Rugby league legend Andrew Johns is worried the NRL’s 17th club could fall flat if coach Wayne Bennett fails to sign a marquee player soon.
Bennett’s Dolphins will enter the competition next season, and so far they’ve got eight players signed up – 22 short of what’s required by the NRL.
But it’s not the number of signings that has Johns concerned, moreso the quality.
Bennett is yet to land a recognised playmaker.
He met with Newcastle fullback Kalyn Ponga in Sydney last week, but reports suggest the gun No.1 will recommit to the Knights and snub the supercoach from up north.
Bennett has also been heavily linked to Melbourne five-eighth Cameron Munster, who he coached in State of Origin camp for Queensland and the pair built a bond.
But Munster is currently tied to the Storm for season 2023, although Nine’s reporter Ben Dobbin this week revealed that contract may yet be mutually forfeited.
Young Warriors fullback Reece Walsh is the other player rumoured to be in Bennett’s sights.
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But Johns says if the Dolphins don’t start next season with a top-class No.7, their fate is already sealed.
“The Bulldogs have no recognised halfback. They’ve tried to manufacture halfbacks,” Johns told Wide World of Sports’ Freddy and the Eighth.
“You need a halfback steering the ship, it doesn’t matter how big the ship is.
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“(The Dolphins) need that marquee player. That player where fringe players – in NSW Cup or Queensland Cup – say ‘right, Munster is there, I want to play with Munster’.
“At the moment they haven’t got that player.”
Highlighting the Dolphins roster so far are Storm premiership and representative players Felise Kaufusi, Jesse Bromwich, and Kenny Bromwich.
Brad Fittler believes Bennett is trying to build a formidable forward pack before signing his main halfback.
Fittler does not share Johns’ grim outlook for the NRL’s new team.
“I think what he’s done is he’s gone in heavy on forwards and experience,” Fittler said of Bennett.
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“He was obviously speaking to Kalyn Ponga last week… but who is available? Reece Walsh sets up tries. He is a bloke who comes to a three-on-two and nails (the execution) consistently.
“You need to hold your nerve too. The history of your club isn’t based on the first season. The history of your club is built over time, building.
“The last thing you want to do is over-spend on players that don’t actually hit that spot.
“I don’t think they’re going to go as bad as you think. The players that are going up there, you’re going to have a rock solid bunch of forwards.”
Johns asked if Fittler believes the Dolphins will play NRL finals in their first five seasons, to which he replied, “yes”.
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