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Did Wayne Bennett sabotage the 2011 semi-final?
SEN • September 11th, 2025 12:55 pm
Did Wayne Bennett try and sabotage the Broncos’ preparations for the 2011 semi-final against the Dragons?
It’s a supposition put forward by Corey Parker who reflected on the eve of the do-or-die clash on SENQ Breakfast.
Amid reports that Warriors fans are planning to let off fireworks, perform burnouts and do anything they can to disrupt the Panthers squad from outside their hotel ahead of their elimination final, Parker reflected on his own experiences 15 years ago.
“Through finals at the Broncos you go into camp a few days early, you treat it differently,” he said.
“We had a semi-final in Brisbane and we were staying at the Stamford Plaza.
“At 2am the fire alarm is going off, it’s evacuation style stuff and we’re playing the next day.
“Here we are sitting in the gutter of the hotel and it’s game day.
“We were playing the Dragons, guess who was coach at the time – Wayne Bennett.
“Uncle Wayne has rolled into town and there is some strong suggestion that he’s manipulated a little chaos at the hotel to make sure we’re in the gutter at 2am ahead of the semi-final.”
In social media posts – which have now been reported to the NRL - Warriors fans have also discussed egging Ivan Cleary’s coaching box and storming the field when the Panthers are on the attack.
Seeing the funny side, Cleary said: “I’m not too worried. I have some experience with the Warriors fan base. They’re a good-natured lot and very passionate.
“It actually happened to us in 2022 when we were staying in Parramatta before a prelim. Parra beat the Cowboys up in North Queensland, so we were pretty much kept up all night.
“That one worked out OK.”
