‘Not going to lie’: Bennett hits back at Dolphins signing rumour

Wayne Bennett has confirmed two high-profile targets his team wants to sign, but he’s dismissed one deal that’s reportedly already been done.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 18: Sean O'Sullivan of the Panthers kicks during the round two NRL match between the St George Illawarra Dragons and the Penrith Panthers at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium, on March 18, 2022, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images)

Dolphins head coach Wayne Bennett has responded to claims that Sean O’Sullivan has been signed by the competition’s 17th side.

Throughout the entirety of his career O’Sullivan has struggled to cement himself in a starting role at his previous clubs.

While nothing has been confirmed Bennett has admitted that he would consider signing the 23-year-old.

“I’m not going to lie about this - we haven’t signed Sean O’Sullivan,” Bennett told News Corp.

“We haven’t spoken to him, but that’s not to say we wouldn’t consider Sean down the track.

“I know who’s off-contract in the NRL and O’Sullivan is off-contract and he’s a player we may well want to talk to, but as of today, there’s been no conversations, no approach, nor have we tabled an offer.”

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It comes after Phil Rothfield said on NRL 360 this week that Bennett was targeting the Panthers playmaker.

“The other thing I think we’ll find in the next few weeks will be (the Dolphins) halfback next year will be Sean O’Sullivan from the Panthers,” he said.

“He is only on a one-year deal at Penrith. He was outstanding early on. Admittedly, he was spinning the football to a great backline at Penrith.”

O’Sullivan has quite the connection with the Redcliffe based side as his father Peter is the head of the club’s recruitment.

Despite O’Sullivan’s close ties, Bennett has made it clear that association will play no part in O’Sullivan’s future.

“If he signs it will be my call in conjunction with Terry Reader (Dolphins CEO),” Bennett said.

“His father (Peter O’Sullivan) won’t be allowed to be involved. I won’t have that.

“I don’t know where we are going yet with our depth in the halves.

“Sean has shown at Penrith how useful he can be, he did a good job filling in for Cleary, but we don’t know which playmakers we will have on our books.

“A lot will depend on whether we can get guys like Cameron Munster and Anthony Milford.

“We won’t be jumping at shadows now, we have to stay patient with our recruitment because there’s still another six months to go (before the Dolphins’ first pre-season) and a lot of football to be played.

“We already have one halfback in young Katoa, but he’s only 18 and we will need more experienced guys to support him.”

While O’Sullivan’s future is still up in the air, the Dolphins have only been able to lock in a handful of players thus far (Jesse Bromwich, Kenneath Bromwich, Felise Kaufusi, Ray Stone, Mark Nicholls, Jamayne Isaako, Isaiya Katoa and Valynce Te Whare), with the club still seeking a credible half.

According to NRL rules the club will have to sign 24 players by the first Monday of November.

Originally published as ‘Not going to lie’: Bennett hits back at Dolphins signing rumour