Wayne Bennett's 900th first-grade game as coach is simply one of many incredible numbers from his unrivalled rugby league career.
In the wake of the Dolphins' stunning 36-16 victory over the Sharks in his milestone match, NRL.com reflects on the remarkable numbers that have comprised an even more remarkable career.
With thanks to David Middleton, author of the official annual of the NRL, here's a complete rundown of the Super Coach's stats... from the early days with Ipswich to the magical Magic Round triumph in 2023.
Wayne Bennett: Coaching Career
Club matches
* Includes official pre-season and state league matches.
* Includes official pre-season, mid-week competition, World Club Challenge, Super League World Club Challenge and World Club Series matches.
Representative matches
Wayne Bennett: Year by Year Performance
Ipswich
- 1976: Semi-finalists (Carlton Cup)
Brisbane Souths
- 1977: 8th (last)
- 1978: 5th
- 1979: Preliminary Finalists
- 1984: Runners-up
- 1985: Premiers
Brisbane Brothers
- 1980: Semi-finalists
- 1981: 8th (last)
- 1982: 6th
Canberra Raiders
Brisbane Broncos
- 1988: 7th
- 1989: 6th
- 1990: Preliminary Finalists
- 1991: 7th
- 1992: Premiers
- 1993: Premiers
- 1994: Semi-Finalists
- 1995: Semi-Finalists
- 1996: Semi-Finalists
- 1997: Premiers
- 1998: Premiers
- 1999: Quarter Finalists
- 2000: Premiers
- 2001: Preliminary Finalists
- 2002: Preliminary Finalists
- 2003: Quarter Finalists
- 2004: Semi-Finalists
- 2005: Semi-Finalists
- 2006: Premiers
- 2007: Quarter Finalists
- 2008: Semi-Finalists
- 2015: Runners-up
- 2016: Semi-Finalists
- 2017: Preliminary Finalists
- 2018: Quarter Finalists
St George Illawarra Dragons
- 2009: Semi-Finalists
- 2010: Premiers
- 2011: Semi-Finalists
Newcastle Knights
- 2012: 12th
- 2013: Preliminary Finalists
- 2014: 12th
South Sydney Rabbitohs
- 2019: Preliminary Finalists
- 2020: Preliminary Finalists
- 2021: Runners-up
Dolphins
- 2023: Six wins, four losses after 10 rounds
Sharks v Dolphins - Round 10, 2023
State of Origin
- 1986: Lost series 3-0
- 1987: Won series 2-1
- 1988: Won series 3-0
- 1998: Won series 2-1
- 2001: Won series 2-1
- 2002: Series drawn 1-1
- 2003: Lost series 2-1
- 2020: Won series 2-1
Australia
- 1998: Won series v New Zealand 2-0
- 2004: Won Anzac Test; Won Tri-Nations series
- 2005: Won Anzac Test; Beaten Tri-Nations finalists
England
- 2016: Third place Four Nations
- 2017: Won Test v Samoa; World Cup Runners-up
- 2018: Won series v New Zealand 2-1
Great Britain
- 2019: Lost Test v Tonga; Lost Test series v New Zealand 2-1; Lost Test v Papua New Guinea
Wayne Bennett: Titles
- Premierships (8): 1985 (Brisbane Souths), 1992-93, 1997-98, 2000, 2006 (Brisbane Broncos), 2010 (St George Illawarra Dragons)
- Pre-season (2): 1991 (Lotto Challenge, Brisbane Broncos), 1995 (Tooheys Challenge, Brisbane Broncos)
- Mid-week Titles (1): 1989 (Panasonic Cup, Brisbane Broncos)
- World Club Challenge (2): 1992 (Brisbane Broncos), 2011 (St George Illawarra Dragons)
- SL World Club Challenge (1): 1997 (Brisbane Broncos)
Most games played under Bennett’s coaching
- Darren Lockyer: 292 games
- Darius Boyd: 292 games
- Michael Hancock: 274 games
- Kevin Walters: 264 games
- Allan Langer: 258 games
Coached by Bennett in his 900 games
Chris Adams, Isaak Ah Mau, Euan Aitken, Corey Allan, Gavin Allen, Tom Amone, Fraser Anderson, Jai Arrow, Sam Backo, Danny Bampton, Berrick Barnes, Russell Bawden, Gary Belcher, Craig Bellamy, Peter Benson, Barry Berrigan, Shaun Berrigan, Jack Bird, Scott Blacker, Adam Blair, Jack Bosden, Jack Bostock, Leon Bott, David Bourke, Joe Boyce, Darius Boyd, Rowan Brennan, Dean Britt, Billy Brittain, Jesse Bromwich, Kenny Bromwich, Danny Buderus, George Burgess, Sam Burgess, Thomas Burgess, Braidon Burns, Darren Burns, Kevin Campion, Alan Cann, Phil Carey, Dane Carlaw, Willie Carne, Tonie Carroll, Jed Cartwright, Petero Civoniceva, Joel Clinton, Adam Clydsdale, JJ Collins, Greg Conescu, Bob Conway, Damien Cook, Matt Cooper, Michael Coorey, Dale Copley, Matthew Corkery, Mark Corvo, Neville Costigan, Gary Coyne, Ben Creagh, Tony Currie, Adam Cuthbertson, Ben Czislowski, Laurie Daley, Troy Dargan, Jack De Belin, Michael De Vere, Kurt Dillon, Michael Dobson, Mitchell Dodds, Sid Domic, James Donnelly, Kurt Donoghoe, Adam Doueihi, Greg Dowling, John Driscoll, Shane Duffy, Tony Duggan, Greg Eastwood, Greg Eden, Joel Edwards, Grant Ellis, Nick Emmett, Michael Ennis, Jason Erba, Herman Ese’ese, David Fa’alogo, Richard Fa’aoso, Poasa Faamausili, Terry Fahey, George Fai, Kalifa Faifai Loa, Butch Fatnowna, John Ferguson, Nathan Fien, David Fifita, Marvin Filipo, Craig Frawley, Gary French, Nathan Friend, Dane Gagai, Jacob Gagan, Brett Galea, Mitch Garbutt, Mark Gasnier, James Gavet, Andrew Gee, Keith Gee, Kurt Gidley, Ashley Gilbert, Tom Gilbert, Matt Gillett, Trevor Gillmeister, Ken Gittins, Alex Glenn, Bronx Goodwin, Craig Gower, David Gower, Campbell Graham, Craig Grauf, Grant Graving, Brett Green, Jon Green, Paul Green, Michael Greenfield, Payne Haas, Michael Hancock, Ben Hannant, Jason Hanrahan, Ashley Harrison, Paul Hauff, Dean Hawkins, Mathew Head, Ivan Henjak, Ray Herring, Matt Hilder, Mawene Hiroti, Justin Hodges, Jay Hoffman, Josh Hoffman, Mark Hohn, Ben Hornby, Jacob Host, Chris Houston, Harvey Howard, Ben Hunt, Dan Hunt, Karmichael Hunt, Ben Ikin, Paul Iles, Lachlan Ilias, Greg Inglis, Steve Irwin, Jamayne Isaako, Peter Jackson, Steve Jackson, Robert Jennings, Chris Johns, Jack Johns, Alex Johnston, Kris Kahler, Jordan Kahu, Isaiya Katoa, Felise Kaufusi, Damon Keating, Shaun Keating, Stuart Kelly, Denan Kemp, Brook Kennedy, Rhys Kennedy, Nick Kenny, Joe Kilroy, Cameron King, Chris Kinna, Liam Knight, Keaon Koloamatangi, Steve La Caze, Ian Lacey, Dean Lance, Allan Langer, Glenn Lazarus, Brett Le Man, Tom Learoyd-Lahrs, Brenko Lee, Edrick Lee, Phillip Lee, Joseph Leilua, Connelly Lemuelu, Michael Lett, Wally Lewis, Darren Lockyer, Matthew Lodge, Andrew Lomu, Ethan Lowe, Patrick Mago, Jake Mamo, Peter Mamouzelos, Kaine Manihera, Josh Mansour, Josh Mantellato, Clifford Manua, Darren Mapp, Lachlan Maranta, Jake Marketo, PJ Marsh, Jeremy Marshall-King, Benji Marshall, Steven Marsters, Paul Martin, Willie Mason, Chanel Mata’utia, Peter Mata’utia, Sione Mata’utia, Terry Matterson, Andrew McCullough, Casey McGuire, Josh McGuire, Chris McKenna, Alex McKinnon, James McManus, David Mead, Mal Meninga, Trent Merrin, Kieran Meyer, Brad Meyers, Steve Michaels, Gene Miles, Anthony Milford, Taane Milne, Matt Minto, Scott Minto, Latrell Mitchell, Davvy Moale, Tautau Moga, Francis Molo, Joel Moon, Willie Morganson, Brett Morris, Paul Morris, Les Morrissey, Jarrod Mullen, Anthony Mundine, Cameron Murray, Kevin Naiqama, Wes Naiqama, Clint Newton, Mark Nicholls, Bryan Niebling, Jason Nightingale, Kodi Nikorima, Tesi Niu, Billy Noke, Steve O’Callaghan, Kyle O’Donnell, Julian O’Neill, Chris O’Sullivan, Sean O’Sullivan, Corey Oates, Joe Ofahengaue, Tom Opacic, Mickey Paea, Tevita Pangai Jnr, Matt Parcell, Nick Parfitt, Corey Parker, David Paterson, Jaxson Paulo, Jonus Pearson, Shane Perry, John Plath, Brett Plowman, Darren Plowman, Justin Poore, Luke Priddis, Scott Prince, Matt Prior, Anthony Quinn, Tyler Randell, Jack Reed, Terry Regan, Mitch Rein, Steve Renouf, Steele Retchless, Adam Reynolds, Grant Rix, James Roberts, Mick Roberts, Tyrone Roberts, Reece Robinson, Robbie Rochow, Robbie Ross, Michael Ryan, Peter Ryan, Junior Sa’u, Jarrod Saffy, Wendell Sailor, Pat Savage, Beau Scott, Colin Scott, Dennis Scott, Hame Sele, Brett Seymour, Dale Shearer, Gehamat Shibasaki, Reece Simmonds, Alwyn Simpson, Ashton Sims, Korbin Sims, Bayley Sironen, Darren Smith, Jeremy Smith, Kade Snowden, Jamie Soward, David Stagg, Kotoni Staggs, Chase Stanley, Kyle Stanley, Ray Stone, Jaydn Su’A, John Sutton, Richard Swain, Blake Taaffe, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Sam Tagataese, Peni Tagive, Timana Tahu, Zeb Taia, Gorden Tallis, Robert Tanielu, Joseph Tapine, Brent Tate, Junior Tatola, Ashley Taylor, David Taylor, John Te Reo, Valynce Te Whare, Mason Teague, Craig Teevan, Rohan Teevan, Andrew Tessmann, Brad Tessmann, Zane Tetevano, Sam Thaiday, Ricky Thorby, Brad Thorn, Grant Thorogood, Brent Todd, Motu Tony, Connor Tracey, Scott Tronc, Evarn Tuimavave, Tame Tupou, Elia Tuqiri, Lote Tuqiri, Kyle Turner, Jake Turpin, Akuila Uate, Ben Vaeau, Paterika Vaivai, Daniel Vidot, Travis Waddell, Alfie Walker, Ben Walker, Chris Walker, Cody Walker, Shane Walker, Jarrod Wallace, Peter Wallace, Kerrod Walters, Kevin Walters, Steve Walters, Adam Warwick, Derrick Watkins, Carl Webb, Shane Webcke, Michael Weyman, Aaron Whitchurch, Neale Wyatt, Dean Young, Paul Young.
Premiership debuts under Bennett
Chris Adams, Isaak Ah Mau, Corey Allan, Tom Amone, Fraser Anderson, Jai Arrow, Danny Bampton, Berrick Barnes, Russell Bawden, Shaun Berrigan, Scott Blacker, Jack Bosden, Jack Bostock, Leon Bott, David Bourke, Joe Boyce, Darius Boyd, Billy Brittain, Alan Cann, Dane Carlaw, Willie Carne, Tonie Carroll, Petero Civoniceva, Adam Clydsdale, Greg Conescu, Bob Conway, Neville Costigan, Ben Czislowski, Laurie Daley, Troy Dargan, Jack De Belin, Michael De Vere, Sid Domic, Kurt Donoghoe, Greg Dowling, John Driscoll, Shane Duffy, Tony Duggan, Greg Eastwood, Greg Eden, Nick Emmett, Jason Erba, George Fai, Kalifa Faifai Loa, Butch Fatnowna, David Fifita, Craig Frawley, Gary French, Nathan Friend, Brett Galea, Andrew Gee, Keith Gee, Craig Grauf, Grant Graving, Brett Green, Payne Haas, Michael Hancock, Jason Hanrahan, Ashley Harrison, Paul Hauff, Dean Hawkins, Ray Herring, Justin Hodges, Josh Hoffman, Mark Hohn, Karmichael Hunt, Paul Iles, Lachlan Ilias, Steve Irwin, Jamayne Isaako, Peter Jackson, Steve Jackson, Jack Johns, Kris Kahler, Isaiya Katoa, Damon Keating, Shaun Keating, Denan Kemp, Brook Kennedy, Rhys Kennedy, Nick Kenny, Joe Kilroy, Cameron King, Keaon Koloamatangi, Steve La Caze, Ian Lacey, Allan Langer, Glenn Lazarus, Brett Le Man, Tom Learoyd-Lahrs, Wally Lewis, Darren Lockyer, Jake Mamo, Peter Mamouzelos, Kaine Manihera, Josh Mantellato, Darren Mapp, Jake Marketo, Steven Marsters, Chanel Mata’utia, Sione Mata’utia, Andrew McCullough, Chris McKenna, Alex McKinnon, Trent Merrin, Kieran Meyer, Brad Meyers, Steve Michaels, Gene Miles, Matt Minto, Scott Minto, Davvy Moale, Joel Moon, Willie Morganson, Paul Morris, Bryan Niebling, Kodi Nikorima, Kyle O’Donnell, Julian O’Neill, Joe Ofahengaue, Tom Opacic, Tevita Pangai, Matt Parcell, Nick Parfitt, Corey Parker, David Paterson, Jaxson Paulo, Jonus Pearson, John Plath, Brett Plowman, Darren Plowman, Tyler Randell, Mitch Rein, Steve Renouf, Steele Retchless, Grant Rix, Mick Roberts, Reece Robinson, Michael Ryan, Peter Ryan, Wendell Sailor, Pat Savage, Colin Scott, Dennis Scott, Brett Seymour, Gehamat Shibasaki, Alwyn Simpson, Korbin Sims, David Stagg, Kotoni Staggs, Kyle Stanley, Jaydn Su’a, Blake Taaffe, Robert Tanielu, Joseph Tapine, Brent Tate, Ashley Taylor, David Taylor, John Te Reo, Valynce Te Whare, Mason Teague, Craig Teevan, Rohan Teevan, Andrew Tessmann, Sam Thaiday, Brad Thorn, Grant Thorogood, Brent Todd, Connor Tracey, Tame Tupou, Elia Tuqiri, Lote Tuqiri, Jake Turpin, Ben Vaeau, Paterika Vaivai, Ben Walker, Chris Walker, Shane Walker, Kerrod Walters, Kevin Walters, Carl Webb, Shane Webcke, Neale Wyatt.