Dolphins super coach Wayne Bennett has hit back at rivals labelling the NRL’s 17th franchise one of the most hated teams in the competition — without even having played a game.
Bennett’s recruitment methods have consistently come under fire, ruffling the feathers of Storm, Rabbitohs and Panthers powerbrokers to name a few.
Numerous clubs have reportedly come forward accusing the Dolphins of attempting to lure players to break their contracts and make the move north according to the Courier Mail.
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The Dolphins were given only 12 months to put together a competitive NRL roster and Bennett has slammed criticism questioning how the newest franchise have become the “fall guys”.
“It’s ridiculous, what do clubs want us to do … take the field with no players?” Bennett said.
“Of course we are out there asking players if they are keen on playing for us. We had to sign 30 players in a year, our pre-season starts in November, what did the other clubs expect us to do?
“Does everyone want to find fault with the Dolphins and see us as the fall guys? I’ve got no idea.”
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Bennett’s heavily-publicised chase of superstars Latrell Mitchell and Cameron Munster have been consistently scrutinised.
But the super coach wants the rugby league community to know — the Dolphins are breaking no rules by having conversations with these players.
As per the NRL’s rules, the Bennett is permitted to speak to players from rival clubs, but cannot convince stars to try and wriggle out of their contracts without consent from their current clubs.
Players are also unable to sign formal contracts until entering the final year of their current deal which begins on November 1 a year prior.
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“Let me get one thing straight because people don’t seem to know the rules – we can approach any player at any time for talks. There is no rule preventing us from doing that,” Bennett said.
“There is no restriction on approaching players. There is only a restriction on signing a contracted player until the 1st of November.
“To be honest, people should be directing their frustrations to the NRL. The NRL are the ones who introduced a 17th team to the competition.
“They gave us the same framework as everyone else, we had to sign 30 players and we are working within the rules and the guidelines.”
Bennett has also rubbed Raiders coach Ricky Stuart the wrong way after stealing one of the Raiders coaching staff from under ‘Sticky’s’ nose.
According to The Daily Telegraph, conditioning coach Jeremy Hickmans will reportedly move north from the nation’s capital, angering Stuart after he was blindsided by the move.
Bennett reportedly regards Hickmans as one of the best trainers across the sporting world and has worked with the Englishmen at the Broncos, Dragons, Knighta and the English national team.
