'Not what he used to be': Bennett written off

1 year ago 55

Wayne Bennett "is not what helium utilized to be" according to Brisbane large Wendell Sailor, pursuing the Dolphins' failed pursuit of a marquee subordinate for their inaugural year.

The Queensland-based squad volition vie successful the 2023 NRL play having signed the likes of Felise Kaufusi, Anthony Milford, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Bromwich brothers, Jesse and Kenny.

But Cameron Munster's signature was the 1 they coveted most.

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The Queensland Origin and Australian Kangaroos prima was acceptable to go the game's highest-paid subordinate if helium accepted the Dolphins' lucrative connection to caput north. But helium chose to enactment astatine the Storm.

Apart from their pursuit of Munster, the Dolphins tried to lure Kalyn Ponga, Harry Grant, Jahrome Hughes and Stephen Crichton, each to nary avail.

Those negotiations failed aft the caller franchise was fixed little than 18 months to motion a competitory squad pursuing the licence granted to them by the NRL successful October 2021.

Sailor acknowledged the Dolphins and legendary manager Bennett were dealt a hard manus with the deficiency of clip afforded, yet the dual planetary said helium was "surprised" his erstwhile mentor could not onshore a large name.

"The magic of Wayne Bennett is that he's capable to motion a marquee player," Sailor said connected Triple M.

"But obviously, Ponga, Munster, I cognize for a information helium thought helium had Munster… but this is the magic of Wayne Bennett usually, being capable to get marquee players and precocious illustration players.

"I personally deliberation the Dolphins needed a two-year pb in, not 1 twelvemonth and it is proving hard now.

"I deliberation Wayne, on with immoderate of his recruitment people, they astir apt would person had the assurance to execute a fewer deal.

"But unfortunately, I americium not saying helium hasn't got the Midas touch, but helium is not what helium utilized to be, Bennett."

Why Munster re-signed with Melbourne

Following Munster's determination to enactment enactment successful Melbourne, Bennett expressed his displeasure implicit the star's determination to not telephone him personally to archer him helium would not beryllium joining the NRL's newest team.

"It's a telephone telephone nary of america privation to make, but you privation to beryllium a man, you person to behave similar one," Bennett said astatine the time.

Munster said helium felt "animosity" towards Bennett aft being made alert of the Dolphins' coach's comments.

He said his manager advised him not to marque the telephone to Bennett earlier his determination to enactment with the Storm was leaked.

"They threw my sanction successful the media and I was beauteous disrespected, saying I wasn't antheral capable to ringing him. I had each volition to, but aft those comments, we felt similar it was successful the champion interests conscionable to permission it alone," helium said.

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