I reckon all the NRL player agents will be celebrating Christmas early this year.

As in next Monday, November 1. That’s the day that they can start negotiating with clubs on behalf of their players, and thanks to the arrival of the Dolphins, this is going to be the biggest trading period since the Super League war broke out on April Fools’ Day, 1995.

Of course, there is one major difference. When the Dolphins go to the market on Monday, they will be restricted by a $9.5 million salary cap whereas back when the Kerry Packer-bankrolled ARL and Ruper Murdoch-financed Super League went wallet-to-wallet, it was open slather. Which means that the Dolphins will have to buy wisely, but even so, no matter who they end up signing every other club is going to have up the ante to hold on to the off-contract players they don’t want to lose.

It’s the type of scenario player agents and manager dream about. It is also why every off-contract player in the game is telling any press and TV reporter who will listen that they are keen to be the face of the new franchise. Seriously, if the Dolphins ended up signing every player who has been linked to them over the last few weeks, they’ll have a squad of 60 and be about $20 million over the cap. Obviously that not going to happen, but it does give Wayne Bennett a very good selection of cattle to choose from.

So, who is going to be running out in the Dolphins red, white and gold jersey for round one 2023? Picking out the biggest names from the dozens that have been mentioned as possible recruits, I see three key signings that will determine the new club’s future. Will it be Kalyn Ponga, Cameron Munster or Cody Walker as the X-factor; Brandon Smith, Harry Grant or Reed Mahony at hooker, and Christian Welch, Tito Fa’asuamaleaui, Reagan Campbell-Gillard or Viliame Kikau providing the grunt up front? Ponga and Munster would want well over $1 million a season, so the Dolphins can’t afford both.

Personally, I’d go for Ponga. He’s more marketable with the youth sector and less trouble off the field. If the budget stretched that far I’d definitely make a play for Walker as well. My pick of the hookers would be Smith because he can also play halfback or even prop, but my feeling is that he and Grant will stay put in Melbourne and Mahony will get the gig.

I wouldn’t make a huge play for Kikau as he looked to be running out of steam a bit this season. Welch would be a great signing because he is a total cleanskin, works his heart out every game and has come through the Storm system. Big Tino is still learning but if he could be fitted in under the cap, he’d be more than handy. As for the others who have been named in dispatches, I’m sure Bennett would love to get his hands on Joey Manu and Angus Crichton if the money is right.

Either way, I reckon he’s going to have one heck of a team which means it’s not just the players and their managers who will be getting their Christmas presents early. It’s the fans too.

What do YOU Reckon?
 
Agree: Ponga and Walker would be a great combination and Brandon Smith would be the cherry on the cake.

Disagree: Ponga drifts in and out of games and spends too much time injured. Munster is a big match player and Bennett would sort out any attitude issues.