Dolphins (NRL)

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This article is about the upcoming professional NRL side. For the existing Queensland Cup club, see Redcliffe Dolphins.
Dolphins
Club information
Colours  Red
  White
  Gold
Websitedolphinsnrl.com.au
Current details
Ground(s)
CEOTerry Reader
ChairmanBob Jones
CoachWayne Bennett
CompetitionNational Rugby League

The Dolphins are an upcoming professional rugby league team that will compete in the Australian National Rugby League (NRL) from the 2023 season. Launched as a bid for inclusion into the NRL by Queensland Cup side Redcliffe Dolphins in 2020, the Dolphins were awarded a license in October 2021 to compete as the league's 17th side. It will be the fourth NRL team in the state of Queensland, and the second in the city of Brisbane, alongside the Brisbane Broncos.

History[]

The Redcliffe Dolphins launched what they called an 'NRL-ready' bid for inclusion into the competition on 22 September 2020. The announcement coincided with the opening of a new grandstand at Moreton Daily Stadium.[1]

Throughout 2021, the Dolphins competed for the 17th NRL license with the Brisbane Jets and Brisbane Firehawks consortiums, which were also linked to existing Queensland Cup clubs. The Dolphins were awarded the license on 13 October 2021.[2] Wayne Bennett will be the inaugural NRL coach.[3] On 26 November 2021, the Dolphins made their first major signing for their 2023 entry, recruiting Felise Kaufusi from the Melbourne Storm.[4]

In December 2021, it was confirmed that the QRL team the Central Queensland Capras had secured a full affiliation deal with the Dolphins.[5] The Capras and Dolphins deal will see as many as six Dolphins NRL players compete for the Capras in the Queensland Cup competition each week.[6] The redevelopment of Browne Park in Rockhampton will also likely see the Dolphins playing occasional NRL games at the venue.[6]

Name and colours[]

The Dolphins will retain the red and white of their Queensland Cup counterparts, with gold added to the colour scheme. The Dolphins will not use the 'Redcliffe' name in its NRL side, instead only referring to themselves by their moniker, with the intention of broadening their appeal beyond the Redcliffe peninsula.[2] [7] That decision was criticised by some as abandoning the club's heritage.[8][9]

Jerseys[]

On 27 October 2021, the Dolphins unveiled a heritage jersey design, inspired by the Redcliffe Dolphins jersey from the 1980s. The design is predominantly red, with white sleeves and a gold trim.[10]

Kit sponsors and manufacturers[]

Year Kit manufacturer Main shirt sponsor Back sponsors Sleeve sponsors Shorts sponsors
2023– Classic Sportswear — —

2023 signings[]

Home grounds[]

The Dolphins will play a majority of home games at the 52,500-capacity Suncorp Stadium, where the Brisbane Broncos also play. They also intend to play a handful of matches at Moreton Daily Stadium, which will also serve as a training and administration base, and Sunshine Coast Stadium.[21]

References[]

  1. ^ Gould, Joel (22 September 2020). "Dolphins bid 'NRL-ready' with new stadium complete". NRL.com. Retrieved 17 October 2021.
  2. ^ a b Kennedy, Chris (13 October 2021). "NRL-ready for 2023: Reasons behind Dolphins' successful bid". NRL.com. Retrieved 17 October 2021.
  3. ^ Proszenko, Michael (13 October 2021). "NRL open to adding 18th team after Dolphins get nod as new Brisbane club". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 17 October 2021.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  4. ^ "Dolphins snare Kaufusi in first major signing". National Rugby League. 2021-11-26. Retrieved 2021-11-26.
  5. ^ Emerton, Liam (1 December 2021). "Dolphins swimming with CQ talent". Central Queensland Today. Star News Group. Retrieved 4 February 2022.
  6. ^ a b McKay, Pam (1 December 2021). "CQ Capras secure affiliation with Dolphins, NRL's 17th franchise". The Morning Bulletin. News Corp Australia. Retrieved 4 February 2022.
  7. ^ "Years in the planning for Dolphins NRL bid". NRL.com. 13 October 2021.
  8. ^ Atfield, Cameron (2021-10-24). "What's in a name? When it comes to the Dolphins, everything". Brisbane Times. Retrieved 2021-12-07.
  9. ^ FitzSimons, Peter (2021-10-22). "Rich history, poor form: The shame about the name of NRL's newest club". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 2021-12-07.
  10. ^ Brad Walter (27 October 2021). "Dolphins snare Kaufusi in first major signing". National Rugby League.
  11. ^ "Storm co-captain signs with rival NRL club". wwos.nine.com.au.
  12. ^ "Kenny Bromwich to join Dolphins in 2023". February 3, 2022 – via www.news.com.au.
  13. ^ a b c "NRL 2022: Dolphins, Michael Roberts, Harrison Graham, Valynce Te Whare, 17th team announces young signings for 2023 - NRL". National Rugby League. December 16, 2021.
  14. ^ "Dolphins lure Isaako from Broncos in cross-town switch". National Rugby League. December 22, 2021.
  15. ^ "Dolphins confirm signing of teenage Panthers prodigy Isaiya Katoa on a three-year deal". www.sportingnews.com.
  16. ^ "Dolphins land Origin star as first marquee signing". wwos.nine.com.au.
  17. ^ Pryde, Scott (2022-02-01). "Dad's army: Journeyman set to become next Dolphins signing". Zero Tackle. Retrieved 2022-03-11.
  18. ^ "Shock lifeline emerges for fallen $1m star as NRL career hangs in the balance". Fox Sports. 2022-01-23. Retrieved 2022-02-22.
  19. ^ Benoiton, Jake (January 23, 2022). "OFFICIAL: Rabbitohs release prop as Bennett strikes". Zero Tackle.
  20. ^ "Eels forward Stone signs with Dolphins". ESPN.com. December 6, 2021.
  21. ^ Austadiums (13 October 2021). "Dolphins to join NRL in 2023, with Moreton Daily Stadium to host games". Austadiums.
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