The Dolphins are yet to make the splash many expected in the NRL free agency market for the 2023 season.
The Redcliffe based club have been free to talk to off-contract players from November 1, but their only major signing thus far is Storm forward Felise Kaufusi to a three-year deal.
With a lack of star power in their playing ranks at this stage, The Daily Telegraph’s David Riccio believes the Dolphins may not be competitive in their first season in the competition.
“I think it’s starting to get to the point where you can start to push the trajectory of the Dolphins back 12 months,” Riccio said on SEN 1170 Breakfast.
“I mean that by the fact that the roster build just hasn’t been there and they’re fast running out of high-quality talent on the market to sign for 2023.
“We know as you mentioned, (they missed out on) (Sio Siua) Taukeiaho, Christian Welch and Brandon Smith, they came in late, very late with a big offer around 600 to 650 thousand dollars for Blayke Brailey from the Sharks.
“I firmly believe that the market is closing fast for the Dolphins to be competitive in 2023.
“Granted, Wayne Bennett will be at the helm and whenever Bennett is a coach of a side, you’d like to think they’d be competitive.
“The high-quality players that we thought they’d attract, it’s just not happening.”
The Dolphins will play their first NRL game in Round 1, 2023.