NSW Origin legend Benny Elias who will lead the NSW team in this years Ladbrokes Origin Greyhound Series. Picture: Box 1 Photography
You would struggle to find a more passionate New South Welshman than the man who bleeds blue, Benny Elias.
He’s naturally hurting after last year’s Origin loss and is determined and confident that his NSW side can make amends in 2026.
The man who played 19 State of Origin games for NSW, who captained the side on six occasions and was part of five NSW series victories between 1985 and 1994, is like all NSW supporters hoping for a victory next Wednesday night in Melbourne to seal a Blues’ rugby league Origin series win.
However, Elias also has another Origin revenge on his mind.
The Balmain league legend will again coach the NSW team in the Ladbrokes Origin Greyhound Series, which will be staged at the Q2 Parklands venue on Thursday, June 25.
Elias coached the NSW team for the first time last year, replacing his former Origin teammate Laurie Daley, who had led the team in 2024 following the tragic passing of the previous coach Terry Hill – another of Elias’ Origin teammates – just months earlier.
With Daley taking on the league Origin coaching position in 2025, Elias stepped up, but just like Daley, suffered a 2-1 loss to the Queenslanders.
“It was a real honour taking over last year and particularly following on from what Terry had done previously,” Elias said.
“And it doesn’t matter whether it’s football or greyhound racing or whatever, that true competitiveness comes out.
“I guess some might say it was justice that Queensland won the dog series as they also won the footy Origin, but hopefully with a win in Melbourne next Wednesday, by the time we get to our event, the State of Origin footy will be wrapped up for NSW and we can put the icing on the cake with a greyhound Origin win.”
Squads for the series were announced on June 8, with the final teams of four greyhounds for the sprinters’ event, four for the stayers’ event, a greyhound for the match-race and one reserve to be finalised on Friday, June 19.
Another change this year is the Queenslanders have brought in Origin icon, Allan Langer to replace Ben Hannant as their coach.
“I look forward to butting heads with my good mate Alfie,” Elias said.
“I caught up with him last week and had a great chat about it and he’s looking forward to the series as well.
“Alfie loves the dogs… he loves a punt full stop, but he’s really into it and it will be great rekindling time with Alfie and both of us will share the love of the dogs.”
Elias admits when he took the role on last year, it was met with some trepidation from his friends.
“Sure I’ve been to the TAB and watched the dogs and trots and the GGs (thoroughbreds), but this experience last year was a real eye-opener for me as to how good the industry is,” he said.
“I had some people asking me what I was doing getting involved in the dogs, but if I had thought there was any cruelty or anything like that, I wouldn’t be a part of it, and I would speak up about it.
“The greyhounds are as well looked after as any animal I know of, including horses.
“The way they are treated is amazing.
“I was totally blown over by it, and I am proud to tell anyone how good it is, and that I am involved.”
This article was produced as part of an ACM partnership with Greyhound Racing NSW.
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