Bennett twist that could scupper Souths reunion

Andrew Johns has cast doubt over Wayne Bennett's desire to return to the South Sydney coaching hot seat.

Bennett quickly emerged as the frontrunner to secure the job after the Rabbitohs sacked his former deputy Jason Demetriou on Tuesday night.

About 13 hours after axing Demetriou, Bunnies CEO Blake Solly confirmed the club will pursue a Bennett return.

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The 74-year-old will finish his duties with the Dolphins at season's end and is a free agent for 2025 and beyond.

Bennett confirmed he will consider returning to the Burrow, but there may be more than one club after his services by the time it comes to making the decision.

Parramatta is battling to win without halfback Mitchell Moses, and long-time head coach Brad Arthur is in the gun.

Johns believes if the Eels are after a new coach for next year, Bennett will be keen to take it on.

"I don't know, I don't think (Bennett will coach the Rabbitohs)… does Wayne want to go to a club where they have to do a rebuild?" Johns said on Wide World of Sports' Freddy and the Eighth.

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"Their top-line players, or their well paid players, are over 30 (years old).

"I'd imagine if there are two jobs up for offer – Souths and if Parramatta came up – I reckon Wayne would prefer the Parramatta job.

"He's got an affiliation, he loved (legendary coach) Jack Gibson, had a relationship with Ron Massey.

"I think with Moses and Dylan Brown there, Zac Lomax is going there, Junior Paulo, Reagan Campbell-Gillard… there is a strong squad, more stability in the key positions."

It's widely believed Bennett wants to win another NRL premiership before hanging up the clipboard.

While the Rabbitohs and Eels have both played in – and lost – grand finals in the last three years, Parramatta's premiership window may be slightly more open given the age of their best players.

Phil Gould cautioned South Sydney against putting all their eggs in the Bennett basket, questioning why Solly would make their pursuit of one coach so public.

"They've announced they're going to go and chase Bennett – what if Bennett says no?" Gould told Wide World of Sports' Six Tackles with Gus.

Gould suggested current Newcastle assistant Brian McDermott is the man South Sydney should chase to replace Demetriou.