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NRL 2024 scouting report: Dolphins recruitment, pathways and Wayne Bennett’s burning issues

The Dolphins have every reason to believe they can challenge for a finals place in 2024. But is it realistic? PETER BADEL examines the issues facing Wayne Bennett and his side.

Valynce Te Whare hits the road

The Dolphins have every reason to believe they can challenge for an NRL finals place in 2024.

From building off a solid debut season with first-class recruitment and a top-shelf coaching staff, the NRL’s newest franchise is aiming high. But are their expectations realistic? PETER BADEL examines the issues facing Wayne Bennett’s side.

2023 RICH 100 REPS: Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (37, $800,000), Felise Kaufusi (45, $750,000), Jesse Bromwich (55, $700,000), Kenny Bromwich (69, $650,000)

FREE AGENCY WRAP AND RATING

This is as good as it gets when it comes to recruitment drives. The Dolphins have purchased brilliantly, luring Origin and Test stars Tom Flegler and Herbie Farnworth, the former one of the code’s best young props, the latter a strike weapon in the centres.

Even better, they poached them from the Broncos, eroding the roster of their fierce rivals. Throw in the addition of versatile and speedy Bulldogs utility back Jake Averillo, and the Dolphins have spent their salary-cap pennies wisely.

RATING: A

Has Wayne Bennett got a little more magic up his sleeve?
Has Wayne Bennett got a little more magic up his sleeve?

COACH STATUS AND SAFETY RATING: WAYNE BENNETT (2024)

The NRL’s greatest coach is as safe as Fort Knox, but the parties have agreed that Bennett won’t be heading up the Dolphins beyond next season. The 73-year-old will pass the head-coaching baton to Kristian Woolf for 2025 and he will spend the next 12 months mentoring his right-hand man. The Dolphins want Bennett to stay on in another role but whether the master mentor chooses to coach on with another club is the $1 million question. SAFETY

RATING: A

LIKELY DEBUTANT

James Walsh: Poached from the Dragons last year, Walsh played six Hostplus Cup games in 2023 and is the Dolphins’ top NRL prospect for 2024. A powerful back-rower who can find the tryline, Walsh is coming off shoulder surgery and will be behind the eight-ball in pre-season training.

But if the Dolphins have an injury crisis during the season, the talented 19-year-old will be eager to step up.

James Walsh is set to make his NRL in 2024.
James Walsh is set to make his NRL in 2024.

WHO TAKES THE NEXT STEP

Sean O’Sullivan: This is a make-or-break season for O’Sullivan. Halfbacks own the result and if they can’t deliver on a weekly basis, forget about their team playing finals football.

A former understudy to Nathan Cleary at Penrith, O’Sullivan showed some nice touches last season, but he still missed four months with a serious torn pec injury.

O’Sullivan is 26 next year and has never played more than 14 games in six seasons of NRL due to injuries. It’s time for him to stay on the park and show coach Wayne Bennett he is the real deal in the No.7 jumper.

BURNING ISSUES

1. Will the Dolphins suffer second-year syndrome?

Wayne Bennett’s troops defied the critics with a creditable first season in the NRL, but now the gloss has worn off the shiny new franchise and no-one will underestimate them in 2024.

The Dolphins did remarkably well to win nine games in their rookie campaign, but the pressure is on not to go backwards after a promising entry to the NRL.

Sean O'Sullivan is key to the Dolphins’ hopes in 2024. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images
Sean O'Sullivan is key to the Dolphins’ hopes in 2024. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

2. Will the dynamic duo deliver?

Tom Flegler and Herbie Farnworth came of age at the Broncos last season, but it will be fascinating to see if they can get better at a club unlikely to challenge for a grand final spot next season.

The Dolphins are banking on the muscle of Flegler and class of Farnworth to turn them into a genuine finals contender. They are the big off-season buys and it’s vital they stay fit and on the park.

3. Has the super coach run out of magic tricks?

For almost 50 years, Wayne Bennett has been a coaching titan, but Father Time catches up with even the champions. The seven-time premiership winner stunned the league with the Dolphins’ performances last season, but the jury is out on whether he can deliver a finals campaign in his Redcliffe swan song.

The Dolphins need some Bennett magic dust to orchestrate a top-eight fairytale.

Prized signing Thomas Flegler.
Prized signing Thomas Flegler.
Former Broncos Herbie Farnworth.
Former Broncos Herbie Farnworth.

CRYSTAL BALL

The Dolphins have every reason to believe they can challenge for the top eight in 2024. The signing of Flegler, Farnworth and Averillo will add strike and mongrel to the Dolphins, but as a young franchise, they still lack the depth of the big guns.

It’s crucial the Dolphins’ best 17 stay fit most weeks. If they do, they can advance from 13th spot in their rookie season, but a ninth or 10th-placed finish would be another step forward in 2024.

LAST FIVE YEARS

2023: 13th (first season in NRL)

2024 TAB ODDS

Premiership: $41

Minor premiership: $67

Top four: $9

Top eight: $3.75

To miss the top eight: $1.22

To miss the top four: $1.03

Most losses: $10

Originally published as NRL 2024 scouting report: Dolphins recruitment, pathways and Wayne Bennett’s burning issues

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Original URL: https://www.thechronicle.com.au/sport/nrl/teams/dolphins/nrl-2024-scouting-report-dolphins-recruitment-pathways-and-wayne-bennetts-burning-issues/news-story/17195595cb71b4deb8f6679bb82c1a1d