Dolphins 2023 preview: Can Bennett lift his battlers?

The NRL is expanding this season to 17 teams and the club stepping into the first grade for the very first time is the Dolphins. Though the Redcliffe club failed to land a star signing, supercoach Wayne Bennett is expected to work magic with his list regardless.

This is the Dolphins’ first season in the National Rugby League after being granted a licence to play as the competition’s 17th team. The club finished third in the QCup with 11 wins before losing 10–16 to the North Devils in the grand final.

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Rugby league’s latest top-flight club faces an uphill climb, especially with no star players, but with the supercoach at the helm there’s every chance the northern outfit will surprise the league.

Last year’s finish: Did not play

Last ten NRL campaigns: Did not play

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Predicted Round 1 lineup

1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
2. Edrick Lee
3. Brenko Lee
4. Tesi Niu
5. Jamayne Isaako
6. Anthony Milford
7. Sean O’Sullivan
8. Jesse Bromwich
9. Jeremy Marshall-King
10. Mark Nicholls
11. Kenny Bromwich
12. Felise Kaufusi
13. Tom Gilbert
14. Kodi Nikorima
15. Euan Aitken
16. Jarrod Wallace
17. Ray Stone

Coach: Wayne Bennett

Biggest losses: N/A Biggest gains: Wayne Bennett (coach), Tesi Niu, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow

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How 2023 is looking for Redcliffe

While most team previews on The Sporting Base will be focused on players and their performances, there’s only one big question mark hanging around the Dolphins: Can Wayne Bennett work his magic on what is a very average list on paper? If he can replicate his coaching form of old, the Dolphins could shock plenty in 2023.

The bottom line though is they failed to enter the rugby league top flight led by an out-and-out star on the park. The club’s spine—Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Anthony Milford, Sean O’Sullivan, and Jeremy Marshall-King—is one of the most middling in the competition and the forward pack is heavy on aging veterans and bit-part players that would fill out benches in other teams. Bennett certainly has his work cut out for him to draw quality from this red-and-white stone.

Predicted 2023 finish: 16th

First five: Roosters (H), Raiders (H), Knights (A), Broncos (H), Dragons (A)

TopSport odds: Premiers $81, Make Top 4: $19, Make Top 8: $7, Miss The Finals: Odds

Pass mark: Anything beyond the wooden spoon.

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