The armchair critics have had a field day, but few of them probably realise there have been few men who have done more for the Blues than the under-fire coach.
Supercoach Wayne Bennett has lashed the latest suggestions South Sydney's synthetic turf training surface might behind the NRL club's concerning injury toll.
Mark Geyer was one of the biggest signings in Western Reds history. Now his son has followed his lead by joining the Bears for their first year in the NRL.
The South Sydney talisman suffered injury at training on Monday, just as he had been hoping to return from the back issue that had sidelined him since round nine.