The Dolphins ongoing hunt for signatures is continuing, but with the club now having more than half of their top 30 squad signed for the 2023 season, we can start to work out what their inaugural 17 is going to look like.
An experienced forward pack, led by Melbourne Storm trio Jesse Bromwich, Felise Kaufusi, Kenneath Bromwich and Jarrod Wallace leads the way, while Mark Nicholls has also been picked up from the South Sydney Rabbitohs.
Hard-hitting lock and hooker Ray Stone will also make the move from the Parramatta Eels, while Tom Gilbert and JJ Collins are already beginning to add depth to the forward pack.
Euan Aitken is another signing who will bring plenty of talent and experience to the club, with the ability for the former Warrior to play in either the centres or in the second row.
Connelly Lemuelu is another who has been signed. Formerly a centre, he made a jump to the back row during the off-season and will provide strong depth for Bennett in both positions.
A backline looking skinny on on depth has included the likes of Jamayne Isaako, Brenko Lee, Robert Jennings and Edrick Lee, while Sean O'Sullivan has recently come on board.
The huge signing of Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow late in the piece though has alleviated some of those issues.
Anthony Milford is another high-profile signing, re-uniting with Wayne Bennett and bringing some much-needed experience to the spine.
The Dolphins have also added Canterbury Bulldogs utility Jeremy Marshall-King to their side for 2023.
The club have also already signed five of their six development players, with the recent addition of HostPlus Cup star Jeremiah Simbiken.
Here is how the Dolphins are shaping up for 2023.
The best 17
1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
2. Jamayne Isaako
3. Oliver Gildart
4. Euan Aitken
5. Edrick Lee
6. Anthony Milford
7. Sean O'Sullivan
8. Jesse Bromwich
9. Jeremy Marshall-King
10. Mark Nicholls
11. Felise Kaufusi
12. Kenneath Bromwich
13. Tom Gilbert
14. Kodi Nikorima
15. Jarrod Wallace
16. Connelly Lemuelu
17. Ray Stone
Rest of top 30
18. Valynce Te Whare
19. Mason Teague
20. JJ Collins
21. Isaiya Katoa
22. Herman Ese'ese
23. Brenko Lee
24. Poasa Faamausili
25. Robert Jennings
26. No player signed
27. No player signed
28. No player signed
29. No player signed
30. No player signed
Development players
31. Jack Bostock
32. Harrison Graham
33. Ryan Jackson
34. Michael Roberts
35. Jeremiah Simbiken
36. No player signed
Dolphins signing tracker
November 26, 2021: Dolphins land first signing
December 7, 2021: Dolphins make second signing as Eels lose another
December 16, 2021: Harrison Graham, Michael Roberts and Valynce Te Whare sign on
December 22, 2021: Jamayne Isaako makes switch to Redcliffe
January 21, 2022: Jesse Bromwich adds more Melbourne experience to Dolphins
January 24, 2022: Rabbitohs release Nicholls to join Dolphins
February 3, 2022: Bromwich double act as Kenny moves north
February 18, 2022: Isaiya Katoa abandons Penrith for Redcliffe
April 26, 2022: Tom Gilbert makes move south to join Dolphins
May 3, 2022: Jack Bostock joins as development player
May 6, 2022: Dolphins make double strike on Queensland-based forwards
May 9, 2022: Dolphins add to backline as Panther heads north
May 11, 2022: Young Cowboy Conelly Lemuelu makes shift to Redcliffe
May 16, 2022: Edrick Lee signs on with Dolphins
May 25, 2022: Euan Aitken becomes latest Dolphin following Warriors release
June 2, 2022: Jeremy Marshall-King signs on for Dolphins
June 9, 2022: Jarrod Wallace becomes latest experienced forward to sign on with Dolphins
June 23, 2022: Double trouble: Brenko Lee joins cousin at Redcliffe
June 29, 2022: Sean O'Sullivan becomes first NRL-experienced half to join
July 4, 2022: Dolphins snare yet another Panther
July 12, 2022: Kodi Nikorima joins Dolphins
July 21, 2022: Dolphins secure ex-Origin playmaker
August 25, 2022: Dolphins promote young Papuan excitement machine
September 29, 2022: Herman Ese'ese links with Dolphins
October 5, 2022: Dolphins snare released Cowboys Tabuai-Fidow
October 18, 2022: Dolphins add another depth option in middle third as Faamausili signs on
October 31, 2022: Oliver Gildart adds more depth to Dolphins' backline
With the back line looking so skinny and inexperienced, Wayne could do worse than look at Mawene Hiroti from Cronulla. Played 14 times for the Sharks last season, but has cracked the side only once this year, competing against Tracey, Talaki, Ramien, Mulitalo and Katoa. Hiroti is off contract at the end of the season, and probably wouldn’t cost too much.