Dolphins coach Wayne Bennett isn’t panicking despite the fact that the club have only signed a handful of players ahead of their inaugural 2023 season in the NRL.
Speaking to the Courier Mail, Bennett says the club is in “no rush” to sign players and that he’s still confident that the Redcliffe based side will be competitive from the get-go.
While the club has signed players such as Melbourne’s Jesse Bromwich and Felise Kaufusi, many think they need to land a big fish ahead of their first campaign for both on and off-field reasons.
With that in mind, SEN host Jimmy Smith believes Newcastle’s Kalyn Ponga is by far the best option for the club to pursue looking ahead to next year.
“If I’m the boss of the NRL and I’m thinking, ‘Who do I really want to see in this market?’, they’re so keen to see this team playing well in, then it’s Kalyn Ponga,” Smith said on SEN 1170 Breakfast.
“He’s an extreme player, he’s a very, very good player.
“The other thing about him, is he’s a Queenslander and he’s got this x-factor to the right demographic.
“It’s very Nick Kyrgios like, he’s got that younger demographic that follow him.
“Absolutely he’s that type, the kids all love Kalyn.”
Smith even believes Ponga is a better choice for the Dolphins than Storm premiership winner and Wally Lewis medalist Cameron Munster.
“I think Ponga, I’m not saying he’s a better player than Munster,” Smith said.
“But I think Ponga would be a better option for the Dolphins than Cameron Munster.”
Reports have suggested Ponga has a clause in his contract that will allow him to come off-contract ahead of next season if he decides to opt out.
Munster is contracted with the Storm until at least the end of the 2023 season.