Are the Redcliffe Dolphins in crisis? Perhaps that’s a touch extreme, but after 20 days of the NRL transfer period they have sort of landed one fringe player who has an option to still stay with the Broncos. If it’s not a crisis, it’s not far off.
Firstly, I’m calling them Redcliffe because they have been that for 50-plus years, and the Dolphins are anyway synonymous with Miami, so let’s not be scared to add a regional area.
But putting that to one side, prior to 1 November all the talk was about which Queenslander (or Kiwi) they would sign. Though they are still linked with Brandon Smith, most of the other players, like Harry Grant or Cameron Munster, have recommitted to their existing teams.
Reagan Campbell-Gillard was odds-on to leave the Eels and sign with the Dolphins until Parramatta threw big money at him to stay. Since then there’s been hardly anyone linked to them who fits the bill of being off contract in 2023 and a top-tier player.
The only live option they have is Brandon Smith, who has many other options available to him. Obviously in Wayne Bennett and Peter O’Sullivan the Dolphins have recruited good foundations, but they now need to land a face for the new team, which is proving hard.
I suggest there are a few reasons for this to be happening.
With a new team entering the league there is natural inflation for player salaries as more clubs are chasing the same players, and at the moment the Dolphins are probably being used as a tool to get better deals at existing clubs, as is the case for Campbell-Gillard.
(Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
Secondly, it isn’t that easy to build a roster from scratch. Sure, you have the whole cap to spend, but generally it isn’t easy to get a top-eight roster immediately. Look at Souths when they were readmitted. They spent big on players like Bryan Fletcher and Adam Muir in their first few years and had a lot of fringe first-graders who were elevated to a level they probably weren’t all suited too.
The Titans actually had quite a good balance in 2007 and made the finals twice in their first four years. The key to that was Preston Campbell, Scott Prince and Nathan Friend, unsurprisingly their spine players, who they could build the team around.
Melbourne back in 1998 was something of an anomaly as they benefitted from the Hunter Mariners and Western/Perth Reds folding, presenting them with two teams to pick the eyes out of to create a new side.
Another possible reason is not all players are after a ‘project’ or want to do the hard yards to build a team. Look at the Roosters, who can attract players for less than market value knowing they will be playing finals and will contend for a premiership. Conversely, the Bulldogs and Tigers in recent years have had to pay over market rates to get players in given they will probably be watching football in September as opposed to playing.
Looking at players who may be available in 2023, the Dolphins need to find quality in their spine and build from there. Though they are in contention for Brandon Smith, it will be a big part of the salary cap. Arguably Reed Mahoney would be a cheaper option given he’s younger, he’s from the wider catchment area and he hasn’t been in trouble off the field.
Kodi Nikorima seems a logical choice as well. He wants to stay in the region, has a year on his contract and can play multiple positions. In an ideal world, Kalyn Ponga would be a great investment as the face of the team – he plays No. 1, kicks goals and is developing into a leader.
Patience could be a key part of the Dolphins strategy. The reality is they don’t kick off in anger until March 2023, so they have time to develop the roster. The patience comes in during the 2022 season, when teams will be looking to offload players for 2023 or players will be looking for new options. It’s something of a high-risk option to wait, but by doing so they could potentially pick up some players below market value.
Potential options could be Luke Brooks, Jack Wighton and Nick Cotric, who are already potentially on their way out of their respective clubs, which could be accelerated further with bad starts to 2022 for their teams.
Further down the M1 could be a hunting ground too, with players like Tyson Gamble possibly not getting as much game time in 2022. He could make a move up the road. It will be an advantage to the Dolphins being close to the Titans and Broncos, as players will have the ability to stay in the same region but still play NRL, similar to the advantage Sydney teams have with player movement not affecting personal lives too much.
The off-season has started slow in terms of signings for 2023, and hopefully the Dolphins can nail some signings soon so we can see what the roster will look like. My only suggestion to those players is not to get caught having a photo with Wayne in a Dolphins jersey!
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
Knights fullback Kalyn Ponga shuts down potential move to The Dolphins, denies contract talks with Wayne Bennett . Newcastle fullback Kalyn Ponga has shut down the ongoing rumours linking him with a move to expansion club The Dolphins, and is remaining committed to the Knights. . During a press conference after returning for pre-season on Wednesday, Ponga was quizzed about his future and the potential move to Redcliffe – but the fullback brushed it aside and revealed he’s had no discussions at this point. . “No thoughts or discussion there from me,” he said. . “No I haven’t (spoken to Bennett)…I’ve seen a couple of articles, I don’t like to read that sort of stuff,” he said. . “The carrot dangling is a premiership at the end of this year. I’m excited to win that I want to get after that. That’s the carrot for me and it has been the last year, the year before. . “I just want to build on the back of last year and be better, more connected as a team. I’m excited for that.” . https://www.msn.com/en-au/sport/news/knights-fullback-kalyn-ponga-shuts-down-potential-move-to-the-dolphins-denies-contract-talks-with-wayne-bennett/ar-AAR47pf?ocid=msedgdhp&pc=U531
Contego
Guest
Moe does most of David’s work, Tino takes the next hit up
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
I agree with your judgement of Sam Walker's talents and future prospects, but as for Ponga running rings around Cody Walker... :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: No, seriously. Look at the Dally M points in 2021 and the NRL 2021 highlights reel. Ponga has slipped back to the field. He needs a big year in 2022 just to get back to his past reputation.
Rob
Guest
No He’s running rings around Cody Walker his passing, catching, hand skill and football IQ. Ponga’s footwork and speed are very good but his vision and hands are a superior weapon. It’s vastly under utilised at FB. Young Sam Walker is more cunning and wise beyond his years. He will obviously torment and dominate in the years to come.
Redcap
Roar Guru
Yes, exactly.
Opposed Session
Roar Rookie
That stats is correct but that’s because you can not miss tackle you do not attempt to make.
mushi
Roar Guru
It is you that keeps referencing the pact. Now you're saying the pact never occurred and you've lied every time. Fair enough, fits your MO. It's up to you either terms existed or the agreement didn't. I'm fine either way.
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
"you entered into it in bad faith" No. I said I was going to speak my mind and your threats to get me banned or "cancelled" were not going to intimidate me and force me into silence. They were the terms of our imaginary contract that you have broken so I will see you in imaginary court where you will no doubt call on a stream of imaginary friends as character witnesses in your defence. :laughing: :laughing: :laughing:
mushi
Roar Guru
Well you entered into it in bad faith so not much I could do. Also happy for you to take me to court for breach of contract and argue that post was unsolicited.
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
21 unsolicited comments to me today... Clearly, our mutual exclusion pact isn't worth the paper it's not written on. :laughing:
mushi
Roar Guru
"Never refuted by the roosters" So your entire thesis is it must be true because no one told you specifically otherwise. Wow, and you want me stop responding to your diatribes of ignorance or calling out your repeated factual mistakes? You don't see the issue there at all? Also you recently used Morris at 500k from years ago and just discovered a multidecade rule suggesting the reliability of your knowledge is like relying on Sam Burgess' fidelity.
mushi
Roar Guru
Agreed there's no pathway to immediate competitiveness. Spend big will just delay it all.
Adam Bagnall
Roar Guru
Christian Welch looks likely to be retained by the Storm and Brendan Smith will decide between the Dolphins and Roosters and they were chasing Carrigan from the Broncos but he will likely stay with them. If Smith chooses the Roosters, you have to wonder who they can sign as a marquee player. Corey Norman might spend a year in Q Cup before being unveiled as the face of the Dolphins
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
Josh McGuire and skills is an oxymoron (a contradictory term that is mutually exclusive). Look under synonyms for "grub" and "Dog shot artist" and you will find Josh McGuire's name there.
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
"No rush, no panic" You know what happens when you take too long to sit down when playing musical chair. Rellum? Someone else ends up taking your seat and you are left standing looking like a goose. RCG, Munster, Welch, Carrigan... it's a growing list and Brandon Smith is at best a 50/50 prospect if that. Given the current trend if the Dolphins don't have some success soon then the list of players who don't want to sign with the Dolphins will be longer than the squad they end up with. Dolphins dealt double blow as TWO star targets eye monster extensions with current clubs The Dolphins have been dealt another major blow with Christian Welch and Patrick Carrigan both set to re-sign with their current clubs. https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/dolphins-dealt-double-blow-as-two-star-targets-eye-monster-extensions-with-current-clubs/news-story/5da09fd1cc6954185f10490e1703c036
matth
Roar Guru
Either way he will be at the beach.
Hard Yards
Roar Rookie
Very true. He is. I've no problem in principle if he wants to retire to the Dolphins and play a couple of seasons. But I would prefer to see him call it a day at the Sea Eagles. But Manly have had plenty of value from him , and I'm sure would be behind whatever his heart was pulling him to.
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
"I believe a spine of Boyd, Norman, Brooks and Hunt, with Maguire dusting off his old dummy half skills as a super sub is on the cards." Tigers fans will be already celebrating at the prospect mate. Best not to give them false hopes. The poor buggers have suffered enough already. :silly:
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
"If Darius is defence coach... no Dolphin will lay a hand on Cody or any of them, other than shaking hands with them at the end of the match." One of your best, matth. :laughing: :laughing: :laughing:
matth
Roar Guru
Maybe we can go the full trio and bring Milford in for commitment and direction as well. Scary thing is, all that is possible ...