Wayne Bennett has reportedly agreed to a monster contract with the new NRL team in a deal that includes a staggering detail.
Wayne Bennett has reportedly agreed to a multi-year deal with the Dolphins.
On the same day the 17th NRL franchise was officially unveiled, the second Brisbane team has apparently locked up the veteran coach.
The Sydney Morning Herald first reported Bennett has agreed to a three-year deal with the Dolphins, beginning from their entry into the competition in 2023.
It means Bennett will be 75-years-old by the time the contract expires at the end of the 2025 season.
The report indicates the contract includes a clause in the team’s favour to cut the deal after two seasons.
However, Bennett will begin working with the team from November 1 as they begin to build their facilities, staff, development system and first grade squad.
The deal is expected to be announced this week.
The NRL earlier confirmed the Dolphins won the bid process to be granted the league’s 17th franchise.
Bennett left the Rabbitohs following the team’s grand final defeat to the Panthers and remained tight-lipped when asked about his future during the finals series.
He said in August he would be moving to Brisbane in 2022, but did not address the potential offers he had on the table.
Multiple reports had linked Bennett with the new expansion team — and they have proven to be correct.
“I am heading back there (to Queensland),” Bennett said.
“Look, there are a lot of things on the table for me next year.
“None of them will be resolved until the season’s over.”
Bennett was also frosty in his grand final presser when addressing his future.
A minute into his post-match press conference, a reporter tried to ask how he felt that there was no “fairytale ending” for departing halfback Adam Reynolds.
But Bennett cut off the journalist before she could finish her question. He thought she was referring to his own “fairytale ending” — and he wasn’t willing to accept his coaching career was over just because he had led the Rabbitohs for the final time, before his assistant Jason Demetriou takes the reins next season.
“I wasn’t looking for a fairytale ending,” Bennett said. “I’m not finished yet, I’ve not told anyone I’ve retired from coaching.”
He then apologised when the journalist clarified she was talking about Reynolds, not the coach.
The famously grouchy coach is not done yet.
Bennett’s attention will reportedly immediately turn to drawing up a hit list of players the club hopes to snare from rival clubs.
The veteran coach had already been linked to making a raid on Rabbitohs playmaker Cody Walker.
The Daily Telegraph’s Dean Ritchie on Wednesday morning speculated on Sky Sports Radio the state of the NRL player market means the Dolphins could target superstars, including Kalyn Ponga, Cameron Munster, Reed Mahoney and Tino Fa’asuamaleaui.
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