Reece Walsh signs with Broncos: Where to now for Dolphins after fresh signing blow?

Six weeks ago the Warriors suspected Reece Walsh wanted to sign with the Dolphins, but the Broncos ultimately won out. So where does Wayne Bennett turn now?

Six weeks ago New Zealand Warriors chief executive Cameron George suspected his boom fullback Reece Walsh wanted to sign with the Dolphins.

At a meeting with his manager Nash Dawson in Redcliffe, the 19-year-old fullback asked for a release on compassionate grounds after splitting with his long-term partner.

George immediately assumed Walsh had been approached by former Warriors recruitment manager Peter O’Sullivan, the Dolphins recruitment guru who had been desperately looking for quality spine players.

It was O’Sullivan who originally signed Walsh when he was working for the Warriors.

At that meeting Walsh insisted he wanted to play for the Broncos, not the Dolphins.

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Reece Walsh (left), Harry Grant (top), Ryan Mattereson (middle) and Brandon Smith have all rejected the Dolphins.

George has confirmed this but declined to comment.

Not wanting the negotiations to become a media frenzy, George gave Walsh permission to talk to the Broncos but no other club in the NRL.

He actually said at the meeting: “As long as you don’t turn it into a media circus.”

Walsh obviously wanted to play for a strong club rather than the Dolphins, who are likely to struggle in their initial years.

Dolphins head coach Wayne Bennett has some big decisions to make. Picture: Steve Pohlner

The decision to take less money at the Broncos is proof of that.

So where do the Dolphins turn now?

They have already missed out on the likes Brandon Smith, Kalyn Ponga, Ryan Matterson, Harry Grant, a host of other big names, and now Walsh.

It is a huge problem for the NRL.

The game can’t afford to carry another struggling franchise.