It really is time to start worrying about the Dolphins.
Six months out from the expansion club’s NRL debut, the franchise is spiralling from one debacle to the next.
The latest chapter surrounds the club’s inaugural playing jersey which was reportedly accidentally leaked online in the afternoon before the NRL Grand Final on Sunday.
According to reports, an image of a jersey appeared on the club’s website described as a “home” jersey.
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The accidental leak only appeared to jump the gun by a few hours as the club officially revealed it to the world at Accor Stadium.
The bright red and beige colour scheme has made the jersey a laughing stock across the rugby league world.
Jokes have been flying thick and fast as the image of the jersey began to spread across the internet.
NRL great Scott Sattler said on Monday morning the jersey made him think of another iconic jersey failure when the former Gold Coast Crushers entered the ARL in 1995 with a yellow, blue and red jumper.
“It’s horrible. Honestly, it’s a horrible jersey,” Sattler told SEN Brisbane of the Dolphins’ home strip.
“I gotta say, it’s like when the Crushers first came into the comp and their jersey was a colour many said was baby poo. Some said it was mustard. But the actual colour was Aztec gold.
“I’m not a fan.”
SEN host Ben Davis said the “beige” colour “doesn’t belong in sport”.
He was kinder than other fans on social media.
Rugby league journalist Matt Bungard wrote on Twitter: “At this point you could tell me that the Dolphins are trying to do everything wrong on purpose as some sort of cautionary tale on how not to do an expansion team, and I’d believe you”.
Rugby league journalist Jon Tuxworth posted: “Beginning to understand why the Dolphins buried their jersey reveal on GF day now”.
Dolphins’ chief executive Terry Reader said in a club statement: “It was an exciting moment to have the 2023 Dolphins home jersey unveiled at the NRL Grand Final.
“This has been the culmination of 75 years of history for the Dolphins club and a lot of hard work in the past year building a club that is primed to enter the NRL.
“We thank all of our commercial partners for their faith in backing us in our debut season, and are excited for our members and fans as they look towards our first game in March next year.”
It is hard to think the club has an even bigger crisis on its hand as it prepares to enter the competition with a squad that does not include any recognised star of the competition.
Dolphins coach Wayne Bennett has missed out on every high-profile target the club has chased, including Harry Grant, Reece Walsh, Kalyn Ponga and more recently Ryan Matterson. Cameron Munster has also committed to the Storm for 2023 after being chased by the Dolphins for months.
The Dolphins’ biggest signings so far have been Maroons forwards Jarrod Wallace, Felise Kaufusi as well as Titans fullback Jamayne Isaako, Panthers utility Sean O’Sullivan, and Queensland speedster Edrick Lee.
There is some good news for the Dolphins with the club reportedly set to sign Cowboys speedster Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow on a lucrative three-year deal.
The Dolphins are also reportedly chasing Dragons young gun Tyrell Sloan.
