Melbourne Storm Kiwi Test forward Kenny Bromwich has told his teammates he intends to follow brother Jesse to the Redcliffe Dolphins next season.
Bromwich has become the latest big-name Melbourne Storm forward to agree to terms with the NRL’s 17th team inking a three-year deal to join the Dolphins.
The move has infuriated the Melbourne Storm and particularly coach Craig Bellamy given the Dolphins will now have three representative forwards from the Storm in the Redcliffe starting pack next season.
The 16 rival NRL clubs are becoming increasingly angry with Redcliffe given the Dolphins are cashed-up with $9.2 million for 2023 and actively attempting to poach some of the game’s best players.
There is a view the Dolphins have inflated the market in terms of what players are worth.
Dolphins coach Bennett and Storm coach Bellamy were once extremely close as master and apprentice at the Brisbane Broncos in the late 1990s and early 2000s where they enjoyed premiership success together.
But the pair has become increasingly strained in recent seasons despite both being the most successful coaches of the modern era.
The Dolphins start-up forward pack will now contain Storm forwards Felise Kaufusi, Jesse Bromwich and Kenny Bromwich.
It’s clearly been a targeted move to bring in experienced, premiership-winning players from one of the NRL’s benchmark teams.
There is a view the Storm could handle the departure of Kiwi Test front rower Jesse Bromwich, who will be turning 34 in May of 2023.
But the losses of Queensland and Australian backrower Kaufusi and also Kiwi Test backrower Kenny Bromwich have not been well received.
In a statement released by the Dolphins, chief executive Terry Reader said the new franchise was building their roster strategically, preparing to enter the NRL in 2023.
“Kenny Bromwich is yet another player that has all the qualities we are looking for – experience, ability, toughness and a track record of winning,” Reader said.
“Clearly we have placed some real importance on ensuring we have some reliable and
experienced players on our roster for the first season.
“Along with his brother Jesse, Felise and also our signing from the Rabbitohs Mark Nicholls, we know we are going to be starting pre-season training with some real leadership in our squad.”
Kenny Bromwich has won two premierships with the Storm in 2017 and 2020, recording 192 NRL games since his debut in 2013.
Storm CEO Justin Rodski confirmed Bromwich would remain in Melbourne for the 2022 season in a statement released on the club’s website.
“He has been a key part of a formidable forward pack that has been the competition’s benchmark and has continued to improve his game year on year.
“While we would have loved to have Kenny stay on with Storm for 2023 and beyond, unfortunately, that won’t be happening but we still have this year to enjoy watching him on that left edge that he has made his home.
“When the time comes at the end of the year, we will give Kenny and his family a proper farewell and say our thanks for all he has done with the club.”
Source: foxsports.com.au