NRL 2024: Wayne Bennett predicts the Dolphins will become a powerhouse of the NRL in the next few years

Wayne Bennett says it won’t be long until the Dolphins are a powerhouse of the NRL after the club made a crucial decision that’s put it on track to become the Penrith of Queensland.

Wayne Bennett has made a bold statement about the Dolphins. Picture: NRL Photos

Wayne Bennett has predicted the Dolphins will become a powerhouse of the NRL in the next three years as the club targets evolving into the Penrith of Queensland.

Bennett delivered his final speech as head coach of the Dolphins at the club’s Arthur Beetson Medal presentation.

The departing super coach has refused to speak about the Dolphins since the Redcliffe franchise fell agonisingly short of a maiden NRL finals appearance following a last round loss to Newcastle.

But the seven-time premiership winner delivered a stirring sermon to farewell the club after three years before he returns to South Sydney next season.

After a rushed race to the NRL as the game’s 17th club, the Dolphins finished 13th last year before rising to 10th this season, only a final round loss preventing them from securing a top eight berth in their second campaign.

Bennett, 74, said the Dolphins had a bright future under incoming coach Kristian Woolf and were only years away from becoming a serious contender.

Wayne Bennett has officially farewelled the Dolphins. Picture: NRL Photos

“When I look at the Dolphins’ future I have great confidence in it,” he said.

“I’ve got great confidence in all these men and we’ve got some wonderful young players. I have no doubt about their future.

“I’m confident in Kristian. I worked with him for two years and he was great to work with.

“He’ll do a wonderful job and he’s got a team here that’s ready to play for him.

“Nathan Fien (assistant coach) is staying on and he’ll be part of the package that will help the Dolphins become one of the great sides of the competition.

“It’ll be another two or three years away yet, but it will happen.”

The Dolphins fell just short of the finals despite being without Queensland Origin forwards Tom Gilbert (knee) and Tom Flegler (shoulder) for practically the entire season.

They have made three astute signings from next season in Tigers winger Junior Tupou, rising Cowboys backrower Kulikefu Finefeuiaki and former Blues Origin prop Daniel Saifiti (Knights).

Wayne Bennett has handed the head coaching reins to assistant Kristian Woolf. Picture: NRL Photos

The Dolphins will boast an even stronger team next year if Gilbert and Flegler can get back on the park alongside rising stars like Isaiya Katoa and Max Plath, who claimed the Beetson Medal in his first full NRL season.

Bennett said the foundations of the club had been laid over the past two years thanks to experienced players like Storm trio Jesse and Kenny Bromwich and Felise Kaufusi along with veteran prop Mark Nicholls.

“I have great admiration for the playing group,” he said.

“I’m 37 years as an NRL coach and I was as proud of you as I’ve been of any team I’ve coached.

“You overcame so many obstacles. You have no idea of things we overcame just to get a team on the field. At one stage we had nine NRL players missing with injuries.

“We went out and played with pride, passion and the things I believe all rugby league teams should have. We delivered on that.

“I set the standards but they (senior players) lived them and drove the players. The players didn’t take too much driving, they were outstanding.”

The Dolphins have a strong crop of youngsters like player of the year Max Plath. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

It’s not only the NRL team that is shaping up well for the Dolphins.

The club’s junior pathways are now well established and Woolf is set to have a smorgasbord of young talent to choose from in the coming years.

A Dolphins under-17 team travelled to New Zealand this week and smashed the Warriors side that won this year’s Harold Matthews Cup – the premier junior competition in New South Wales.

The Panthers have built their triple-premiership dynasty on a steady stream of home grown talent that has kept the club in title contention for the past five years despite rival NRL clubs consistently poaching their stars.

The Dolphins are hoping a similar approach to junior development will yield dividends for Brisbane’s rival to the Broncos for years to come.

Bennett said the culture of the Dolphins had been set.

The Dolphins produced a rousing haka to farewell retiring skipper Jesse Bromwich

“There is a great team here and their time will come,” he said.

“The stepping stones are already there – the comradeship, the mateship and playing for each other.

“We did that better than most teams I’ve coached for a long time.”

Unlike his drama-charged departure from the Broncos in 2018, when he was sacked and replaced by Anthony Seibold, Bennett leaves the Dolphins on good terms.

That’s why he says there will be no animosity when his Rabbitohs face off against the Dolphins next year.

“I’m sure next year there’ll be a lot of interest in the Rabbitohs versus the Dolphins,” he said.

“But one thing about it is I won’t be buying into the bullshit.”

Originally published as NRL 2024: Wayne Bennett predicts the Dolphins will become a powerhouse of the NRL in the next few years