Footy great Gorden Tallis has revealed how supercoach Wayne Bennett has repeatedly turned troubled NRL stars into match-winners simply by letting wild characters be themselves.
Bennett, 74, has been coaching in the NRL since 1987, where he got his start at the Canberra Raiders.
Next was Brisbane the following season, where Bennett made no attempt to limit the larrikin nature of halfback Allan Langer.
The result was emphatic – premierships in 1992, 1993, 1997 (Super League) and 1998, where Langer was a key figure in all four grand finals.
Bennett knew the cheeky halfback was the key to his team’s success, so ‘Alfie’ was able to hold court over many years at the Broncos.
Another prominent example is Willie Mason, who was recruited by Bennett to join the Knights in 2012 as a leader.
Footy great Gorden Tallis has revealed how Supercoach Wayne Bennett (pictured) has repeatedly turned NRL bad boys into model citizens – let the wild characters be themselves
Tallis pointed out Bennett ‘is not a micromanager and lets men be men’ – it might explain his longevity in the sport
His signature came despite a chequered off-field past, but Bennett knew he would provide the grunt and experience his struggling forward pack desperately needed at the time.
And in recent years, Rabbitohs star Latrell Mitchell – arguably the most polarising player in rugby league – played his best football under Bennett during his first stint in charge at Redfern.
Following a testing 2024 in many ways, the man they call ‘Trell Mit’ looked noticeably slimmer in pre-season.
His 2025 campaign has been stalled by a hamstring injury, but Mitchell’s eventual return will revitalise the first grade squad instantly.
It comes as Brandon Smith has reportedly signed on to join South Sydney from 2026 as he splits from their bitter rivals the Roosters.
Some footy fans would see it as a risky signing, especially given Smith previously gave Bennett his word he would sign for the Dolphins at Redcliffe – only to then agree to terms with the Tricolours.
But according to Tallis – who also liked a good time in his playing days under Bennett with the Broncos – all will be forgiven.
As long as Smith produces when it matters, he will be welcomed with open arms.
At the Broncos and Queensland Origin camps, Bennett made no attempt to limit the larrikin nature of halfback Allan Langer (pictured together, in 2001)
Despite a chequered off-field past, Willie Mason was recruited by Bennett to join the Knights in 2012 due to his leadership
Brandon Smith is poised to leave the Roosters and join bitter rivals South Sydney in 2026
‘Wayne is asleep by 8pm, Wayne doesn’t know what Brandon Smith does outside of footy and he doesn’t care,’ Tallis told Fox League.
‘Wayne’s not going to judge him on anything but football. He is not a micromanager, he lets men be men and some coaches need to learn from that.’
It is an approach that has paid dividends for decades, with Bennett not worried about what makes footy players tick.
He just has to win.
And while the jury is still out on the supremely talented Josh Schuster at South Sydney, Bennett is no miracle worker.
A believer in second chances, it is always a two-way street, with some players – notably Dave Taylor when at the Broncos – sadly unable to seize their moment.
But that’s human nature.
And as Bennett famously once quipped: ‘if you have a team full of choir boys you’ll win nothing.’
Characters are vital in footy squads, and Bennett knows that better than anyone.
If he does jump ship, Smith will offer the Rabbitohs plenty.
And with a bit of Bennett magic dust, he could be a key figure as the club chase their 22nd premiership.
