Wayne Bennett has confirmed the Dolphins have five positions left in their roster for 2023 as the new NRL franchise continues negotiations with Brisbane fullback Tesi Niu.
Coach Bennett was at the helm of the club’s inaugural open training session attended by 600 fans on Wednesday.
With less than three months to the start of the NRL season, the Dolphins are keen to add strike power to their backline.
Bennett said it was unlikely any more players in the key halves positions would be signed for 2023 but Niu remains on his wishlist.
Niu has been given permission by the Broncos to negotiate with other clubs and Bennett confirmed the Dolphins were in discussion with the Tonga international.
“We just want quality players. That’s what we are looking for,” said Bennett.
“A couple of outside backs, and Tesi Niu is one of those guys who can help us there.
“He is like a number of other players out there we are negotiating with and talking to.”
The Dolphins have recruited Nathan Cleary’s former understudy Sean O’Sullivan from Penrith and Anthony Milford from Newcastle but Bennett warned both would have to earn the right to start – and stay – in the team.
“No one is guaranteed a position,” the coach said.
“We bought Sean because we believe he can be the halfback and Milford because we believe he can be the five-eighth.
“They have got to prove to me that they have earned that and that they have the ability to do that job. If they haven’t, we will make other decisions.”
Bennett said the only way to turn the Dolphins’ newly named Kayo Sports Stadium into a fortress was “by showing the fans we are a committed football team and doing the best for them”.
The players will train up until Christmas, have a break and return on January 4 for an eight-week block leading into the opening-round NRL clash against Sydney Roosters.
Bennett said the Dolphins would be “as ready as any other team in the competition” when the season kicks off.
“It will always come back to what they can do on the football field and that is the unknown here right now,” he said.
“We are not going to know that until March.”
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