NRL transfers: Matty Johns weighs in on Dolphins’ pursuit of Kalyn Ponga

Andrew Johns may be filthy over Kalyn Ponga’s decision to meet up with Wayne Bennett, but his brother Matt can see the positives for the Knights.

The Dolphins have broken no rules in their pursuit of Cameron Munster.

Kalyn Ponga meeting with Wayne Bennett makes me nervous. It’s like finding out your girlfriend went out on a date with the best looking bloke in the neighbourhood.

And let’s face it, in rugby league terms Wayne Bennett is an irresistible hunk.

I can understand Kalyn meeting Wayne, this decision whether to stay in Newcastle or move north is the biggest in his professional life.

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And the Knights did insert that clause, it was always going to be a distraction.

If meeting Wayne brings Kalyn to a decision in the following days, then I’m glad he met with the Supercoach.

Firstly, one way or another he can then focus back entirely on his football, and secondly, worst-case scenario, if he decides to leave, it gives the Knights an opportunity to make a big play for Cameron Munster.

- By Matty Johns

The Dolphins are free to chase Cameron Munster - but will the Knights make a play too? Picture: Graham Denholm/Getty Images

NOVEMBER PAIN: DOLPHINS HAVE BAD NEWS FOR STORM

The NRL has given the Dolphins the green light to target Melbourne Storm star Cameron Munster – on one condition.

After years of confusion, News Corp can reveal exactly what the NRL’s polarising November 1 contracting rule actually is and what it means for the Dolphins’ pursuit of Munster.

The Redcliffe-based Dolphins, who will enter the NRL in 2023, are breaking no rules by pursuing Munster now for the 2024 season – when he comes off-contract with Melbourne – and beyond.

However they are not allowed to try and coax him out of his 2023 contract, the final year of his Melbourne deal, for their foundation season unless he receives approval from the Storm to explore options with rival clubs.

As it stands, NRL players are not allowed to formally sign a contract with a rival club until November 1 of the contracting year prior to their proposed move. The NRL’s contracting year runs from November 1 to October 31.

That means a player that comes off-contract at the end of the 2023 season cannot sign a contract with a rival club for the 2024 season until November 1, 2022.

However there are no rules or regulations preventing them, or their managers, from talking to or negotiating with rival clubs for any period they are off-contract.

A player is allowed to agree-in-principle with a rival club to a contract at any point in their future, provided they will not be contracted to their current club during the proposed term.

Despite ill-informed cries from pro-Melbourne media about the Dolphins pursuing Munster, the expansion club is breaking no rules as long as their discussions are only for 2024 and beyond.

“A lot of people don’t realise what the rules are,” said Dolphins CEO Terry Reader.

“You can only sign from November 1 the year before, but you can talk and negotiate whenever you like.

Dolphins head coach Wayne Bennett. Picture: Steve Pohlner

“We are really conscious of the rules. We have spoken to the NRL to make sure we are across what can and can’t happen.

“We’ve got to put a squad of 30 together so we’re making sure we’re talking to all players that are interested in coming to the Dolphins.

“We haven’t been concerned by criticism because we know the rules. What it’s illustrated is a lot of people don’t understand the rules around when you can negotiate with players and managers.

“People want to criticise us because we haven’t signed enough players. Now we’re getting criticised for talking to players.

“We’re making sure we’re being patient and building a squad that will get the job done for us.”

While the Dolphins can talk figures with Munster, and even reach a handshake agreement, he cannot formally sign a contract with the Dolphins for the 2024 season before November 1 this year.

It is physically impossible for that to happen with the structure of the NRL’s contracting system, where contracts are generated through a central database. The contracts cannot be produced by clubs until they are allowed to be under the contract period rules.

Andrew Abdo wants to provide clarity over the transfer system. Picture: Kelly Defina/Getty Images

The November 1 rule has come under fire from fans, with players signing with rival clubs 12 months before their move becoming increasingly popular.

The likes of Brandon Smith (Storm to Roosters), Reed Mahoney (Eels to Bulldogs) and Viliame Kikau (Panthers to Bulldogs) committed to new clubs for 2023 before the 2022 season started and NRL CEO Andrew Abdo said it was an area to be reviewed.

“It is definitely under review, it’s an area we want to engage with the players’ association on,” he said.

“We want to have a system which is balanced and more structured.

“It’s important that we have a system which is fair for our clubs, provides our players with the opportunity to maximise earning potential and takes into consideration the frustration of our fans.

“There is always a better way to do things and the opportunity is there for us in the new collective bargaining agreement to find a structure that is more efficient and transparent that perhaps allows for an improvement on the current system.”

In an extreme example, North Queensland co-captain Jason Taumalolo is contracted to the Cowboys until the end of the 2027 season. However he is currently allowed to talk to rival clubs about his future from 2028, without being able to sign a contract.

An area which is difficult for the NRL to police is rival clubs attempting to coax players out of their contracted periods without the permission of their current club.

BENNETT-JOEY FEUD ESCALATES OVER SLY PONGA DIG

Wayne Bennett has hit back at Andrew Johns as an explosive war of words broke out between the super coach and NRL Immortal over the Dolphins’ pursuit of Queensland Origin star Kalyn Ponga.

Johns, who is working in a mentoring capacity with Ponga at Newcastle, fired the first salvo at Bennett, claiming it was “poor form” for the 72-year-old to broker a meeting with the fullback while he is contracted to the Knights for at least another seven months.

But Bennett has come out swinging, returning serve at Johns after the Knights legend lashed the Dolphins coach for his furtive trip to Sydney to hold negotiations with Newcastle’s No.1 player Ponga.

Wayne Bennett has come out swinging at Newcastle great Andrew Johns. Picture: Steve Pohlner

Under NRL contracting rules, the Dolphins are permitted to formally approach Ponga, who has an option in his favour for his 2023 season at Newcastle – technically making the Maroons ace a free agent this year.

“We aren’t breaking any (anti-poaching) rules. People should learn the rules,” Bennett fired.

“We are in the competition now, we’re allowed to negotiate with players.

“They (Newcastle) are negotiating with their player, well why can’t we negotiate with a free agent?

“Kalyn Ponga is a free agent. The rules don’t say they (Newcastle) have exclusive rights to him.

“People don’t actually check the rules. It’s easier to sit back and criticise us.”

Kalyn Ponga has looked far from his best in an injury-riddled season so far. Picture: Getty

Johns was furious with Bennett’s poaching attempt, telling Channel 9’s Sunday Footy Show: “I think it’s poor form to fly to someone’s home town, while they are still playing, to try to get them to go to their club next year or whenever.

“It would definitely be a distraction.”

Bennett first held preliminary talks with Ponga’s father Andre in November, but was tight-lipped as to whether he met with the Knights star in Sydney on Saturday after Newcastle’s loss to the Sharks.

“We have a policy where we don’t talk about who we have met with or haven’t met with,” Bennett said.

“We were in Sydney (on Saturday), but I’m not going to go into exactly who we are meeting.

“I’ve said a couple of months ago that Kalyn Ponga would be one of several players we are interested in, but we are breaking no rules talking to a free agent.

Johns was critical of Bennett’s pursuit of Ponga, which has proven a distraction for the Knights’ season. Picture: Liam Driver

“We have done nothing wrong. I don’t know what people are going on about.

“People want to criticise us for not signing anybody, that’s fine, but if we don’t go out and knock on doors, well we won’t get anybody at all.

“We might get a few knock backs, but at least we are asking the question and talking to guys about their futures and it’s within the rules.”

Privately, the Dolphins believe they face an uphill battle under the salary cap to poach Ponga. He is on more than $1 million at the Knights and Bennett would have to outlay around $1.3m to have any hope of luring Ponga to Queensland’s fourth NRL team.

Asked if Ponga is weighing up playing for the Dolphins, his father Andre told News Corp last month: “It’s a good question. Kalyn has to weigh up whether he could win a premiership with a new club like the Dolphins.

“They have signed a few experienced players like the Bromwich boys and Felise Kaufusi.

“But when you have a mentor like Andrew Johns ... how do you walk away from that?”