Monday Buzz: Why NRL clubs should embrace, not reject, new franchise the Dolphins
The Dolphins could be set up to fail in their first season unless the NRL steps in to helps the new franchise, writes PHIL ROTHFIELD.
NRL
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NRL clubs should be trying to help the Dolphins, not screw them over.
The game needs and will benefit from the 17th team being strong and competitive.
AFL clubs made extraordinary sacrifices when the GWS Giants and the Gold Coast Suns first came into the competition.
The new teams got huge draft concessions that allowed them to secure the AFL’s best young players.
Over a decade they also got $100 million more in funding than many of their rivals.
All up the GWS got $203 million and the Suns $197 million between 2012 and 2021.
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Adelaide, Freemantle, Hawthorn, West Coast, Geelong and Collingwood all got less than $100 million from the AFL over the same period.
It gave the new clubs an enormous start.
The NRL is in a better position in that the Dolphins don’t need money.
They are backed by one of the country’s most successful licensed clubs and own their own ground, a shopping centre and have overall assets of more than $100 million.
They also have a strong junior base that will help long term.
What has become obvious is that they need help securing talent in their initial years.
The last thing the NRL needs is another uncompetitive outfit like the Titans, Wests Tigers or Warriors. It’s bad for the game, the broadcasters, the sponsors and the fans.
What happened last week with the Broncos signing boom 19-year-old Reece Walsh from the Warriors was wrong.
The Dolphins didn’t even get the opportunity to have a crack at him.
This is another example of the inconsiderate attitude of many of the NRL clubs.
To hell with the Dolphins. Who cares? Let them struggle.
Penrith have been blowing up because the Dolphins have signed a few of their best juniors.
These are kids who would otherwise be stuck behind their established premiership-winning stars for years and are simply looking for an opportunity to play NRL.
Melbourne Storm have been complaining too.
They have offered superstar Cameron Munster a deal way below his market value.
Probably about $400,000-a-season less than he can get at a rival club.
Yet they complain to the NRL about the Dolphins going in so hard from him.
Now the Newcastle Knights are trying to convince Anthony Milford to backflip on a handshake agreement with Wayne Bennett.
All clubs need to look at the bigger picture.
The introduction of the Dolphins brought an extra $100 million into the game in the new five-year TV broadcast deal with Fox Sports and Channel 9.
This means the Dolphins’ annual grant is already paid for – plus there is more money for the 16 existing clubs – from their inclusion in the competition.
No one is asking the 16 clubs to make financial sacrifices like the AFL clubs did.
But somehow the Dolphins need to be given an initial leg-up.
Maybe an extra $1 million a year in the salary cap for their first three seasons.
Maybe first crack at players like Reece Walsh or Luke Brooks if he is to ask the Wests Tigers for a release at the end of the season.
And maybe a different attitude from the likes of the Panthers and Storm.
In the long run a successful Dolphins franchise will build a bigger financial pie for the game.
And that means a bigger share from the revenue for everyone.
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