Wayne Bennett and son-in-law Ben Ikin have reportedly secretly patched their relationship back together after a falling out.
The pair are heading into the 2023 NRL season in direct competition as Bennett’s Dolphins prepare to take on Ikin’s Broncos in Round 4 of the NRL season — an inaugural showdown described as the Battle of Brisbane.
Ikin last year took over as Brisbane’s head of football operations and it emerged almost instantly after the announcement that Bennett had closed the door on returning to the club for a third time. It was reported at the time Ikin was comfortable working with the veteran coach despite their personal relationship falling apart six years ago.
The pair famously fell out over a family matter when Bennett left his wife Trish after 42-years. Ikin is married to Bennett’s daughter Elizabeth.
The Daily Telegraph has now revealed the pair are now on speaking terms after their feud thawed earlier in the year.
Bennett had been sensationally linked as an option to coach the club again despite having hired lawyers when he was forced out of the club in the dramatic coach swap with former Rabbitohs mentor Anthony Seibold.
The pair have been involved in separate feuds in 2022 with Ikin reportedly shunned by coach Kevin Walters during the 2022 season.
The Courier-Mail first reported in September the club moved to hold peace talks to mend the fractured relationship between the coach and the football department boss.
According to the report Walters at times kept Ikin out of the loop on decisions made. Ikin is reported to have returned to work with the Broncos without Walters being consulted.
Meanwhile, Bennett’s falling out with Queensland State of Origin superstar Cameron Munster shows no sign of ending.
Munster was close to inking a reported $1.5 million a season deal with the Dolphins that would have made him the highest paid player in the game.
Bennett was critical of Munster for not personally giving him a phone call to inform him of his decision.
News Corp reports the pair have not patched things together.
