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The hardest goodbye: Wayne Bennett's work here is done
BY MICHAEL CHAMMAS
31 Mar, 2011 01:00 AM

Bennett waltzed into training yesterday like every other day during his 2? years at the club.
It's been almost three years to the day since St George Illawarra pulled off one of the biggest signings in rugby league history.
But yesterday, the Dragons could do nothing but sit back and watch as their saviour prepared to walk away.
Flanked by his boss, his captain and his successor, Wayne Bennett revealed the worst-kept secret in rugby league.
The sense of fulfillment in Bennett's voice echoed through the Steelers Club when he announced he would be moving on from the Dragons at the season's end.
He came, he changed, he conquered. His job was done.
He'd achieved everything Peter Doust and the board - as well as the demanding supporter base - could have ever dreamed about when they unveiled their major coup on April Fool's Day of 2008.
St George Illawarra are the undisputed champions of the world. It's a title that justifies Bennett's decision to turn his back on the red-and-whites.
The players wanted him to stay, the fans wanted him to stay and Doust insists he did everything in his power to keep Bennett in Wollongong. But once he had made up his mind, nobody was going to stop him.
However, it was far from another day at the office.
The average punter walking past WIN Stadium could have been excused for thinking it was grand final week judging by the unusually high amount of media present during the session.
Having told his senior players the night before, Bennett proceeded to inform the rest of the squad before training of his forthcoming departure.
On their way off the paddock the players joked about the media presence, asking if there was something worth reporting.
The reality sunk in at 12.01pm, when Doust confirmed the news with the rest of the world.
Bennett is adamant his decision to leave won't derail the club's quest for back-to-back premierships. You would be silly to believe otherwise.
As for Price, he offered a brief glimpse into the future during the press conference.
His coaching mannerisms may be likened to Bennett but unlike his mentor, Price appears to be a hit with the cameras.
The Wayne Bennett chapter of the St George Illawarra history book is far from over, but regardless of its ending, it will go down as one of the most captivating eras of the club's short history.

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