NRL Corridor of Fame inductee Wayne Bennett has paid tribute to the late teaching mastermind Ron Massey, who he rang not less than as soon as every week for 30 years and credit for offering him with immeasurable knowledge.
Dolphins coach Bennett, who has gained seven premierships as a coach, joined five-time premiership winner Jack Gibson as the primary coaches to be inducted into the NRL Corridor of Fame.
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Massey, who died in 2016, was Gibson’s right-hand man in title wins at Jap Suburbs (1974-75) and Parramatta (1981-83), then joined him at Cronulla. The pair have been inseparable and dependable mates.
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“Ron Massey will not be within the Corridor of Fame, however he helped males like me get within the Corridor of Fame due to what he gave us,” Bennett instructed AAP.
“He had a terrific mind and was an exquisite man. In my teaching life I’d have rung him not less than as soon as per week. I used to be very fortunate he befriended me.”
Bennett was beneficial to Brisbane’s inaugural administrators by Gibson as the person to teach the aspect in 1988, lower than a 12 months after a pivotal assembly with Massey.
Bennett was co-coach of the Raiders in 1987 and his first task was in opposition to Gibson’s Sharks.
“Once I went to Canberra is when Ron befriended me,” Bennett recalled.
“Jack and Ron have been teaching Cronulla and so they turned up for the primary recreation I coached in Canberra.
“There was a perform. Jack was the visitor speaker and I sat with Ron. I would by no means met him earlier than and I used to be very lucky he took a liking to me. As I used to be leaving the room he stated, ‘Right here is my telephone quantity. For those who ever wish to speak about soccer, Wayne, give me a hoop’.
“I used to be so privileged. I spoke to him not less than as soon as each week for the remainder of his life and perhaps extra.
“Each grand remaining I coached, Ron was within the teaching field with me. He had retired at that stage.”
Bennett stated the friendship between Massey and Gibson left an indelible mark.
“I did ask Ron as soon as why he stayed with Jack as a result of he might have been a head coach himself. He stated they have been real buddies and he simply wished to assist Jack,” Bennett stated.
“They trusted one another enormously. Jack has the charisma and the vibe, and Ron has the work ethic and smarts.
“I wasn’t the one particular person Ron mentored and helped.
“He was nice for Paul Gallen and helped Ricky Stuart at some levels. The Parramatta guys like Mick Cronin beloved him.
“Ron was nice for John Quayle when he was on the Roosters. John, who turned CEO of the sport, was nice buddies with him. John was like me. He relied on Ron and trusted him. He by no means lied to you and by no means had a foul thought.
“Ron was a enjoyable man to be round, a terrific host and only a nice buddy.”
Bennett’s connection to Gibson by Massey is a captivating back-story to the Corridor of Fame induction, however the grasp coach had different fantastic mentors, none extra so than the late Bob Bax, the primary Brisbane ‘supercoach’.
Bax gained 9 Brisbane Rugby League titles with Brothers and Norths within the Fifties and Sixties.
“Bob Bax was nice for me as nicely,” Bennett stated.
“He was an exquisite coach who helped me enormously. I realized a lot from him and Ron … simply a lot from each of them.”
AAP
