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Wayne Bennett is known as one of the finest man managers in rugby league history. He's famous for knowing his players inside out and understanding how to get the best out of them.
But man management is not just about a shoulder to lean on or a comforting arm around you in a time of need.
Case in point, Sam Thaiday.
Bennett's return to Brisbane has coincided with Thaiday being put under the blowtorch.
From round one, Thaiday has had his attitude and desire questioned from "sources within the Broncos."
Sam Thaiday and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves face off during. Source: Getty Images
Thaiday has been benched and the media alerted that Thaiday's future at the Broncos was in doubt and that his form would be closely monitored.
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We all know who these "sources within the Broncos" are. Well played Wayne.
Last Friday night Thaiday exploded onto the park and put together one of his finest performances against the Sydney Roosters.
Thaiday's aggression was the cornerstone of the Broncos' victory.
Bennett has no plans of getting rid of Thaiday, otherwise the "sources within the Broncos" would have said the Broncos were under severe salary cap pressure and the retention of Thaiday was appearing unlikely.
The questioning of the Queensland legend's work ethic and desire was a personal attack, designed around reigniting his fire.
It did exactly that.
Sam Thaiday and Wayne Bennett during training — Photo Steve Pohlner Source: News Corp Australia
But turning up the heat on Thaiday was about more than just getting Sam back to his old self, it was about putting the whole playing roster on notice. Actually, it put the whole Brisbane club on notice.
The Brisbane Broncos had lost their way and putting one of the club's most experienced and decorated players on notice was a signal that much higher standards were again expected from everyone in this organisation.
Suddenly the Broncos have won their last five in a row and sit top of the table. Yep, the Brisbane Broncos are getting their swagger back.
When the Broncos were the dominating force right through the 90s, they were an arrogant bunch.
There was an arrogance right through the organisation — they were the best and they knew it.
You'd play against the Broncos and a young rookie who'd only played a handful of first grade games felt the right to sledge opposition players who were 200 game veterans.
Even the trainers would give you a bit of lip if they had a chance.
Andrew Gee and Paul Harragon & Brisbane Bronco trade blows — both were sent to sin bin. Source: News Corp Australia
I remember Knights v Broncos in Newcastle 1995, and suddenly a brawl breaks out early in the match. Our skipper Paul Harragon squares off against Brisbane's enforcer, Andrew Gee.
They were trading blows when suddenly Broncos trainer Kelvin Giles runs into the thick of the action, grabs Chief from behind, holds him while Andrew Gee lands 4-5 straight right hands to the Chief's chin.
That was the Broncos. They played by their own rules because they believed they deserved to.
I miss that Broncos!
So do the people of Brisbane, but they're coming back.
On Friday they take on a team who are suddenly rediscovering the better version of themselves, the Dragons.
After the Dragons lost their first two competition games, plenty of drama unfolded. The Old "Oust Doust" banners were dragged from under the house, as fans with a whiff of a disastrous season in the air demanded answers to the question: "Where is this club headed?"
There was an early season crisis looming and they needed a win, fast.
An Oust Doust banner at Oki Jubilee Stadium in Kogarah. Source: News Corp Australia
They got one, a tough, gritty, come-from-behind victory over the Raiders 22-20.
It wasn't the type of win that gave you the feeling they were going to go on to win four in a row, but that's exactly what's happened.
The Dragons have got better every week.
The coach Paul McGregor deserves huge credit. He kept his cool, tinkered with a few things and has rightfully been rewarded.
Their defensive effort is at the core of their success.
Nothing gauges attitude like defensive energy and the Dragons have plenty. They are the NRL's best defensive team. In attack they've loosened their rigid structure which in the past put them in a creative straight jacket.
They allow themselves to jump into a bit of ad lib football while not losing discipline.
Benji Marshall's form is grabbing headlines, and while everyone continues to focus on Benji's flicks and tricks, it's his willingness to play to a plan and use the fundamentals of direct ball playing, which is at the centre of his revival.
Keeping Benji's focus away from flash highlight reel moments is critical to the ongoing success of the team.
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