A remarkable account details how NRL legend Wayne Bennett kept close watch on his Brisbane Broncos players in the pre-social media era. The eight-time premiership-winning coach reportedly leveraged his background as a former police officer to track their off-field activities.
Bennett’s Covert Monitoring Tactics
Greg Martin, co-host of Brisbane’s Triple M Breakfast Show and ex-Wallabies player, disclosed the methods during a recent broadcast. He shared insights from former Broncos forward John Plath, who revealed Bennett enlisted old police contacts to surveil the team.
‘Johnny Plath said Wayne Bennett, because he was a former top cop before he was a coach, got his old cop mates to keep an eye on the Broncos players,’ Martin stated. ‘He had like an undercover squad watching the Broncos when they went out.’
Bennett’s approach underscores his intense commitment to discipline, ensuring players stayed on track away from the field.
Modern NRL Coach’s Instagram Surveillance
The revelation coincides with reports of a current NRL coach using a secret Instagram account to monitor team members. Players recently uncovered the burner profile after a tip-off, prompting some to investigate further.
One player reacted with surprise, even joking about blocking the account. The discovery occurred in recent weeks amid heightened scrutiny of off-field behavior.
Recent Player Social Media Controversies
NRL clubs face ongoing challenges with players’ online actions. Last year, Brisbane Broncos forward Martin Taupau was released after endorsing a critical Instagram video about head coach Michael Maguire’s training methods. The post, shared by ex-Wests Tigers player Elijah Taylor, alleged harsh regimens left players exhausted.
Taupau played just one game in the 2025 season before his sacking. Other incidents include Valentine Holmes deleting an Instagram photo showing a small white bag in his mouth, sparking speculation.
Brisbane star Reece Walsh drew backlash from a deleted TikTok prank video appearing to show him punching a friend, plus Snapchat footage of him drinking from a toilet during a night out.
Taylan May also faced criticism for a video allegedly depicting him speeding in a residential area, which spread widely despite deletion.
