Bennett pays tribute to players, Bromwich at awards

Photo: Dominika Lis

Dolphins NRL Head Coach Wayne Bennett spoke of his pride in the club’s playing group at the 2024 Dolphins Presentation Ball at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre last night, as he closed the book on two years at the helm.

About 600 people attended the gala event to celebrate the club’s second season in the NRL, which saw them face significant injury challenges head-on and perform better than they did in their inaugural season last year.

The Dolphins narrowly missed out on a spot in the 2024 finals but continue to grow as a club and playing group.

Bennett, who leaves the club for South Sydney next year, said: “Premierships are so hard to win and there’s only one team every year that’s going to win one of those but what you do want to do is have a team that your proud of, a team that the fans are proud of and you don’t always have to be first to be that.

“You’ve got a great group of men here. Their time will come but the stepping stones are already there – comradeship, the mateship, playing for each other. We did that better than most teams I’ve coached for a long time.

“To the playing group, I have great admiration for you. I’m 37 years NRL Coach and I’m as proud of you as I’ve been proud of any team that I’ve coached.

“We overcame so many obstacles. At one stage we had nine NRL players missing with injuries but we went out and we played with pride, we played with passion and the things I believe all rugby league teams should have.”

The club celebrated the playing career of captain Jesse Bromwich and brother Kenny led a moving Haka to honour the man who has been integral to building the playing group’s culture of tenacity, perseverance and hard work.

“Our captain Jesse was outstanding. I never had any doubt the day I first saw him that he’d be captain of the club. He grew as a captain as well. He was on his last season with us this year and I thought he played his best football I’d seen him play in the last three or four years,” Bennett said.

He also paid tribute to the rest of the leadership group including Felise Kaufusi, Kenny Bromwich, Mark Nicholls and Tom Gilbert.

“I set the standards, but they lived them and they drove the players and I’ve got to say the players didn’t take too much driving but they were outstanding,” Bennett said.

While there was much to celebrate this season, Bennett also reflected on disappointments.

“The most disappointing part for me this season was the injury to Tom Gilbert. I think the world of him and the boys love him. It’s been a year and half now that he hasn’t been able to play,” he said.

“He epitomises the game and the things that make great rugby league players on and off the field. He’s a wonderful young man.

“My other disappointment was for Tom Flegler. Tom’s one of our major imports ... again just a freakish thing happened. He’s just had an operation now and hopefully it will sort it out and hopefully he’ll be back playing next year.”

Assistant Coach Kristian Woolf will take on the top job next season, a plan set in motion soon after the club gained its NRL licence.

“When I look at the Dolphins’ future, I have great confidence in it. I have great confidence in all these men sitting here. We’ve got some wonderful young players ... and I have no doubt about their future,” Bennett said.

“I’m confident in Kristian. I’ve worked with him for two years and he came on a deal that we all worked out before he came. He was great to work with and he’ll do a wonderful job. He’s got a team here who’s ready to play for him.”

2024 Award winners

Fan-voted MVP

Hamiso Tabuai- Fidow

Academic Award

Tom Gilbert

Rookie of the Year

Jack Bostock

Best Forward

Max Plath

Best Back

Herbie Farnworth

Most Consistent

Mark Nicholls

Players’ Player

Max Plath

Club Person of the Year

Natalie Campbell

Arthur Beetson Medal for Player of the Year

Max Plath

The Dolphins also honoured milestone players Mark Nicholls (150 games), Felise Kaufusi (200 games), Kodi Nikorima (200 games) and Kenny Bromwich 250 games.

Photos: Dolphins NRL Media