Utterly compelling and continually surprising
(Christopher Sutton‚ foxports.com.au)
In an age when few things stay the same for any length of time‚ Wayne Bennett's unprecedented 21-year run as coach of the Brisbane Broncos is an extraordinary achievement. His men won all six of the grand finals they contested in this time‚ and as Queensland State of Origin coach‚ Bennett lost just two series out of seven. In two stints as Australian coach‚ he built an incredible record of 11 wins and a draw from 15 Tests.
WAYNE BENNETT: THE MAN IN THE MIRROR is the candid story of this remarkable man who helped launch a new rugby league club and turned it into a powerhouse. Bennett has always sought to make a difference. A man of principle‚ Bennett has had to make many tough choices over the years‚ such as sacking the legendary Wally Lewis and joining the Super League revolution. In 2008‚ he made the shock decision to leave the Broncos‚ and join the ailing Sydney club St George Illawarra. Once again‚ Bennett is aiming to prove the critics wrong; to prove he's one of a kind.
Throughout his great football adventure‚ Bennett and his wife Trish have raised three children‚ two of whom are disabled. When ABC's AUSTRALIAN STORY showcased him and his family in 1999‚ the episode achieved record ratings and showed the softer side of this notoriously media-shy public figure. Three years later‚ he wrote the inspirational DON'T DIE WITH THE MUSIC IN YOU‚ which has now sold more than 100‚000 copies.