Dolphins

[The Marshall]

With the Dolphins expected to granted the 17th team licence the players market will go crazy.
No player that is in negotiations or about to be a free agent will sign anything until they see what is happening in the market.

I don't know how many Roosters fall into this but the Dolphins would be crazy not to chase some of our players.
The top 6 teams from this season are so far ahead of the rest of the competition they will all probably have the Dolphins looking into who they can convince to move up there contracted or not.

I think Sam Walker is signed until 23 but I wouldn't be surprised if they target him being a Queenslader and a future representative half with contracts meaning nothing these days.

The NRL will probably grant them a special inflated salary cap for 3-5 years so they are successful which will attract fans and sponsors.

Greg Alexander is pushing the Dolphins should go after Joey line. Conveniently not raising any Penrith targets.

[bondi.boy]

BB, Manu is signed until the end of 2022. From Nov 1 this year he can talk with other teams about a potential deal for 2023, or he will extend with the Roosters (which is ideal).

Thanks for that.

[bondi.boy]

Yep, offseason rumours.

IMO end of the day, those who wish to leave will do so. The comp will have another club that can afford to upgrade players who other clubs can't upgrade. This will no doubt involve a few $1m signings and '$5 million deals' (i.e. long-term contracts with no performance weighting that we'd be stupid to match).

My reckoning is that they'll take 1 or 2 players from each club so the 'hits' will be shared. My guess is that Robbo will help manage this as he's an upfront kinda guy. Like if he reckons a guy can get $$$ from the Dolphins and further their career by doing so, I reckon he'd be having those conversations as part of development discussions.

Hammo might know a bit of goss... doesn't he work for their leagues club? I think they're big enough to have their own players and stuff. Like I dare say they got picked because they're absolutely killing it in reserve grade and the Storm's poaching all their players once they hit 1st grade.

---

Who do I think they'll poach from Easts?
- Probably not people from our leadership group like Teddy, JWH and Keary. We won't lose our main enforcers/spine.

- Maybe a few solid fringe forwards/utilities looking for starting duties? That or guys in positions that are getting a bit crowded. For example Ikuvalu, Lam, Butch, Sitili...etc.

- Maybe one marquee player. Again, I reckon probably not somebody from our leadership group. IMO they'll be looking to give somebody like Harry Grant a $$$ contract they can't refuse. Walker would be an obvious candidate though ay? Throw a $$$ contract at him and tell him they're happy for him to play his brand of footy for the fans.

Yes well "upfront kinda guy" Robbo shouldn't go being too quick to do the Dolphins, NRL, any favours...he needs to remember what happened to us in the Manly semi and other games this season, circus music and streamers.
We basically need 2 first grade standard teams, also not be in a hurry to rush our experienced players out the door.

[mattyh]

if i was the dolphins , id be getting scouts out to western nsw and western qld and brisbane asap , rather then targeting established names. could be a gold mine, the chooks should already be doing this.

[Mickie Lane]

Over the next 2 years I can see the Bulldogs becoming a top 6 side joining the Roosters, Panthers, Storm, Manly & Parra then I think Souths, Cronulla & the Titans.
The new franchise has to start with a team that can beat Souths , Cronulla & the Titans & compete with the top 6 sides. Bennett will be the coach, he will have a fairly good side to start with, probably a team that could finish 4th & it has to be that way for the franchise to get supporters.

[Steakface]

There's going to be some weak clubs come 2023- the player market isn't strong enough to support another squad of 30.

On the contrary, it will dilute the talent across the board, not weaken specific clubs as such. More correct to say, it'll be a 'weaker' comp. It'll be incrementally closer to the Super League in overall quality.

I think thats one of the key reasons the NRL want expansion - the last decade of dominance of the Storm, Roosters, Manly is bad for business.

They want a much more even comp.

The reality is, the comp will become more even. You'll see a much stronger overall top 8, rather than the last few years where there is a clearly dominate top 3 or 4 clubs.

[mattyh]

On the contrary, it will dilute the talent across the board, not weaken specific clubs as such. More correct to say, it'll be a 'weaker' comp. It'll be incrementally closer to the Super League in overall quality.

I think thats one of the key reasons the NRL want expansion - the last decade of dominance of the Storm, Roosters, Manly is bad for business.

They want a much more even comp.

The reality is, the comp will become more even. You'll see a much stronger overall top 8, rather than the last few years where there is a clearly dominate top 3 or 4 clubs.

i still reckon there'll be a clear top tier ie 4 or 5 , your middle 8 and bottom 4 with little change year to year the odd one will drop the odd one will rise . wouldn't surprise me to see melbourne, roosters, souffs , panfas maybe miss the 8 till after 2025, maybe im wrong who knows.

[bondi.boy]

if i was the dolphins , id be getting scouts out to western nsw and western qld and brisbane asap , rather then targeting established names. could be a gold mine, the chooks should already be doing this.

Are,
Liam Cleal, NW NSW...our summer SG Ball squad.

[roosterproud]

i remember the dolphins as one of our feeder teams in the 2003 4 and 5 era. Then the drongos took them back along with about 6 other q cup teams as their feeders. Then the storm took control of them as a feeder. Now i think the drongos have them back again.

Just on the drongos. it was mentioned in a thread that there was no such thing as addition payments by the nrl for newly established teams. The drongos were allowed an $800,000.dispensation over the cap for living away from home allowance. This was put in place by news ltd. When new released the drongos or (sold their share) they kept this money going until 2008 (i think).

[JB_Cloey]

Collins is signed till the end of 2026- actually the longest contracted player at the club. That goes to show what Robbo thinks of him

There's going to be some weak clubs come 2023- the player market isn't strong enough to support another squad of 30. Melbourne Storms days of mass raiding of Qlders could be over!! Any up and coming juniors in Victoria?

I would love to have Newtwon back. Great day out at Henson Park sitting metres from Robbo and enjoying all the old traditions. Must say I haven't headed out to North Sydney oval to watch the bears.

[BUDDY]

I think the next team will be another NZ team with a slighter chance to Perth.
I just can't see them adding another team close to Sydney so North Sydney and Central Coast are p!ssing in the wind for mine.

[SupermanSupportsEasts4Eva]

Greg Alexander is pushing the Dolphins should go after Joey line. Conveniently not raising any Penrith targets.

That's how I saw it too. Brandy doesn't want Nathan, Laui or Chrichton thrown into the rumour mill

[SupermanSupportsEasts4Eva]

Good to see the North Sydney Bears have contacted the NRL ask for an aplication to rejoin the NRL. could be a good thing for 2025. No good for our feeder team future

"Tell 'em their dreaming...."

[King Salvo]

Good to see the North Sydney Bears have contacted the NRL ask for an aplication to rejoin the NRL. could be a good thing for 2025. No good for our feeder team future

Even if based on the Central Coast they have as much chance as Newtown in being re-admitted - NRL are wanting expansion into other areas other than Greater Sydney which rightly or wrongly includes the Central Coast- see map below for what now is Greater Sydney.

[King Salvo]

So they wont have a locality just be called the Dolphins is this to appease the Bronco's and their Boston Strangler hold on Brisbane - be like rugby - Chiefs/Crusaders/Sharks/Rebels/Reds/ Waratahs etc - if you didn't follow it you would have no idea where these teams come from or are based.