General Redcliffe Dolphins/Warriors

[JaggedJ]

Titans weren't really that bad initially in their first couple of years, but they did fade badly in the back half of those years. They were 4th after 15 rounds in their debut season and then won 8 of their first 12 games in 2008 before fading.

To me that suggests the biggest challenge will be creating enough depth to actually last 24 games for the first couple of years as opposed to getting a team capable of competing at full strength/health.

I do agree with the comparison overall though. Titans had a longer lead in time to build a team. I think the initial Dolphins team will have a sprinkling of talent, a bunch of grafters, but overall will be inconsistent.

Bennett has shown that he values experience highly so I'm curious to see how he fills out the roster. I expect he'll go after a couple of marquee names, build around those names with guys coming into their prime or youngsters with 2-3 seasons under their belt and then fill the gaps quite a few cut price veterans looking to either re-ignite their career or have one last go around on a reduced contract.

 

[snake77]

Really interesting article on zero tackle with Hugh McGahans views around an 18th team that’s already being floated. With many Aussie pundits leaning towards a Perth or another Aussie team, another kiwi is sounding a real possibility. It had been the Southern Orcas being the team that was sounding a chance, playing out of Wellington but McGahan believes there’s an opportunity staring them in the face by linking up with the most successful super rugby franchise, the crusaders and have the 18th team playing out of Canterbury. Worth a read anyway.

Previously when expansion was discussed the likely options were Perth, 2nd Brisbane or cover Sothern Queensland, Central Coast or New Zealand. Perth would of been one of the favourites with the timezone and geographical spread of the competition.

Now that they have added a 17th side with a bye you would expect they would be monitoring various factors to assess if they could add an 18th side. Not sure how favoured the Central Coast would be now so hopefully its between Perth and a second NZ side. If we didn't get a second NZ side I would expect we would be waiting a long time for them to extend out to 19-20 teams.

A club going out of business is another option but highly unlikely as anytime a club gets in trouble they worry about the number of games. I supposed from that is negated from 2023 as they can just skip the byes.

The other worry for a second NZ sides is the funding. Redcliffe had a lot of capital, that has set the bar pretty high. Seen reports years ago about Perth having a billonaire backing them.

 

[snake77]

You would expect with just his name there at the club, that they will be able to put together a good roster over the next few years. However, he's not known for future proofing clubs, and the teams he leave seem to crumble almost instantly when he goes.

The way Wayne is, I don't think he would like a coaching directors role, even though at his age and for future proofing the club, that would probably be the best way forward. He's all or nothing generally.

All things considered, he would be the best man to get a club going, even at his age. Also buys into the anti Broncos thing, which will divide fans nicely. They would need a clear succession plan in place, but that shouldn't be hard.

Usually at work you want to leave a role in a better place than when you took it on. As you say Bennett hasn't the best record there. The guy taking over Souths has been a long time assistant working under him so we get a recent case study next year.

He will help attract players no doubt. Most of the focus is on 2023 when they are cashed up, they will also ditch 1-3 the first year as they have their eyes on guys already under contract available from 2024 onwards. This will make the recruitment market a lot more competitive.

For Bennett its amazing he's still coaching but also inaugural coach for the Broncos in 1988. Now back building a competitor in 2023.

 

[Noitall]

Previously when expansion was discussed the likely options were Perth, 2nd Brisbane or cover Sothern Queensland, Central Coast or New Zealand. Perth would of been one of the favourites with the timezone and geographical spread of the competition.

Now that they have added a 17th side with a bye you would expect they would be monitoring various factors to assess if they could add an 18th side. Not sure how favoured the Central Coast would be now so hopefully its between Perth and a second NZ side. If we didn't get a second NZ side I would expect we would be waiting a long time for them to extend out to 19-20 teams.

A club going out of business is another option but highly unlikely as anytime a club gets in trouble they worry about the number of games. I supposed from that is negated from 2023 as they can just skip the byes.

The other worry for a second NZ sides is the funding. Redcliffe had a lot of capital, that has set the bar pretty high. Seen reports years ago about Perth having a billonaire backing them.

Another interesting idea I read of somebody’s yesterday was amalgamating the bulldogs and Canterbury and playing half the home games out of Aussie grounds and Christchurch. Probably too much of a prestigious club, but would require no change of identity, already being the Canterbury bulldogs.

 

[snake77]

Another interesting idea I read of somebody’s yesterday was amalgamating the bulldogs and Canterbury and playing half the home games out of Aussie grounds and Christchurch. Probably too much of a prestigious club, but would require no change of identity, already being the Canterbury bulldogs.

The way I could see that working would be more if the Bulldogs tried to build a fanbase here based off the Canterbury name. Some clubs have tried to play in Perth or the Central Coast to extend their fan base. I know the colours are different but they could do a jersey for when they play there which would help sales.

Not sure how often the Bulldogs use the Canterbury part now, probably within Sydney.

I've seen arguments for pretty much all of the Sydney clubs to amalgamate or relocate over the years. Even seen the Bulldogs listed as the odd club out even when they were doing alright on the field and financially.

To get the Sydney clubs to move would be similar to getting that quick little cockroach that scooted under the fridge. You move the fridge to get the little bastard and he scoots out from there under the dishwasher. I'm convinced if there was a nuclear war the things that will survive would be the cockroaches, rats and the Sydney NRL clubs.

 

[Five&Last]

Really interesting article on zero tackle with Hugh McGahans views around an 18th team that’s already being floated. With many Aussie pundits leaning towards a Perth or another Aussie team, another kiwi is sounding a real possibility. It had been the Southern Orcas being the team that was sounding a chance, playing out of Wellington but McGahan believes there’s an opportunity staring them in the face by linking up with the most successful super rugby franchise, the crusaders and have the 18th team playing out of Canterbury. Worth a read anyway.

Next team needs to be geographical expansion. Wellington or Perth for sure.

 

[playdaball]

As I’ve said previously i don’t think another NZ would work. We’re struggling with one team here plus finance will be an issue ( Warriors wouldn’t be here without. Autex), attracting quality players - would you really want to live .in Wgtn or ChCh? Crowds - if a team is down the bottom of the table , crowds will be low ..

 

[Five&Last]

As I’ve said previously i don’t think another NZ would work. We’re struggling with one team here plus finance will be an issue ( Warriors wouldn’t be here without. Autex), attracting quality players - would you really want to live .in Wgtn or ChCh? Crowds - if a team is down the bottom of the table , crowds will be low ..

NZ has the largest talent pool per capita by far. It’s not about attracting players across the ditch, it’s about growing the game.

Warriors have their own seperate issues, but any new team joining the comp will not struggle to get financial backing. Redcliffe and Ipswich were pulling $100 million dollar investors out of thin air during their bids.

 

[Bangbros 2023]

I only see a second team in New Zealand viable if we can have a national competition like nsw and qld cup also a under 20's and 18's competition as well.

Then maybe have Warriors feeder in NSW cup and second nz team in the Queensland comp, with the nz comps short and then running I to the nrl sesson perhaps?

What a dream that would be, I'm laughing because it never happen.

 

[mrblonde]

"As for the club's name, which will make it the second in the NRL along with the Warriors not to have a geographical component in its title, Abdo said it was about "owning the north", growing outside the Brisbane region through Moreton Bay, the Sunshine Coast and beyond."

From https://www.nrl.com/news/2021/10/13/dolphins-to-become-nrls-17th-team-in-2023/

Not that I particularly mind, although if I could choose to be the Warriors, the New Zealand Warriors or the Auckland Warriors I'd go for Auckland...

But. It does get the old tinfoil hat tingling in a way that just spring weather doesn't. If the team has no geographical component in it's title, well, why not the Perth Warriors/Adelaide Warriors etc etc...

 

[mrblonde]

I only see a second team in New Zealand viable if we can have a national competition like nsw and qld cup also a under 20's and 18's competition as well.

Then maybe have Warriors feeder in NSW cup and second nz team in the Queensland comp, with the nz comps short and then running I to the nrl sesson perhaps?

What a dream that would be, I'm laughing because it never happen.

Yep. Mainly because it would require the NZRL and all the regional RLs to get their fecal matter combined. Which, as has been proven by the cough/steller/cough success the NZRL and ARL had when they had a part ownership of the Warriors, is not exactly easy-peasy-piece-of-piss...

 

[Wellington Warrior]

17 teams… who is the poor buggers that get a bye during magic round??

 

[Bangbros 2023]

17 teams… who is the poor buggers that get a bye during magic round??

Whoever wins the wooden spoon, bye bye dogs!

 

[warriorsfan92]

They’ll get Munster

 

[matiunz]

Next team needs to be geographical expansion. Wellington or Perth for sure.

Pretty much need to put plans in to build towards Perth, NZ 2 and Adelaide. Start with Junior academies and performance centres, get league into schools and have solid support with NRL coaching clinics etc to help expansion teams have a base to build off. Then say target a 10 year plan to bring the teams in steadily introducing them to ah ball, NSW cup etc so they have depth and pathways ready.
That way you have a future plan for a fully National NRL with an NZ derby, he’ll of a lot more attractive to sponsors

 

[mrblonde]

2021 NRL Ladder

2021 NRL Ladder. Updated after every game!

www.zerotackle.com

Is someone on zerotackle.com's staff unhappy about the Dolphins being selected?

Kind of unfair to include them on a ladder they weren't even part of.

 

[wizards rage]

2021 NRL Ladder

2021 NRL Ladder. Updated after every game!

www.zerotackle.com

Is someone on zerotackle.com's staff unhappy about the Dolphins being selected?

Kind of unfair to include them on a ladder they weren't even part of.

The staff member was a bulldogs fan 😉

 

[Worried2Death]

2021 NRL Ladder

2021 NRL Ladder. Updated after every game!

www.zerotackle.com

Is someone on zerotackle.com's staff unhappy about the Dolphins being selected?

Kind of unfair to include them on a ladder they weren't even part of.

They finished with a better differential than us, we've still never had the spoon tho.

 

[bruce]

Bennett insists character trumps star power in Dolphins recruitment

Wayne Bennett has been confirmed as head coach of The Dolphins and has outlined some of the traits he wants in his first NRL roster looking ahead to the 2023 season.

www.smh.com.au

Bennett insists character trumps star power in Dolphins recruitment​

Wayne Bennett insists he will value culture over star power as he prepares to make his first pitches for players to join The Dolphins following his confirmation as head coach.

Bennett started the first day of a four-year deal on Thursday and will have 12 months to get the NRL’s newest addition ship-shape ahead of their first outing in the 2023 season. More pressing is the November 1 deadline that will allow the Dolphins to begin courting players for their inaugural roster.
Some 157 are off contract at the end of 2022 and Bennett has a full salary cap at his disposal. Headliners like Cameron Munster are among the obvious targets but Bennett said laying solid cultural foundations was foremost in his thoughts when assembling the NRL squad.
“Culture. Every time,” Bennett said. “The talent will come, we’ll grow the talent, we’ll find the talent. But who we are and what we stand for is important to me within clubs.”

Bennett was given an insight into players like Munster, Christian Welch and Titans star Tino Fa’asuamaleaui during his tenure as Maroons Origin coach after the 2020 NRL season and conceded those relationships could yet prove useful.
And he said the lure of being a foundation player at a new NRL club would be a major selling point to players who want to leave a lasting legacy for the game.
“Of course it is (a selling point) and it will help us attract players. It’s a once-off opportunity. But there is a great facility, we’re not starting from scratch,” Bennett said.

“That won’t hurt me, those relationships (with the Morons Origin starts). They were great young men, I enjoyed being with them, a stack of other guys as well. We’ve got to look at our priorities and how we’re going to do that. But we can’t have everyone.
“I want good players to come here but it’s more than me being here and that’s the concept I want everyone to buy into. It’s a wonderful club, a great area, it’s not about one person.”

He dismissed any lingering anger with the Broncos and said he didn’t even consider the Dolphins to be major rivals of the Brisbane powerhouse, which he helped start in 1988 but left after a bitter fallout with club management before heading to the Rabbitohs.
“I don’t believe that, I don’t believe they have been set up to be rivals to the Broncos. I’ll make a point to you all today: My time at the Broncos is over. I’m here at the Dolphins, I want them to be the best club, I won’t be looking over my shoulder at any club in the NRL.”
Bennett also said he wouldn’t be scouring South Sydney for players after steering them to a grand final. He said his history had shown he rarely launched major poaching raids on clubs he had recently left and that he had no insight into reports there was a clause in his Souths contract that prevented him from taking players with him.

“I love you media guys because I didn’t even know I had that clause. I don’t care about the clause, it doesn’t interest me at all,” Bennett said.
“Go and have a look at all the players I’ve taken from clubs I’ve left. South Sydney, for example, Jaydn Su’A and Pat Mago were cast out by the Broncos. Darius Boyd followed me for a decade because the Broncos didn’t want him. I have no history of taking major players from any club.”

 

[snake77]

The Dolphins are going to spice up the recruitment market over the next year. A year to get a squad together compared to the Warriors getting ready for 1995.

Bennett talks highly about a lot of players. I think some that are hoping to get a call to return to Queensland or stay in Queensland for guys like Ash Taylor or Kodi Nikorima might be in for a nervous wait as they might be down the priority list or the backups when others don't sign.

I know Taylor's signing with the Warriors was announced as a year with a club option but can see unless he really loves and gels with the guys he'll be in talks with the club about wanting to stay in Queensland. The Titans are out so his options would be Broncos or Dolphins. Nikorima might have a few more options.

Going to be interesting seeing their squad come together.