Dolphins coach Wayne Bennett has called for “patience” amid the incoming franchise’s quest to build a squad ahead of its inaugural 2023 season.
To date, Melbourne Storm premiership-winner Felise Kaufusi is the club’s only marquee signing, after agreeing to a three-year deal.
This year’s off-season has seen several stars hit the market, including Brandon Smith, Reed Mahoney, Christian Welch and Tino Fa’asuamaleaui – all of whom have opted against joining the Dolphins despite links to the club.
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While Smith, who eventually joined the Roosters from 2023 onwards, was close to joining the NRL’s 17th franchise, Bennett isn’t panicking despite only having Kaufusi on the club’s books.
The seven-time premiership-winner said it was important the club built a club for a “lifetime” and just not one season.
“There’s a word called patience and we can’t just talk it, we have to live it at the moment,” Bennett told The Sydney Morning Herald.
“We’ll just be patient. We’re not building a team for one season, we’re building a team for a lifetime.
“It’s important that all the decisions are made for the right reasons. That’s being patient, that’s being vision making.
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“There’s a lot of water to flow under the bridge yet.”
The Dolphins will have next year’s off-season to sign players as well, and Bennett says there’s still plenty to play out.
“Coaches will get disgruntled with players throughout the season, that type of stuff. There’s another off-season in front of us. I’m not fazed,” he added.
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