching role for a minimum of six to seven years,” Sattler remarked.

“I think he could serve a great purpose to someone as an assistant coach… it wouldn’t surprise me if he went to the UK Super League where he had a long playing career and he’s very highly regarded.”

Whatever the fix at South Sydney, it will take time, shown by the Rabbitohs losing their first game under interim coach Ben Hornby 42-12 against the Penrith Panthers last night.