I see Brian Smith has done it again, Sydney Roosters wooden spoon last year, Smith takes over, they are in the Grand Final this year. He has already won the Dally M Coach of the year again.

Every club he takes over from a bad state, he turns on its head and gets it to being a top team. Just like every time Tony takes over a team he breaks them out of their cycle of underachievement. Lets hope Brian can get the one thing missing, a Grand Final win.

Also interesting to look at whose in the Roosters side, bearing in mind he is Tony's brother and Tony will no doubt have the inside track on who could be looking for a move to England, I wonder if we will make any signings from the Roosters in the next couple of years.

I wouldn't mind Carney or Anasta as replacement for Briers.

Backed the roosters over a month ago and got 10/1 for my troubles. Carney has been unbelievable when i've seen him and the fact he won't get in the aus 4 nations team just about sums up our chances!

You seem to forget, Bennett took over the Dragons in a similar state and took them to 2 Minor Premierships and now the grand final. Put that with his 6 premierships, his remarkable tally of finals appearances at the Broncos (strange that they have gone backwards since he left), State of Origin wins and World cup win with New Zealand and there really is no contest to see who the best coach in the world is.

That is not to undermine the fantastic efforts of the Smith brothers though, it just puts it into a little more perspective.

Good to see two excellent coaches going head-to-head. Personally, I would always back Bennett in a one-off game. I do hope Smith picks up a win though, just to acknowledge his coaching abilities during his career. Although, if history repeats itself Smith will leave the Roosters in the next year or two with a GF win coming very soon after.

Tony's replacement at the HJ then??.....

Other than Bradford has this actually happened to any of Smith's clubs?

Wayne Bennett must be the greatest coach ever.

Dont even think about it

I see Daniel Anderson has just been sacked as Parramatta coach. He'd be a top choice for us next year if TS takes the Parra job.

Where has this come from about Smith possibly taking the Eels job?

Didn't he leave St George around 1997 only for them to lose the '99 GF to the Jamie Ainscough controversy?

Ditto with Parra 2007/2009?

Granted both were losses. But soon after his departure, GF appearances occur.

Don't worry I just made it up. I doubt he will apply for it. The Aussie press says Stephen Kearney or Ricky Stuart will be the new Parra coach.

I saw the game and he was interviewed after the game. Its funny listening to Brian speak because he sounds exactly like Tony and uses similar phrases.

Or rather Tony sounds like Brian.

(I need to get out more)

So does this mean he's good or ? I'm confused.

odd that statement,
Bennet won one title in his last eight years at Brisbane and when you think of the players he had at his disposal too Webcke Civoneciva Tallis Carl Webb and Berrigan to name a few from the pack. Then De vere, Tuquiri and Sailor to name a few of the backs.

All Ivan Henjak is left with is Lockyer Corey parker and a load of kids ...