Wayne Bennett was at his Wayne Bennett best during Thursday's NRL grand final press conference.
The traditional grand final breakfast has long been done away with and a lunch held three days before the decider last season gave way to an official press conference this year.
But little has changed in the world of Bennett and his pithyisms.
The supercoach, who has an incredible 7-0 record in grand finals, set the tone for proceedings throughout a low-key 25 minutes in a cosy function room overlooking the NRL's fan zone at Darling Harbour ahead of Sunday's decider between Brisbane and North Queensland.
"So how do you do it Wayne, how do you get teams over the line, when so many others fail?," came the question early on that so many, including Brian Smith, would love to know the answer to.
Pause.
"No idea," came the reply.
"You must have some idea?"
Pause.
"I might have a little idea, but I'm not going to say it."
Almost like clockwork when Bennett returned to Brisbane, where he has won six premierships, after six years away and they are back into the grand final.
"So how is this week different?" Bennett was asked.
"I haven't had enough time to compare this one yet," the former Queensland and Australian mentor replied.
Broncos Justin Hodges, Corey Parker and Sam Thaiday and Cowboys Johnathan Thurston, Matt Scott and Michael Morgan in many ways took their cue from Bennett playing down a number of questions put to them.
Bennett almost gave more away than he wanted when he said his Cowboys counterpart Paul Green, who did an apprenticeship under Bennett, was a good coach because he taught as well as he coached.
"Wayne what do you mean some coaches don't teach?" came the next question.
"You work it out," Bennett replied.
Are you talking about life, about football?
"Just what I said."
"Can you elaborate Wayne?"
"You want me to do all the work for you. Well not today."
Grand final week: just another week in Wayne's World.
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