Wayne Bennett has been officially unveiled as the inaugural coach of the Dolphins, signing a four-year deal, but debate over the club’s name threatened to overshadow the announcement.
The NRL announced last week that the Dolphins had won the race to enter the NRL in 2023, beating off bids from the Firehawks and Jets to become the fourth Queensland team in the competition.
It’s the first time a new club has been admitted since Gold Coast re-joined the competition in 2007.
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Bennett had been widely linked to the role, having expressed a desire to return to Queensland after his contract with Souths finished this season.
“I feel very privileged actually, at the start of the season I had no idea this would happen, none whatsoever,” Bennett said.
“It’s been quite a journey, we’ve got a lot of decisions to make, we’ve got to get them right.”
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Attention will now turn to the club’s roster, with players coming off contract at the end of 2022 able to sign with the Dolphins from November 1.
The 71-year-old Bennett knows exactly what’s involved in setting up a team, having served as the coach of the Brisbane Broncos when they entered the competition in 1988, a role he held until 2008.
But he says this is a totally different situation.
“This is an established club,” he explained.
“I recognise that, when we started in 1988 at the Broncos we had no club, no ground, we had virtually nothing.
“It’s a different context.”
But Bennett wouldn’t be drawn on debate over the club’s name, with reports influential figures in the area are upset the Moreton Bay area is not officially recognised.
“That’s up to these gentlemen here, they can answer that for,” he said, indicating club boss Terry Reader.
“I’ve just arrived as head coach today, I don’t want to get into any arguments.”
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