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Important SN update for Southland'Fall asleep in meetings': Is Bennett too old for PNG gig?
Emily Benammar • June 25th, 2025 9:30 am
Corey Parker has cast doubt over the suggestion Wayne Bennett is the best option to pioneer the PNG NRL franchise.
Less than 12 months into his current deal with the South Sydney Rabbitohs, Bennett’s future is already under a cloud of doubt after revealing the NRL commission has approached him about the league’s next franchise.
Scheduled to enter the competition in 2028, super coach Bennett is the man Peter V’landys wants given his expertise in start-up clubs.
But Parker is not convinced – particularly given his age.
“I have to pull this up,” Parker said on SENQ Breakfast. “He is 75 Years-old at this point in time.
“He is off contract at Souths in 2027. At that point he will be 77 years of age and you’re saying he’s the best option to get a new franchise going over in PNG?”
Bennett has been at the helm for a number of NRL start-ups. He was the inaugural coach at the Brisbane Broncos in 1988 and steered the early years of the Dolphins.
Defecting to the PNG franchise would also mean getting out of his Rabbitohs contract at least one year before it ends at the end of 2027.
Despite his resume, Parker believes there must be other options.
“He will have to let Souths down and pull out of his contract,” he continued, “He will be 78 starting a new club.
“Why does it have to be Wayne Bennett? He’s been at a few expansion clubs I get it but at 77?
“I go back to when he was coaching me he would fall asleep in the team meetings! You’re talking about a new franchise at 77!”
Bennett confirmed this week that an approach had been made but was non-descript as to whether he would be actioning a move.
“Yes, we’ve talked about it (the PNG team),” Bennett said on Tuesday.
“We’ll just see where I am in a couple of years.
“I will see where I’m at and where PNG is at. I’ve got to sort myself out.
“I have great respect for Peter V’landys and I’ll help the game out if I can, but I’m not going to do anything right now.
“I’m still contracted for a few years here at Souths, so I’ve got to do my time here and we’ll see what happens.”
