The Dolphins made a winning NRL debut against the Sydney Roosters on Sunday with 32,000 of their fans packing Suncorp Stadium, but one thing was missing: the Redcliffe name.
Now a new documentary titled dolphin sunrise on Stan Originals has revealed the reason.
While the Dolphins mightily impressed in their first game, there was much speculation about the name of the new franchise in its early stages.
The three-part documentary series Dawn of the Dolphins is now streaming on Stan Originals and features behind-the-scenes footage of the rise of the new NRL franchise.
Dolphins fans hold a try against the Roosters on Sunday. Some would have liked to see Redcliffe’s name live, and now the reason why he was removed has come to light.
The Redcliffe Dolphins have a proud history dating back to 1947 and the club has produced a long list of legends including the late Artie Beetson, Brent Tate and Petero Civoniceva.
However, as the team was looking to capture a larger catchment area, names like Moreton Bay Dolphins and Brisbane Dolphins were suggested.
Ultimately, they were turned down and the club removed the location entirely and only performed with The Dolphins.
This decision was made during the bidding process and it can be revealed that the NRL would not allow the club to be called the Redcliffe Dolphins while there was already a team with the same name in Queensland Cup competition.
That’s despite the fact that several NSW Cup teams have the same name as their NRL counterparts, including Penrith Panthers and Newcastle Knights.
“Our catchment area is north of Brisbane, through Moreton Bay, across the Sunshine Coast and into central Queensland,” Dolphins head of media and engagement Trad McLean said.
So Redcliffe never went to work. And we already have the Redcliffe Dolphins, you can’t have two teams with the same name.’
Bennett arrives at the premiere of the documentary series ‘Dawn of the Dolphins’ at Palace Barracks Cinema in Brisbane
So it was the Dolphins who put together a memorable 28-18 victory over the Roosters under the guidance of super coach Wayne Bennett.
While fans would have been right to doubt how open Bennett would be to being filmed for the new documentary, he knew that providing insider access was essential to building the new brand.
That didn’t make things any easier for the 73-year-old, who admits that his introverted personality makes it exceptionally challenging to be an NRL manager.
“I’m fighting that sitting here with you,” he says at the opening of Dawn of the Dolphins while speaking to one of the documentary’s creators.
‘I probably decided a couple of hours ago that I really don’t want to talk to you today.
“I was going to keep it all pretty short and pretty sharp, which I have, but I’ve given a little bit of myself.
‘I don’t like to give of myself publicly, it’s just not what introverts are.
Bennett has a smile and some kind words for fullback Hamiso Tabui-Fidow, who made an incredible debut for his new club.
All my life I fought against it. But I won the battle because I couldn’t train if I was an introvert, I have to be able to communicate.
‘I can’t tell you the days and the times in the days that I have to fight myself to talk to someone, not because I don’t want to talk, because I just don’t want to talk right there and well. so and I don’t want to have the conversation, but I have to have it and I have to.’
Outside of essential media engagements, though, don’t expect Bennett to say much.
‘Am I worried about someone saying “you don’t talk much, Wayne”? None of that worries me. I speak to convey my message and then I’m going to shut up.
Speaking at a Youth Rugby Coaches Forum at Nudgee in Brisbane, Bennett revealed more about what makes him arguably the greatest manager in rugby league history.
He offered some simple tips to players.
“Don’t show up with a haircut like that,” he said between laughs.
I only have two rules. The first rule is not to be late, I hate when people are late.
‘Because all you’re telling me is that you’re more important than the rest of us.
‘The second is to stay out of jail. But sometimes I’ll be flexible with that if I need you in the game.
Bennett takes time to meet new Dolphins fans and sign autographs after their NRL debut win over the Sydney Roosters.
He then offered advice to aspiring coaches on how they can get the most out of their career, at any level.
“I’m passionate about it, I’ve given my life to the young, I guess at the expense of the family,” he said.
‘No one of us is perfect. Be the best coach you can be.
‘And if you’re not a great coach, just be a damn good guy because the youngsters need you.
They need your guidance and they need your help.
All the players you are going to train are not going to be superstars, but there are many good men among them and you will have a great influence on their lives.
‘There’s a great line that says you know an original is worth much more than a copy. Just be yourself. They will love you for it.