"Zero thoughts" on match-up with Marshall
Dolphins coach Wayne Bennett is not buying into the “master v apprentice” build-up for tomorrow’s round five clash against Wests Tigers.
Benji Marshall, who played under Bennett at Broncos and South Sydney, is now in charge at Tigers, who are among the early NRL pacesetters with Dolphins.
Both are on six points having won two of their three games and Dolphins enter the game slight favourites with bookmakers.
However, Bennett said he had “zero thoughts” on the match-up with Marshall at Suncorp Stadium, which kicks off at 6.35pm.
“I’m not coaching against Benji, I’m coaching against West Tigers,” he said.
“Loved my time with him and (we’re) great friends, (but) he’s got a job to do, I’ve got one to do.
“I’ve been pleased for him and pleased for them (Tigers) they’ve been able to win their last two games and are playing well.”
Bennett said Marshall’s “mannerisms, confidence, knowledge of the game and ability around people” as a player were good traits for becoming a coach.
But, today’s match is not “going to interfere with our friendship”, Bennett said.
Nor will Dolphins current position among the ladder leaders, with the coach saying if his team was still there with two weeks of the competition remaining it “might be a bit interesting”.
Dolphins are largely unchanged from the squad which beat Titans 30-14 on the Gold Coast last weekend to go top, for a few days.
Five-eighth Max Plath is suspended for two weeks after an early guilty plea for a hip drop tackle. Ray Stone is again at lock and Kenny Bromwich comes onto the bench.
Prop Thomas Flegler, who joined Dolphins from Broncos, reaches a milestone tomorrow with his 100th NRL appearance.
For Tigers, Lachlan Galvin is suspended and replaced at five-eighth by Jayden Sullivan, with Latu Fainu making his NRL debut as the number 14.