Wayne Bennett has been unveiled as the Dolphins head coach as the NRL expansion club begin to build toward their maiden campaign in 2023.

The first coach to take four different teams to a grand final, Bennett was confirmed as the club’s foundation NRL coach at Redcliffe Leagues Club on Thursday.

It’s the same role he undertook with Brisbane in 1988.

Prior to his appointment at the Broncos, Bennett jointly led the Canberra Raiders – with Don Furner – to the NSWRL grand final in 1987 before heading back to Queensland for 20 years.

The 71-year-old steered Brisbane to premiership glory in 1992 and spearheaded them for 532 games, winning six premierships, before departing in 2008.

He has since led St George Illawarra and South Sydney to grand finals, amounting to 10 in his career, the most of any coach in NRL history.

Bennett was also named Dally M coach of the year in 2015 and led Queensland’s State of Origin team to series wins in 1987, 1988, 1998, 2001 and 2020 across three different stints as coach.

His appointment on a four-year deal is sure to aid the Dolphins as they become eligible to start signing players from November 1.

The Dolphins are the first NRL expansion team to join the competition since Gold Coast in 2007.

On average the wait time for premiership victories for expansion clubs is 20 years, but Bennett was able to buck the trend by winning a title in five with the Broncos.

AAP

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