Dolphins coach Wayne Bennett has confirmed the NRL’s newest franchise will make a play to recruit Raiders star Jack Wighton as the club’s marquee signing.
According to AAP, Bennett is set to organise a meeting with the 30-year-old who shocked the NRL world by declaring he would be testing the open market after 224 games with the Raiders.
Over half the competition are reportedly keen on Wighton’s services and he has until Round 10 to exercise a one-year option with the green machine for the 2024 season.
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While there’s a massive amount of interest for the five-eighth, the Dolphins have made one thing clear — they won’t spend the money unless he is the “right fit”.
The Dolphins have cap space to burn, having so far failed to land a marquee star and Wighton’s current salary is believed to be around $850,000.
“If we thought he was the right fit for the club and brought the things that we need then we would probably pay more than $1million,” Bennett said.
“That’s not the issue. The issue is, ‘Does he fit our needs? Do we suit him?’ They are the things that we’ve all got to talk about and work out.
“He is a very competitive player, highly skilled and has been a great servant of the game. He plays a number of positions.”
Bennett also touched on the club’s failed marquee pursuit and again emphasises players must buy in to the club’s culture.
“We’ve approached someone and they haven’t wanted to come here, so it is a bit of both. We will not be buying players that can’t meet the pressure test here I can tell you,” Bennett said.
“We will play with 15 or 13 if we have to, if we can’t get the right 17.”
As it stands, no conversation have been held between Wighton’s management and the Dolphins according to Bennett.
“Whenever a quality player comes on the market you have to consider it and I am keen to talk to Jack,” Bennett said to the Courier Mail.
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“I need to speak to Jack and see if he is interested in coming here.
“I don’t know how keen he is, so we haven’t made that approach, but he is a class player and he would be very good for our backline.”
The Dolphins have exceeded expectations to start the season with a 3-1 record, only going down to their cross-town rivals, the Broncos.
Bennett’s forward pack is full of experience, while their backs could be considered weak despite the impressive form of Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Jamayne Isaako and Sean O’Sullivan, who has since suffered a torn pectoral.
Wighton could slot into the Dolphins’ halves or play in the centres, having featured in the role for NSW under Brad Fittler.
“Jack had a great World Cup campaign (last year) and can play several positions,” Bennett said.
“A lot will depend on our salary-cap position, too, and what we can afford to pay him.
“We have been very disciplined with our salary cap and the type of player we want to bring here.”
Adding to the equation is the impending arrival of English gun Herbie Farnworth, who could also play in the centres or take over at fullback.
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FORMER TITANS’ NEW CLUB
Former Titans flyer Patrick Herbet is reportedly set to make the move abroad and join the Catalans Dragons in the Super League.
The 26-year-old was granted an immediate release in March, having played 58 games for both the Warriors and the Gold Coast.
Now according to WWOS, the Dragons are in the box seat to acquire Herbert’s services after speaking with multiple clubs abroad.
