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Sport Nation
Why new Dolphins coach Kristian Woolf can break the Bennett curse
Charles Goodsir • February 19th, 2025 1:06 pm
The Dolphins enter their third season of the NRL with the Wayne Bennett curse looming large but SEN’s Corey Parker believes new coach Kristian Woolf can buck the trend and lead the new look team to success.
Bennett is widely considered as the greatest coach in rugby league history but typically when the super coach leaves a club, his successor fails to fire and is ultimately sacked.
Former South Sydney Rabbitohs coach Jason Demetriou and former Brisbane Broncos coach Anthony Seibold are two recent examples in a long line of coaches who struggled at their clubs post-Bennett.
Parker is more optimistic about the Dolphins and is adamant that Woolf is in a better position to lead the next era at Redcliffe and break the Bennett curse.
“The curse is Wayne Bennett and we have seen the influence he has had on teams,” Parker said on SENQ Breakfast.
“This year, there's a new coach and you have to understand that last year with a 72-year-old Wayne, he was more of a man manager than he was a coach.
“Kristian Woolf has had a huge influence on this group and understands them all very well so his transition from assistant coach to head coach should be a seamless one.
“I’ve heard that training has ramped and there’s a bit more clarity about what the team is doing.
“If the Dolphins are able to stay injury free, they can certainly challenge some of the top teams.
“Their business model is also sound. They are not paying overs for a marquee player. Instead, they are developing their roster which will leave them in good stead.
“Will they play finals this year? I think they can. If they can have a fit team on the field for the majority of this season along with playing a consistent style of football.
“They have some strike players and x-factor. I think they can absolutely play finals football but it’s up to them.”
The Dolphins face their former coach Wayne Bennett and his South Sydney Rabbitohs to open the 2025 season.
