A marquee signing can make or break a club, so when the Dolphins land their man ahead of the 2023 NRL season they want to be certain he’s the right fit.
Strong leadership is crucial as the face of any organisation, however coach-in-waiting Wayne Bennett has already declared he won’t be building a roster of “choir boys”.
Personality, age and where they grew up are all factors before getting into the nuts and bolts of them as a footballer.
A marquee man has to be a jack of all trades on and off the pitch - winning games while selling the club to new members and sponsors.
Then once they tick all those boxes, they have to actually be available to sign for the Dolphins’ debut NRL season in 2023.
Is it worth the club making 2023 a soft launch and getting their marquee man in 2024?
It’s unlikely, but the right player could be worth the wait.
Here are the top five franchise players the Dolphins should consider signing.
CAMERON MUNSTER
Age: 27
Position: Five-eighth
Representative: Queensland Maroons, Australia Kangaroos
The Rockhampton larrikin who became a representative superstar through his scintillating play and carefree attitude - quite simply - puts bums on seats.
They say James Maloney has the worst memory in rugby league, but Munster wouldn’t be far behind him.
The crafty five-eighth often chances his arm and usually to great effect. At his best, there are few more exciting players in the game.
But like most mad geniuses, he comes with baggage and keeps media managers up at night.
Munster’s off-field problems have been well documented over the years and he poses a risk joining any club - let alone an expansion side desperate to build its image.
A marquee man is often made the club’s captain and Munster has hardly led by example at the Storm.
Dolphins coach-in-waiting Wayne Bennett, however, spoke glowingly of Munster last week before declaring he wasn’t going to build a roster full of “choir boys”.
Munster is contracted at Melbourne until the end of 2023 but the club’s patience is growing thin and his off-field antics could see him released early.
PROS
- Can single-handedly change the course of a game, even a season, on the back of his own individual brilliance.
- The most exciting playmaker in the NRL on his day and at 27, still has his best football ahead of him.
- The fans love Munster because he’s a relatable knockabout who doesn’t take himself too seriously, his presence would drive membership.
CONS
- A string of alcohol-related incidents have brought unwanted attention to his teams over the years.
- Struggles to get motivated in the regular season after State of Origin ends and his club’s finals berth is assured.
- Has never captained at the top level and was dumped from Melbourne’s leadership group this month following the white powder scandal.
KALYN PONGA
Age: 23
Position: Fullback
Representative: Queensland Maroons
Arguably the most talented player to come through the NRL since Sonny Bill Williams - and just as marketable.
The clean-cut and well-spoken playmaker is a future Queensland captain.
Ponga was a phenomenal athlete in multiple sports growing up but landed professionally in rugby league and oozes class across a number of positions.
The problem with the Dolphins recruiting Ponga - in addition to being somewhat injury prone - is his complex deal (worth $4.4m) at the Knights.
The 23-year-old has player options in his favour in 2023 and 2024 but only if he wins a premiership at the club in 2022.
Basically, Ponga must stay in Newcastle until 2024 unless he delivers the Knights an unlikely title next year.
It would be a gamble for the Dolphins to hold open their marquee spot in the hope Ponga is potentially available next October.
PROS
- An immensely-talented playmaker who brings representative experience and can cover a number of positions.
- A natural leader who at just 23 has already captained his NRL club.
- A fan favourite who would attract families and corporate sponsors to the club.
CONS
- A complex contract situation and it would be risky waiting 12 months for Ponga to only potentially become available.
- Injury-prone throughout his short career, Ponga played just 60 per cent of the Knights games in 2021.
- Harbours an ambition to play for the All Blacks and could defect to rugby union after only a few seasons at the Dolphins.
HARRY GRANT
Age: 23
Position: Hooker
Representative: Queensland Maroons
He could barely get a game at the start of his career, making two appearances in his first two seasons at Melbourne while stuck behind Cameron Smith and Brandon Smith.
Then everything changed in 2020, when a loan deal to the Tigers provided the game time Grant yearned for, and he flourished.
The 23-year-old was named the Dally M Rookie of the Year and then got picked for Queensland, where he played a pivotal role in upsetting the Blues last year.
Now he’s a genuine marquee prospect if he can stay healthy, as an injury-plagued 2021 season saw Grant start just three games for the Storm.
Brandon Smith essentially won the No.9 jersey, with some critics suggesting Grant failed to kick on following his breakout season.
Grant is a class act but also a somewhat shy country boy, also from Rockhampton, and might struggle with the attention that comes with being the face of a club.
Similar to Munster, he’s never truly been a leader in an NRL team and the Dolphins will need to believe he can develop into that character.
PROS
- A superstar in the making who has shown in State of Origin that he’s capable of breaking a game open.
- A hardworking Queenslander who you won’t find partying on the Gold Coast in the off-season.
- Contracted at Storm until the end of 2022 with a mutual option for 2023.
CONS
- Somewhat injury prone for a player his age.
- Lacks the leadership experience which he’ll need as the club’s marquee man.
- Still yet to emphatically prove his breakout 2020 season wasn’t a flash in the pan.
CHRISTIAN WELCH
Age: 27
Position: Prop
Representative: Queensland Maroons
The Dolphins could do worse than signing one of the best blokes in rugby league to lead them into the NRL.
Welch has plenty of brains and the brawn to match, and although he doesn’t play a very “sexy” position - he’s everything you want in a club man.
The 27-year-old is a reliable leader on and off the field, becoming an integral member of the Melbourne Storm machine in recent years.
Welch has been a mainstay in the Queensland pack for the past three years and would bring invaluable experience to the Dolphins.
While his signature he may not put bums on seats and have new members signing up in droves, he’s a safe bet.
Welch will turn 29 during the 2023 NRL season which means the Dolphins may only get a few good seasons out of his hulking body.
But his presence in the dressing room will outweigh the negatives his old legs may one day bring to the side.
PROS
- Natural leader who will drive standards from day one.
- Gets through a mountain of work and is an integral cog in every team he plays in.
- Dolphins won’t have to worry about his off-field behaviour.
CONS
- Age is not on his side, props rarely dominate on the other side of 30.
- Not a playmaker so won’t attract droves of fans to games.
CODY WALKER
Age: 31
Position: five-eighth
Representative: New South Wales Blues
South Sydney are racing to re-resign Walker before rival clubs can start talking to the highly-sought after playmaker on November 1.
Walker will, from that date, be free to negotiate with clubs for the 2023 season and is expected to command well beyond his current $650,000-a-season deal.
The 31-year-old produced career-best form in 2021, collecting the Dally M Five-Eighth of the Year crown.
Wayne Bennett has called Walker the best five-eighth he’s ever coached - a field that includes Wally Lewis and Darren Lockyer.
However, News Corp revealed the Rabbitohs put a clause in Bennett’s contract that prevents him from poaching any staff or players for a six-month period after the expiry of his contract on November 1.
By then, the Rabbitohs should have locked in Walker as he’s a top priority for the club following the loss of halfback Adam Reynolds.
PROS
- Has already played under Wayne Bennett who rates him a better five-eighth than Wally Lewis.
- A proven winner who has featured in the past four preliminary finals.
- Reigning Dally M Five-Eighth of the year.
CONS
- At 31 he’s not getting any younger and will be 33 in 2023.
- If the Dolphins hire Bennett they cannot negotiate with Walker for six months from November 1.
- Not a Queenslander who wouldn’t prove as popular as some of the other marquee signings.
Source: foxsports.com.au/nrl