‘We were used’: Dolphins claim re-writes script on Wayne Bennett

The Dolphins have come forward with a claim that re-writes all the rumours that surrounded the club’s “monumental blow”.

NRL:Roosters V Dolphins, Suncorp Stadium. Wayne Bennett. Picture: Patrick Woods.

Dolphins chief executive Terry Reader has revealed his club was “used” during their disastrous recruitment drive last year.

The boss of the NRL’s 17th franchise has made the startling claim despite widespread reports the team missed out on almost every marquee talent it chased heading into the club’s first season.

The Dolphins have been the undeniable Cinderella story this year after all the doom and gloom that surrounded their roster.

The Dolphins have exceeded expectations this year and will be even stronger in 2024 with Tom Flegler, Herbie Farnworth and Jake Averillo all set to join the club.

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The Dolphins this week also re-signed representative forward Tom Gilbert until the end of the 2028 season.

But there was some serious concern around the club just six moths ago.

Cameron Munster is reported to have knocked back the richest deal in NRL history from the club before he signed a four-year $4 million dollar extension to remain with Melbourne.

The deal left Bennett red-faced after such a public pursuit and he called out Munster for failing to tell him first hand about his decision.

There was also the circus that surrounded Newcastle superstar Kalyn Ponga, who ultimately decided to stay with the Knights.

The old fox has still got it. Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images.

Now Reader says the club was used by some player managers, who used the Dolphins to leverage richer deals from rival clubs.

It was last year suggested Bennett had “lost his aura” after reportedly also missing out on Harry Grant, Reece Walsh and Ryan Matterson.

Reader’s new claims re-write the script.

When asked by foxsports.com.au’s Eamonn Tiernan if it has become easier for the club’s recruitment moves since it’s impressive on-field performances this year, Reader said: “That’s an interesting question because when Herbie and Fleggy signed, we actually hadn’t played a game, but Jake has come on board since.

“But everything is a lot different now, people can feel it, smell it and see what’s happening at the club and there’s a lot to like.

“People talk about players we apparently missed out on — there was a large amount of players that we apparently missed out on who we never even spoke to. We were used conveniently with players who were in negotiations with their current clubs.

The Dolphins have been the darlings of 2023. Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images.

“When you look at how things usually work, the majority of players do stay loyal to the club they’re already at so getting big names out of a club is easier said than done.

“Then when you’re coming to a club that hasn’t existed before in the NRL, there’s no doubt that was the biggest challenge we faced.

“We were the favourites for the wooden spoon and there was not a hell of a lot of positivity written in the 18 months leading into our first game.

“But I was very proud when we ran out for our first game and we already had 32,000 at the game and 20,000 members before we even played a game.

“The club has gone from strength to strength since then.”

He said the club was prepared to wait until the right “marquee signing” presented.

“So it just depends on how you define marquee — we’ve got Origin players and premiership winners and captains of their country, so we’re quite comfortable with that and I think we’ve got more than one now.

“When putting our squad together we made sure we signed guys we thought were going to be value for us both on and off the field.

“We didn’t want to pay for something that wasn’t there and if we had to wait for the right player we would. Since we signed Hammer he’s become one of the biggest players in the competition.”

It seems Bennett never lost his aura.