Parker not buying into claims Bennett has turned focus to Souths ahead of 2025 move

SEN’s Corey Parker has hit back at veteran journalist Buzz Rothfield after he called out Dolphins coach Wayne Bennett for seemingly working two jobs at the same time.

Bennett was previously announced as the South Sydney Rabbitohs coach for 2025 and since then both his current and future side’s seasons have gone in opposite directions.

In the last four weeks, the Dolphins have lost three of their last four games, whilst the Rabbitohs notched up a fourth-straight win on Saturday night.

Reports have suggested that Bennett has been in contact with interim coach Ben Hornby to discuss positional changes and has also touched base with some of the side’s stars, all while still being at the helm of the Dolphins.

Whilst Parker admits Bennett would be looking ahead to 2025, he stated his confident belief that Wayne will give it his all in his final year with the NRL’s newest team.

“It’s a unique situation but if anyone can do unique situations in the modern game, it’s Wayne Bennett,” Parker told SENQ Mornings.

“He just has that ability, his connections and what he’s done, there’d no one like a Wayne Bennett once he moves on from Souths, if he ever does.

“What he’s able to do is differentiate, yes he’s obviously helping Ben Hornby and what is happening down there at Souths but I wouldn’t think (it’s) as much as everyone may or may not think.

“Give Hornby and the players some credit… (but) to say that while the Dolphins are on the slide and Souths are on the rise, and Wayne is now checked out, I think that’s rubbish.”

After losing nine of their first ten games, the Rabbitohs parted ways with coach Jason Demetriou and have since shown considerable improvement with their on-field performances.

“The losses that they’ve (Dolphins) had, the game on the weekend against Melbourne was one of the great spectacles, against the competition leaders,” Parker added.

“They went within a whisker (of winning).

“I’m not buying into that from Buzz, I don’t coincide with him on those opinions.”