Wayne Bennett reckons criticism of NSW pair Josh Dugan and Blake Ferguson for drinking on a day off before State of Origin is a case of media "hysterics", suggesting Queensland players were probably doing the same thing.
Dugan and Ferguson are under investigation for their alleged eight-hour session at the Lennox Point Hotel, five days out from last week's series decider at Suncorp Stadium.
Bennett, who last coached the Maroons in 2003, said it was a "waste of time" worrying about it.
"I just thought it was one of those media beat-ups again," Bennett told reporters on Wednesday.
"There's been a bit of hysteria when we don't really need it.
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"The question (should) be how many Queensland players had a drink on Friday or Saturday? I bet you they weren't perfect either."
Bennett said it probably would have been a talking point in the media even if the Blues had won.
"There's a difference between having a few beers and being drunk and out of control," he said.
"We lock these guys up for 10 days. I don't know what they think they're going to do with them.
"They get bored. They're young men.
"You guys (the media) know a hell of a lot more behind the scenes than you want to publicly say, so the bottom line is I don't think it was out of order what they did.
"They came home in a pretty good state."
