BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA – OCTOBER 27: Wayne Bennett poses for a photo with the revealing of the Dolphins Heritage Round jersey during a Dolphins NRL press conference at Suncorp Stadium on October 27, 2021 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
Innaugural Dolphins’ coach Wayne Bennett has revealed that England could be on the agenda for the club as they attempt to recruitment 30 NRL players.
Jack Bostock was announced as the club’s newest signature to their development list on Tuesday morning, joining Harrison Graham and Michael Roberts at an announcement which also saw the club bring BlueBet on board as their jersey sponsor for the 2023 season.
The three development players sit in a squad which also features nine top 30 signings. Experienced forwards Jesse Bromwich, Kenneath Bromwich, Felise Kaufusi and Mark Nicholls, hard-hitting Eel Ray Stone, young forward Tom Gilbert, Titans back Jamayne Isaako and the uncapped duo of Isaiya Katoa and Valynce Te Whare.
The Dolphins have been routinely criticised for their recruitment strategy that has seen just nine signatures in six months, with the club needing to have 24 signatures on paper by November.
Bennett, speaking at the announcement, confirmed England will be a hunting ground for the Dolphins.
“That’s a possibility; we’ve talked to some players over there already,” Bennett said.
“When I coached (England), out of the 20-odd players … there were 20 of them in my opinion who would make good players in the NRL.”
The super coach seemed to indicate the Dolphins current predicament was better than the public realised though, with possible signatures not yet announced.
“There’s criticism we haven’t signed anybody, criticism about dad’s army and there will be criticism about something else in the future,” Bennett mused.
“My position on all that stuff is that if you start listening to the fans you’ll be sitting with them.
“We know what we’re doing, we’re confident in it and no-one’s going to distract me personally from doing what I think is the best thing in the club.
“There’s a lot of things sitting in the cupboard back home we haven’t released yet.
“No-one’s telling any lies here … it’s not in our best interests to come out and make statements (today) until we’ve got some things secured away.”
Of particular note at the club, the lack of a marquee player for the opening season has been brought up as an issue time and time again.
The club have missed multiple stars, with the latest being Kalyn Ponga, who re-signed on a new five-year deal with the Newcastle Knights a fortnight ago.
It has left the Dolphins needing a club to release a star if they are to sign one of the key men for 2023, however, Bennett said he remains of the belief the club can secure Munster.
“I’m not unconfident,” Bennett said.
“We’re still in process of talking to Melbourne, and finding out what his future is there and talking to us in between.
“We’re quite comfortable with our position … the NRL haven’t told us we are (breaking rules) so we’ll continue doing what we’re doing.”
Source:: ZeroTackle
