Money talks but Wendell Sailor reckons master coach Wayne Bennett won't be listening when he contemplates his future.

Cashed-up Russell Crowe and Nathan Tinkler are expected to go head-to-head for Bennett's signature as the seven-time premiership mentor weighs up his plans beyond 2011.

Crowe has turned around South Sydney's fortunes while self-made billionaire Tinkler is hoping to do the same at Newcastle.

However, Sailor believes cash won't determine where Bennett applies his Midas touch in 2012.

Still a Dragon at heart, Sailor said on Thursday he would "hate" to see Bennett leave St George Illawarra for Newcastle or Souths - but did not rule out a Broncos return.

"I love what he has done for the Dragons, not only for the club but for the community," he said.

"If the Broncos get him back good luck to him, but I would hate to see him go to somewhere like South Sydney or Newcastle."

Sailor gave Tinkler and Crowe a timely insight into what made the great man tick.

"Wayne is not about money, it's about challenges," he said of his former Broncos and Dragons coach.

"When he wanted to go to the Cowboys (a move reportedly aborted by the North Queensland board) it wasn't about money.

"You are talking about the greatest coach of rugby league.

"He doesn't need money. He's not a big drinker, not a big spender, I think he eats a lot of chocolate - that's about it."

On Bennett's possible Broncos return, Sailor said: "I am not sure what they are thinking there - I just thought it was tough to let a coach (Ivan Henjak) go three weeks before the season starts.

"But who wouldn't want to get Wayne back?

"And when I think about the Broncos I think Wayne Bennett, Allan Langer, Darren Lockyer."

Bennett has refused to comment about his future, adding further fuel to speculation about him.

But Sailor did not believe it would distract the Dragons as they looked to defend their premiership.

The Dragons kick off their defence against Gold Coast Titans at Skilled Park on Saturday night.

"They will be able to shut that out," he said.

"What I have seen in the change of culture at the Dragons is that the boys believe in themselves.

"There is a good senior leadership group with guys like (Dean) Young, (Ben) Creagh, Ben Hornby - they know their roles.

"Wayne's decision is going to be up to Wayne."

Asked about the Dragons going back to back, Sailor said: "At some stage they will probably have a lull.

"The first month is going to test them out - four away games.

"It's about mental toughness.

"People are going to come out at them hard and fast all year because they are the premiers.

"(But) they have shown already they have the right ingredients to go back to back."

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP