NRL Market Watch: Dolphins’ backline takes shape with Test centre Oliver Gildart set to sign

The Dolphins have continued their recruitment drive ahead of their first season in the NRL with super coach Wayne Bennett set to snare a British international.

Oliver Gildart played twice for the Roosters last season. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

The Dolphins have continued their recruitment drive with super coach Wayne Bennett set to snare British international Oliver Gildart from the Wests Tigers.

Gildart was contracted to the Tigers for next season but the wooden spooners have released the Englishman from the final year of his contract to embark on a fresh chapter under Bennett at the Dolphins.

Bennett gave Gildart his England debut in 2018 and now the pair will again join forces for the Dolphins’ foundation season in the NRL in 2023.

Granted a release by the Tigers, Gildart will begin negotiations immediately with the Dolphins with a view to inking a $100,000 deal to be part of history at the NRL’s 17th franchise.

The Dolphins expect to finalise the deal in the coming days ahead of a formal announcement next week.

Wests Tigers CEO Justin Pascoe confirmed Gildart’s departure from the club.

Oliver Gildart played eight NRL games in his debut season with Wests Tigers.

“We were all excited for Oliver after he made the big decision to move to the other side of the world,” said Pascoe.

“He was always positive and well respected within the group, and it was a privilege to be able to share his NRL debut with his family here in Australia.

“We wish Oliver the very best with his career going forward and thank him for his efforts during his time with us.”

The 26-year-old arrived at the Tigers from Super League side Wigan and played eight games this season for the joint-venture club before joining the Roosters on loan for the back end of the 2022 campaign.

After two matches for the Roosters, Gildart was contracted to return to the Tigers next season, but the winger or centre has been given permission to open talks with the Dolphins.

Gildart has played all four of his internationals under the tutelage of former England coach Bennett, including Great Britain’s clash against Tonga on the historic 2019 Lions tour.

The impending signing of Gildart leaves the Dolphins with just four vacancies in their 30-man roster ahead of their inaugural pre-season starting on Monday week.

The Dolphins snared speed machine Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow from the Cowboys a fortnight ago and Gildart will add depth to a threequarter line featuring Jamayne Isaako, Robert Jennings and former Queensland Origin duo Edrick and Brenko Lee.

Oliver Gildart played twice for the Roosters last season. Picture: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

BRONCOS TO BLOOD NEXT CAMERON SMITH

The Broncos are ready to unleash the next Cameron Smith on the NRL after promoting whizkid Blake Mozer to their NRL squad for Brisbane’s premiership push next season.

Brisbane will launch their 2023 pre-season on Monday week and teenage hooker Mozer has been added to the Broncos’ full-time roster following the departure of veteran rake Jake Turpin to the Roosters.

Still only 18, Mozer is rated one of the finest hooking talents to emerge from the Queensland system in recent years and has been likened to NRL legend Smith with his guile and vision out of dummy half.

Queensland league scouts believe Mozer is more advanced than Smith at the same age, a significant critique given the former Storm champion’s rise to become the most-capped player in Origin and NRL history.

Such is Brisbane’s regard for Mozer, the classy rake trained with the Broncos’ top squad as a 17-year-old last summer and is being groomed to make his NRL debut next season.

Blake Mozer was man of the match in Souths Logan’s Mal Meninga Cup win this season.

While Billy Walters and Cory Paix will be Brisbane’s frontline No.9s next season, the Broncos have a succession plan in place and believe Mozer has the talent and work ethic to be a 10-year hooker for the club.

“Blake will be in our full-time squad this pre-season,” said Broncos Academy and recruitment chief Simon Scanlan.

“He is an outstanding young talent, one of the best we have ever had come through the Academy.

“He has a similar physique to Cameron Smith. He is tall for a hooker, he is lean up top but he has very strong legs, just like Cam Smith.

“He is coming off a couple of surgeries, so the main focus for Blake is to get some weight on and establish himself regularly in the Queensland Cup with a view to debuting at some stage (in the NRL) in 2023.

“I expect him to debut at some stage at the back half of the year. This year is more of a development year for Blake, rather being a regular week to week in the NRL.

Broncos rookie Blake Mozer says his hero is Queensland Origin legend Cameron Smith.

“The big thing is he wants to win and he wants to be the best.

“When you have a kid who not only has talent but has the work ethic and desire to be the best, that’s when you get a star.”

Mozer started this season on a development deal, but wary of poaching threats, the Broncos have upgraded the former Keebra Park High skipper, who is contracted until the end of 2025.

Mozer stands at 183cm — the same height as the NRL legend — and plays with the same guile, vision and composure at dummy half that saw Smith become peerless in his craft.

Mozer enjoyed a superb 2022 season. He claimed man of the match honours for Souths Logan in their Mal Meninga Cup grand final win, represented the Maroons under-19s and went on to make his Queensland Cup debut.

Earlier this season, Mozer revealed Smith was his inspiration as he outlined his goal to play NRL in 2023.

Blake Mozer trained with the Broncos’ top squad this season at just 17. Picture: Liam Kidston

“Cam Smith has always been my hero,” Mozer said.

“If I had to choose someone from the Broncos, I would say Darren Lockyer, but being a hooker, I loved watching Cam Smith.

“I liked the fact he wasn’t the fastest player, but he didn’t have to use speed or strength to get the better of his opponents.

“He just used his brain and his knowledge of the game and that’s how I like to play my footy, I like to out-think the opposition.

“I see my future at the Broncos. I would love to debut for the Broncos next season and hopefully spend my entire career with the club.”

Scanlan lauded Mozer’s dedication on and off the field.

“Blake is highly intelligent at school, he works really hard on his education,” he said.

“Blake is a very smart player, he will always take the right option. He is not a selfish player, he will take the best option for the team and that makes him very good.

“He has so much time for a young bloke. What he does at junior level is what works at senior level. He isn’t just running over the top of smaller kids, the stuff he does will work in the NRL. Blake would want to play NRL tomorrow, but we will be patient with him.”

Originally published as NRL Market Watch: Dolphins’ backline takes shape with Test centre Oliver Gildart set to sign