The NRL’s newest club is set to meet with Wayne Bennett as the Dolphins close in on appointing the seven-time premiership winner as their inaugural head coach.

Bennett will have lunch with Dolphins officials at the Redcliffe Leagues Club on Friday, two days after the NRL confirmed the club would be the competition’s 17th franchise.

The former Brisbane, South Sydney, Newcastle and St George Illawarra mentor is regarded as a lock for the Dolphins coaching role, with an announcement expected next week.

Friday’s discussions are expected to be nothing more than a formal step in the recruitment process with Bennett having already reportedly agreed to a three-year deal to coach the club.

Bennett is seen as the perfect man for the role given his standing within the game and ability to recruit talent.

“If you want to be the best in the land you hire the best people in the land,” Dolphins’ chairman Bob Jones said earlier this week.

“I would think that if Wayne is not the best in the land he is right up there.”

The 71-year-old also possesses a history of establishing an expansion club, having taking the Broncos from their inaugural campaign in 1988 through six premierships before his initial departure from Red Hill in 2008.

Once the appointment is finalised, Bennett’s first task will be building a roster for the Dolphins’ entry into the league in 2023 with the player market opening on November 1.

AAP

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