Dolphins in ‘conversations’ with Reese Walsh’s management as exit talks grow louder
The Dolphins have reportedly had set their eyes on a major signing to bring one of Queenslands brightest stars back home.
NRL
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The management of Warriors young gun Reece Walsh has reportedly had conversations with the Dolphins, amid reports he is “unsettled” at the New Zealand club, according to Triple M’s Ben Dobbin.
Walsh is currently based in Redcliffe with the Warriors and could stay in the Sunshine State after 2022.
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But the 19-year-old’s links to the Dolphins are getting stronger, over a move to his former club the Broncos or the Cowboys, according to Dobbin.
“That is very true (he wants out), but where he lands ... Brisbane made a commitment to keep Tesi Niu. They are all-in on Tesi Niu at the present moment and very happy with how he’s going,” he said on Triple M’s The Rush Hour.
“Reece Walsh left when he had the first opportunity, and that hasn’t been any way forgotten by Brisbane. Yes, he’s a great player, but isn’t it funny that there’s a new side next year called the Dolphins? And wouldn’t they love - they’re not gonna get Kalyn Ponga - but wouldn’t he be ready-made to wear the No.1 jersey for the Dolphins?
“I’m hearing they’re having conversations, I’m hearing that Dolphins and Reece Walsh’s management have had conversations, and if there’s to be in any way a parting of the ways - because he’s got family here, he’s got a child here that he has to see, he doesn’t want to go over to New Zealand and not see his child.
“That would be a place for him if he doesn’t re-sign with the Broncos, the Dolphins would be a great landing spot.”
Walshi isn’t the only one either.
The Dolphins are reportedly on the hunt for Cowboys young gun Jeremiah Nanai to add to their experienced forward signings.
Wayne Bennett and the 17th NRL club are said to be chasing the back-rower’s signature according to the Courier Mail.
Football operations chief Michael Luck has hit back at the Dolphins potential play, tabling a lucrative extension to ensure Nanai is a Cowboys player for years to come.
Nanai, 18 and 20-year-old Heilum Luki are considered the most exciting due to come out of North Queensland since Jason Taumalolo’s introduction in 2010.
As the vultures circle, Luck is backing his club to table offers which rival those tabled by other clubs, keeping young guns in North Queensland.
“We’re confident our offer will be as good as anyone else’s to keep Nanai and Heilum at the Cowboys,” Luck said.
“We have been in discussions for a few months with Jeremiah. He is a good young guy and a great talent, so it doesn’t surprise me that there’s plenty of suitors wanting his signature.
“He is in a position now where he will sign a reasonable money contract.
“He is only 18, but we’ve been in constant dialogue over the last few months and we are continuing to stay in touch with his manager. We will give Jeremiah all the support he needs to make a final decision.
“The way our club was set up was to allow North Queensland’s best young kids to play in the NRL without leaving their home region and Jeremiah ticks those boxes.
“We’re equally confident of keeping Luki.”
At such a young age, Nanai would be a brilliant addition to the Dolphins seven signings which includes the Bromwich brothers and Felise Kaufusi from the Storm.
He made his debut in round 22, scoring a try against the Tigers, playing the final foru games of the 2021 season.
Another player the Dolphins have eyes on is the Broncos’Selwyn Cobbo.
Brisbane are set to table a multi-year extension more than $1 million in the coming weeks in a bid to stave off Bennett, who cannot table a formal offer until November 1.
Cobbo will make his representative debut lining up for the Indigenous All Stars next Saturday night.
The 19-year-old showed plenty of promise in his debut NRL season last year, playing seven games in the centres and on the wing.
Bennett has a massive rap on Cobbo, who was the first Indigenous school captain at Murgon State High in regional Queensland.
The talented outside back is currently contracted at the Broncos until the end of 2023.
The Dolphins have already snared Brisbane winger Jamayne Isaako and are eyeing English centre Herbie Farnworth, but Broncos football chief Ben Ikin said the club wanted to lock up Cobbo long-term.
“Selwyn is contracted to the Broncos for another two years,” he said.
“He has been in our system for a long time and we think really highly of him.
“We’d love for him to stay long-term so when the time is right we will enter negotiations in an attempt to keep him at the club.”
Cobbo’s manager Tas Bartlett has held multiple meetings with the Dolphins in recent months, according to The Courier Mail.
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