Mat Rogers blasts 'absolute joke' move after Wayne Bennett elevated into NRL Hall of Fame

Former league and Wallabies star Mat Rogers has blasted the move to elevate Wayne Bennet into the NRL Hall of Fame having claimed the honour should be reserved for those who are retired from the game. Bennett is undoubtedly one of the greatest coaches the sport has ever seen.

Having coached numerous clubs to NRL titles, Bennett has seven premierships to go along with seven State of Origin series victories. Players often speak of Bennett in the highest regard and it was never in doubt the master coach would eventually find his way into the Hall of Fame.

Legendary coach Jack Gibson joined Bennett in the Hall of Fame for helping revolutionise the way the sport was played at the Roosters and the Eels. He coached his last game in 1990. The duo are the first two coaches to join the great list of former players. David Morrow also joined the duo for his dedication as a long-time commentator of the game.

However, Bennett's immediate induction into the illustrious group has not sat well with one former player. Former Maroons back Rogers feels the NRL has missed a step when announcing Bennett into the Hall of Fame while he is still coaching. Bennett has no plans in stepping back from his managerial role considering he will join the Rabbitohs in his 38th season as coach next year.

And Rogers feels it was a 'ridiculous' call to elevate Bennett into the elite group while so many are waiting and have been retired for years. “He’s still coaching, it is absolutely ridiculous,” Rogers said on SEN Radio.

“Of course (he is one of the greatest coaches of all time), he will be in the Hall of Fame but to put him in the Hall of Fame when he’s still (coaching), are we going to put DCE (Daly Cherry-Evans) in this year? He’s a Hall of Fame player DCE, he’ll be there, 'Let’s put him in the Hall of Fame right now'. What about Nathan Cleary, he’s just won three premierships in a row?

“I hate it, absolutely hate it, let their career end, let it breathe a little then honour their career at the Hall of Fame, he probably won’t even show up because he’s got a team to coach. What an absolute joke.”

Rogers still couldn't believe Bennett was getting inducted in front of a number of players who have recently retired, and could be Immortals. “I just can’t believe how blatantly wrong the NRL gets it sometimes, this is a joke, I’m so off the bit about it, it is ridiculous,” Rogers added.

“Cam Smith (will be a Hall of Famer) why isn’t he in it this year? He’ll probably be an Immortal which I think is wrong again. You don’t go into a Hall of Fame when you’re still in your career, that is not how it works.”

Jack Gibson and Wayne Bennett praised

While Rogers was against Bennett's immediate induction in the NRL Hall of Fame, ARLC chairman Peter V’landys was full of praise for this year's inductees. “It is an historic moment for the game to recognise for the first time the extraordinary contribution of two legendary coaches, Jack Gibson and Wayne Bennett,” V’landys said.

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“Wayne is the ultimate people manager. He has the rare ability to get the best out of a player, no matter their background. Players who come from hard times or players who have everything, Wayne takes them to another level.

“He can make every player the most important in the team. He has a rare presence that gains the attention of all demographics. Jack was just the first super coach. He took calculated risks that always seemed to pay off. Jack was innovative and futuristic and was ahead of his time. His one-liners were legendary.”