'Cold hard fact': 'Real worry' facing Bennett

Rival clubs, subordinate managers and the NRL person done the Dolphins nary favours successful the build-up to their debut play successful the NRL.

While determination is overmuch excitement astir the game's newest franchise and the instrumentality of maestro manager Wayne Bennett for 1 past hurrah, the acold hard information is the Dolphins' recruitment has fallen abbreviated of the mark.

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Managers utilized the Dolphins arsenic a bargaining spot to rise the terms of players astatine their existing clubs and contempt overmuch hard enactment down the scenes, Bennett was incapable to travel up with that much-needed marquee signing.

Coach Wayne Bennett chats with Tom Gilbert during a Dolphins NRL grooming league astatine Kayo Stadium connected January 24, 2023 successful Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images) (Getty)

As a result, the Dolphins person a coagulated but unspectacular squad and are blistery favourites to instrumentality retired the woody spoon successful their maiden campaign.

2022 finishing position: n/a

Gains: Euan Aitken (Warriors), Jesse Bromwich (Storm), Kenny Bromwich (Storm), Tom Gilbert (Cowboys), Edrick Lee (Knights), Brenko Lee (Broncos), Connelly Lemuelu (Cowboys), Robert Jennings (Panthers), Jamayne Isaako (Titans), Felise Kaufusi (Storm), Jeremy Marshall-King (Bulldogs), Anthony Milford (Knights), Mark Nicholls (Rabbitohs), Kodi Nikorima (Rabbitohs), Sean O'Sullivan (Panthers), Ray Stone (Eels), Isaiya Katoa (Panthers), Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (Cowboys), Mason Teague (Panthers), Jarrod Wallace (Titans), Herman Ese'ese (Titans), Poasa Faamausili (Dragons), Tesi Niu (Broncos).

Tom Gilbert passes the shot during a Dolphins NRL grooming league astatine Kayo Stadium connected February 03, 2023 successful Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images) (Getty)

Losses: nil

Best 17: Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Jamayne Isaako, Tesi Niu, Brenko Lee, Edrick Lee, Anthony Milford, Sean O'Sullivan, Jesse Bromwich, Jeremy Marshall-King, Tom Gilbert, Felise Kaufusi, Kenny Bromwich, Ray Stone

Bench: Kodi Nikorima, Euan Aitken, Mark Nicholls, Jarrod Wallace.

Best buy: Jeremy Marshall-King started 2022 arsenic a battler but finished the twelvemonth arsenic 1 of the game's signifier hookers. A subordinate connected the rise, helium volition support absorption defences honorable astir the rucks.

Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow runs with the shot during a Dolphins NRL grooming league astatine Kayo Stadium connected February 03, 2023 successful Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images) (Getty)

Biggest loss: n/a

Greatest strength: The enthusiasm of being a caller nine and the acquisition of Bennett are 2 things successful the Dolphins' favour arsenic they instrumentality connected the large boys of the NRL - but volition it construe into galore wins? I uncertainty it.

Biggest question mark: A deficiency of existent people players - particularly successful cardinal positions - shapes arsenic a existent interest for the Dolphins.

Man nether pressure: Sean O'Sullivan played immoderate large footy past twelvemonth erstwhile deputising for Nathan Cleary steering the squad astir the park. But that was astatine premiers Penrith - doing the aforesaid for the caller boys connected the artifact volition beryllium a existent challenge.

Predicted 2023 finishing position: 17th (last)

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