Former Dolphins coach Wayne Bennett has boldly predicted the expansion club will become one of the great sides of the competition within the next “two or three years”.
In his final public speaking appearance as a member of the Dolphins, Bennett delivered a speech at the club’s Arthur Beetson Medal presentation.
The 74-year-old, who is heading to South Sydney on a three-year deal from 2025, said he has plenty of faith in new Dolphins coach Kristian Woolf and the rest of the coaching staff to keep the club on an upward trajectory.
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“When I look at the Dolphins’ future I have great confidence in it,” Bennett said.
“I’ve got great confidence in all these men and we’ve got some wonderful young players. I have no doubt about their future.
“I’m confident in Kristian. I worked with him for two years and he was great to work with. He’ll do a wonderful job and he’s got a team here that’s ready to play for him.
“Nathan Fien (assistant coach) is staying on and he’ll be part of the package that will help the Dolphins become one of the great sides of the competition.
“It’ll be another two or three years away yet, but it will happen.”
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The Dolphins have exceeded expectations over their first two seasons, with Bennett getting the absolute most out of a team who haven’t exactly been spoiled for depth.
While it was disappointing they couldn’t progress to the finals in 2024 after sitting in the top eight the vast majority of the season, there was plenty of improvement on their debut campaign.
“We went out and played with pride, passion and the things I believe all rugby league teams should have and we delivered on that,” Bennett said.
“I set the standards but they (senior players) lived them and drove the players. The players didn’t take too much driving, they were outstanding.”
Bennett would also say he “was as proud” as he has been of a team during his distinguished 37 years in coaching.
“There is a great team here and their time will come,” he continued.
“The stepping stones are already there – the comradeship, the mateship and playing for each other.
“We did that better than most teams I’ve coached for a long time.”
Bennett was keen to sign a few steely veterans to help jump-start the Dolphins’ NRL story, including former Kiwis skipper Jesse Bromwich, who retired at season’s end.
In one of the more touching moments of the night, several of Bromwich’s teammates performed a haka to their outgoing skipper.
While a raft of footy smarts head out the door in Bennett and Bromwich, Dolphins fans should be excited about what is in store.
In addition to exciting young half Isaiya Katoa, 2024 Arthur Beetson Medal winner Max Plath, strike centre Herbie Farnworth and hooker Jeremy Marshall-King, the Dolphins will also welcome former NSW prop Daniel Saifiti (Knights), talented outside back Junior Tupou (Tigers) and hard running back rower Kulikefu Finefeuaki (Cowboys) to the club from next season in what has been an excellent recruitment haul.
Source Agencies
