Thirty years ago one of Wayne Bennett’s favourite Brisbane players was John Plath and now at the Dolphins it is his son Max.
Max is set to line up for the Dolphins away to Gold Coast on Saturday after a stellar display at lock in the 38-0 win over St George Illawarra in round two before the Dolphins had a bye. The 22-year-old made 37 tackles and missed none.
In John’s case, Bennett’s admiration was for the reliability he so often brought to his utility role in four grand final wins during the 1990s. Bennett wasn’t such a fan of his social life on occasions off the field, where larrikin John was an even better performer.
Max has forged a reputation at the Dolphins for his off-field discipline and dedication where he won all the key fitness tests in the pre-season.
"His father has done a wonderful job with him, and his mother. Max is a wonderful young man," Bennett said.
"If he is the future of rugby league, we are in great shape."
Plath has embraced playing under Bennett, just as his father did.
"It has been great playing under Wayne, just awesome," Plath said.
"I am loving every minute of it. When you get confidence from Wayne it is massive for any player. It makes me want to put my best foot forward every weekend."
Plath received praise from Bennett in front of the entire group at one training session and prop Josh Kerr explained why.
"Wayne was giving Maxy a rap out there on the field because he is someone who has come in and lifted the standards every single session and worked his absolute backside off in the off-season," Kerr said.
Dolphins captain Jesse Bromwich had a similar story to tell about Bennett’s regard for Plath.
The side lost inspirational lock Tom Gilbert to a season-ending knee injury in the pre-season and Plath has stepped into big shoes.
"Max is one of those players setting the standards that Wayne enjoys. We are going to miss Tom Gilbert put Plathy brings a bit of what Tommy can do," Bromwich said.
The Titans have had a winless and dire start to the season, compounded by the loss of captain Tino Fa’asuamaleaui for the year to a torn anterior cruciate ligament.
"The thing we have to understand is that when we lost Tommy we were still riding on emotion. Tino is a big player for them so it will be a big game for them and we have to be ready for that," Plath said.
"We had a shocking start to the season too (against North Queensland) and you have to turn it around with hard work and doing the little things right. I expect the same thing from them.
"Des Hasler is a great coach and has been there and done that before so we expect them to be firing."
