Wayne Bennett has banned Triple M from all South Sydney Rabbitohs media access after the radio network aired a skit that referenced both his ex-wife Trish and current partner Dale Tynan.
The segment, which aired on Triple M Brisbane and has since been deleted, was meant to be a comedy bit. But Bennett wasn’t laughing. According to leaked audio, he told Triple M they were no longer welcome at press conferences, training sessions or match-day interviews. That’s a full blackout from one of the NRL’s most experienced and high-profile coaches.
Triple M isn’t just a random radio station. They’re an official broadcast partner of the NRL. They’ve got rights, pre-game shows, sideline access, the whole lot. Now they’ve lost all of it when it comes to the Rabbitohs, because someone thought it’d be funny to crack jokes about Bennett’s personal life.
His relationship with Tynan became public back in 2016 after his separation from Trish, who he’d been married to for over 40 years. Since then, both women have stayed out of the public eye. Bennett has always made it clear that while he’s happy to cop media scrutiny about football, his family is off limits.
And that’s exactly where this thing blew up. The skit didn’t mock a coaching decision or his overall performance. It brought two people into the spotlight who never asked to be there. That’s the line Bennett drew. And once it was crossed, he shut the door.
Look, maybe Bennett is being a bit sensitive. You could argue footys always had a culture of taking the piss, especially in media. But when you target someone’s partner or ex, you’re not just poking fun anymore. You’re making it personal. And when you make it personal, expect clubs, players and coaches to take a hard stance.
