Who Are the New Redcliffe Dolphins?
The Brisbane Dolphins are moving from Sydney to Queensland to expand their presence in the competition. The club’s license requires it to spend $2 million each year on participation initiatives and growing the game among women in Southeast Queensland. The move to Brisbane will help them to do both. And it’s also good news for the region, which has a significant number of rugby league fans. But the question is, who are the new members?
Redcliffe has been the name of the team since 1967, but a name change would also recognize the growing council area and body of water off Brisbane. Still, Redcliffe is a historical name that is synonymous with the community and region. On Thursday, Dolphins CEO Tony Murphy argued that the new name would better reflect the team’s national image. The club’s new coach, Wayne Bennett, was introduced. But when marketing experts weighed in, the club’s fans were left out.
After 33 years of planning and consultation, the NRL’s newest side will officially be named the Dolphins. The team will operate from the Moreton Daily Stadium in Redcliffe. However, the name “Dolphins” is still subject to change. While the club’s general manager Terry Reader has previously said that the Dolphins will consult the community about the name, he added that the club’s new name was still a subject of discussion.
While the NRL has received criticism for introducing a team in the heartland of rugby league, these critics are ignoring the benefits of adding a team in this area. Adding a team to Brisbane will not only make the league more competitive, but it will also expand the game outside the city. The club also plans to partner with two or three Queensland Cup clubs to help out in regional competitions. All this is good for the franchise, and it will help to attract a younger crowd.
The Redcliffe Dolphins are a feeder club of the Brisbane Broncos next season. The club has enjoyed a successful partnership with the Sydney City Roosters and Arthur Beetson often acts as a player scout for the Roosters. However, it is time for a fresh start. The Redcliffe Dolphins have already identified a dozen or so players and are ready to take the next step.
In addition to Collins, the Dolphins have signed another promising player in young Tom Gilbert. The former Queensland Cup prop has already played at the NRL level 16 times, and his experience in the game has given him a strong edge over his competitors. But the Dolphins must find value in every player they sign. For their part, they have recruited high-upside youngster Tom Gilbert as well. And they have also signed Felise Kaufusi, a seasoned coach with a proven track record in the NRL.
While the NRL is deciding on the team’s name and location, the Dolphins’ geographic district is still a matter of contention. The Dolphins’ geographical district is not determined yet, but the Dolphins plan to be based in Redcliffe, 40km north of Brisbane. But while Redcliffe is the most geographically diverse bid, the city also sits inside one of the ten fastest-growing local government areas in Australia.
In the future, Redcliffe will join the NRL, replacing the Jets. The team was voted into the competition by the Australian Rugby League Commission, and will be known as The Dolphins. The Redcliffe Dolphins were beaten by the Jets and the Firehawks before the decision was made. If they get their NRL licence, they will become the 17th team in the competition. They will be the fourth team in the state of Queensland, second only to the Brisbane Broncos.
Isaako has been one of the best players in the game under Wayne Bennett. In 2018 alone, he kicked 97 goals and scored 25 tries. Those statistics are a big boost for his team, and will allow the team to improve on their season-by-season record. If you’re looking for more in-depth information about the team, you can subscribe to the Wide World of Sports newsletter.
