Dolphins boss Terry Reader has taken a shot at critics suggesting Wayne Bennett had become preoccupied with his next coaching job as the side prepares for a must-win NRL derby with Brisbane.
Bennett's Dolphins have lost nine of 12 games since his return to South Sydney for next season was announced, leaving them in a desperate scrap for eighth place in the club's second season.
Ahead of Saturday's Suncorp Stadium clash with the equally desperate Broncos, Reader took aim at commentary suggesting the veteran coach had checked out.
"Whoever's saying that is a bit out of touch or never, ever worked with Wayne," he said.
"We're a side that's two years old, still building depth.
"We've been in games and gone down to the wire. To say that Wayne's not interested or switched off, I can assure you now there's nothing bigger (than the Brisbane clash).
"We don't need reassurances.
"You can sign a contract a year out in advance (of a club move) as a player but still turn up and perform for your current team.
"Do we think players are not bothered about winning?"
Bennett signed with the Rabbitohs on May 21 when the Dolphins were in fourth position.
They are now 10th, with six of those nine losses by seven points or less.
For all of them they were without their leading forwards Tom Gilbert and Tom Flegler due to injury, and for most they did not have their most influential player, hooker Jeremy Marshall-King.
Second-half fade-outs due to errors and a bench that has struggled for impact have also cost them.
The Dolphins and Broncos, both on 26 points, are two points behind eighth-placed St George Illawarra and requiring at least one Dragons loss and two wins in the remaining rounds to play finals.
Prop Mark Nicholls said criticism that Bennett was not as focused as he had been earlier in the season was wide of the mark and just "external noise".
He also disputed that players had dropped their bundle just because Bennett was leaving, pointing out that assistant coach Kristian Woolf was always taking over next year and was holding players accountable.
"From day dot Woolfy signed to be the head coach (in 2025), so for us if anyone is playing bad it is a bit silly because Woolfy is coaching next year," Nicholls said.
"You are not going to have a spot in the team if Woolfy realises that you are not committed to training or putting in this year, so I don't read too much into that (criticism).
"Wayne hates losing as much as anyone, and he has been exactly the same from what I have seen.
"I haven't noticed any change in Wayne."
He said the coach would have the side primed to upset the Broncos.
"You've just got to run harder and tackle harder than the Broncos," Nicholls said.
"That is what Wayne is good at, simplifying footy. He likes being the underdog more than anyone and I am sure come Friday (captain's run) he will have a speech ready to get us fired up."
