League great Peter Sterling says Wayne Bennett would have known all along that Corey Allan would replace Latrell Mitchell despite claims the club agonised over the star's replacement.
Unsung hero Allan, who had played just three games this season prior to replacing the injured Mitchell at fullback about a month ago, was pivotal in providing balance at the back while also sparking the Rabbitohs on the edges in the huge 60-8 win over the undermanned premiers.
After the match, Bennett maintained the NRL's top try-scorer Alex Johnston was also in the mix to start at fullback when Mitchell was ruled out, but Sterling believes the master coach was foxing.
Speaking on Wide World of Sports' Sterlo's Wrap, the former Parramatta halfback wasn't buying the Rabbitohs coach's claims.
"I think he was playing ducks and drakes with us Wayne Bennett. When Latrell was ruled out he threw up both Allan and Johnston as possible No.1's," Sterling said.
"I think all along he knew Allan was going to be the fullback and Johnston would stay on the flank.
"Allan has certainly eased the pressure and the difficulties they were facing when they lost a player of the calibre of Mitchell. Corey Allan has done a great job."
Following the Roosters hammering, Bennett gushed over Allan's combination with Johnston during the win, especially a memorable piece of selfless play from the fullback.
With Souths up 48-8 and just over five minutes to go, Allan crossed the try-line and passed the ball to the man he beat for the fullback role, knowing Johnston needed one more four-pointer in the final round of the regular season to join Kyle Feldt at the top of the season try-scoring standings. Moments later Johnston claimed his fifth try of the night to claim the gong outright.
"I've seen a lot of things in football but I don't know if I've seen anything quite as unselfish as that last moment," Bennett said.
"But if you don't think they know the stats and don't think they know what's going on you're kidding yourself because obviously they all knew he was equal try scorer.
"He stopped over the try line and looked for him, [Johnston] looked up and chased it, he gave him the ball, it was a wonderful moment in sport actually, it was what makes sport great to me."
The Souths coach admitted the club was fortunate to have the former Bronco Allan and Johnston on the field at the same time.
"I was thinking how lucky we were we made the decision to put Corey at fullback and Alex on the wing," Bennett said.
"Because we were thinking about going the other way at one stage when Latrell got injured. But Alex is a genuine finisher and Corey has some lovely passes in him that link everybody up."
League great Peter Sterling says Wayne Bennett would have known all along that Corey Allan would replace Latrell Mitchell despite claims the club agonised over the star's replacement.
Unsung hero Allan, who had played just three games this season prior to replacing the injured Mitchell at fullback about a month ago, was pivotal in providing balance at the back while also sparking the Rabbitohs on the edges in the huge 60-8 win over the undermanned premiers.
After the match, Bennett maintained the NRL's top try-scorer Alex Johnston was also in the mix to start at fullback when Mitchell was ruled out, but Sterling believes the master coach was foxing.
Speaking on Wide World of Sports' Sterlo's Wrap, the former Parramatta halfback wasn't buying the Rabbitohs coach's claims.
"I think he was playing ducks and drakes with us Wayne Bennett. When Latrell was ruled out he threw up both Allan and Johnston as possible No.1's," Sterling said.
"I think all along he knew Allan was going to be the fullback and Johnston would stay on the flank.
"Allan has certainly eased the pressure and the difficulties they were facing when they lost a player of the calibre of Mitchell. Corey Allan has done a great job."
Following the Roosters hammering, Bennett gushed over Allan's combination with Johnston during the win, especially a memorable piece of selfless play from the fullback.
With Souths up 48-8 and just over five minutes to go, Allan crossed the try-line and passed the ball to the man he beat for the fullback role, knowing Johnston needed one more four-pointer in the final round of the regular season to join Kyle Feldt at the top of the season try-scoring standings. Moments later Johnston claimed his fifth try of the night to claim the gong outright.
"I've seen a lot of things in football but I don't know if I've seen anything quite as unselfish as that last moment," Bennett said.
"But if you don't think they know the stats and don't think they know what's going on you're kidding yourself because obviously they all knew he was equal try scorer.
"He stopped over the try line and looked for him, [Johnston] looked up and chased it, he gave him the ball, it was a wonderful moment in sport actually, it was what makes sport great to me."
The Souths coach admitted the club was fortunate to have the former Bronco Allan and Johnston on the field at the same time.
"I was thinking how lucky we were we made the decision to put Corey at fullback and Alex on the wing," Bennett said.
"Because we were thinking about going the other way at one stage when Latrell got injured. But Alex is a genuine finisher and Corey has some lovely passes in him that link everybody up."
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