The Dolphins will prioritise securing outside backs as they finalise their inaugural roster, with head coach Wayne Bennett dismissing suggestions the NRL’s 17th franchise has yet to sign top-quality talent.
The Dolphins have been linked to Latrell Mitchell and Cameron Munster for 2024 but look set to begin their first season without a marquee man, having missed out on Kalyn Ponga, Reed Mahoney and Brandon Smith.
Bennett’s Dolphins are looking experienced in the forward pack, with brothers Kenny and Jesse Bromwich, Felise Kaufusi and Mark Nicholls all on board.
The new franchise’s spine doesn’t have the same depth but the coach said he had no cause for concern heading into the pre-season.
“I’m pretty pleased with where we’re at,” he told reporters. “It hasn’t been perfect but it’s never going to be perfect.
(Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
“We’ve got about four or five places to fill in our 30-man roster, so we’re pretty close to being where we want to be.”
Bennett rejected concerns of a lack of blue-riband talent but conceded the Dolphins needed to replenish their outside back stocks.
“I think we have some (blue-riband players) already,” he said.
“But we’re still looking for outside backs predominantly.”
A handful of NRL wingers and centres remain without contracts for 2023, with Corey Oates, Josh Mansour and James Roberts among those to have played under Bennett.
The arrival of assistant coach Kristian Woolf from English powerhouse St Helens will give the Dolphins reason to explore options overseas as well, however Bennett said attempts at luring talent from the Super League had so far proven unsuccessful.
Any signings would join Euan Aitken, Edrick and Brenko Lee, Jamayne Isaako and Robert Jennings as options in the backline.
This season has been Bennett’s first without a head coaching position since 1986 and the 72-year-old said he was ready to return to the rigours of the job.
“I’ve missed it. I haven’t missed the losses but I’ve missed the wins,” he said.
“I miss being around the players and being part of a team and working with men. I’ve always enjoyed that, it’s always challenged me.
“It’s not long now and we’ll be starting again.”
Warriors CEO Cameron George has blasted the NRL, saying it has not done enough to support them in next year’s fixture list.
The Warriors have earned widespread praise from the rugby league community for relocating to Australia during the pandemic to ensure the competition went ahead.
But George said the NRL had neglected his team when it came to scheduling future games at Mt Smart Stadium, where they will play just nine times next season.
“I was pitching to everyone that could still stand long enough to listen (about) bringing a game here and it wasn’t about us, it was about the game and the fans across New Zealand,” he told Newstalk ZB.
“We provide so much talent to the NRL and every club benefits from that, if they hadn’t played in Queensland or Victoria for three years, I’m sure as hell they’d have a lot more content than what they normally would.
“I feel like they’re trying to just turn the lights on again, but our fans deserve more than that and that’s probably the disappointing thing for me.
(Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)
“I feel like we could have got more content here if the NRL drove really hard for it.”
On top of their nine home games at Mt Smart, they’ll take two games outside Auckland and will have hosting rights at Magic Round to make up their 12-game complement.
But NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo denied the 2023 draw was completed, and said while they wouldn’t compel clubs to take games across the Tasman they’d be happy to support any that would like to.
On top of that, Abdo noted New Zealand would host the 2023 All Stars match and said it could also take a lead role on international fixtures.
“We haven’t done a draw and a season structure, we’re working on it at the moment,” he told reporters.
“Where the games are played and how many games we are going to be able to play in New Zealand is very much a work in progress, and very much a focus.
“Next year presents an opportunity for us to revitalise the international program and it’s been a long time since the Kangaroos and Kiwis have played a Test match.
“The broader season structure opens up opportunities for us to play more content in New Zealand, and we’re obviously very invested in making sure that revenue grows in New Zealand after three years.”
The Warriors are hoping Saturday’s home clash against Gold Coast will deliver a fresh start, with their 6-17 campaign wrecked by spending the first 15 games of their season based in Redcliffe, Queensland.
The Warriors want to finish hot and have Euan Aitken, Jesse Arthars and Wayde Egan back from injuries.
But halfback Shaun Johnson will miss with a calf niggle despite being named, as will backs Marcelo Montoya (knee contusion) and Rocco Berry (toe sprain).
The Titans have another chance to win back-to-back games, having yet to achieve that this season.
They were impressive in beating Newcastle 36-26 last weekend and add centre Phillip Sami to their side.
Melbourne utility Nick Meaney is set to line up in the first week of the finals despite aggravating a shoulder injury late in Thursday’s 22-14 loss to Parramatta.
Currently sharing fullback duties with Cameron Munster, Meaney was flattened in a tackle by Will Penisini as the final two minutes ticked down at CommBank Stadium.
He managed to remain on the field despite visible pain, revealing at full-time he had been battling the injury to his AC joint since round 20.
That day, Meaney landed awkwardly attempting to diffuse a kick and has been going in for needling ever since.
“I took a fall against the Warriors and landed on my head and shoulder, that’s when it started,” Meaney told reporters.
“But it’s one of those injuries you can carry and fight through the pain.”
Meaney has played 87 career games across stints at Newcastle, Canterbury and now Melbourne but is yet to feature in the finals.
He said the injury, while “nasty”, would not keep him from making his post-season debut, likely against Canberra in an elimination final next weekend.
“We’ve got a long turnaround so I’ll rest up during the week, probably get needled again next week,” he said.
“I’m looking forward to (playing finals). There’s a lot at stake so hopefully we can go out and perform well.”
For the first time since 2011, the Storm are entering the finals on the back of consecutive losses.
Melbourne’s lukewarm form has pushed them to fifth on the ladder, their third-lowest finish in the past 17 seasons.
“We’re just shooting ourselves in the foot,” Meaney said.
“We’re in the fight still and there are positive signs but it comes back to ball security, making our tackles and completing our sets.
“That’s when things start to happen for you but we’re just not doing that at the moment.”
Munster’s co-conspirator Jahrome Hughes is set to return from a calf complaint for the first week of the finals in a timely boost for Melbourne.
“Hopefully next week’s Hughesy’s back and we can try to get the job done,’ Meaney said.
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