Dolphins poach Broncos enforcer
THE Dolphins have continued their raid on the Broncos with Wayne Bennett successfully poaching Brisbane enforcer Tom Flegler.
Just days after it was announced Herbie Farnworth would quit the Broncos for the Dolphins in 2024, his teammate Flegler told Brisbane officials on Sunday that he was also leaving at the end of the season.
The Dolphins have edged the Sydney Roosters and Manly to secure his services it is understood Flegler also informed Sydney clubs of his plans on Sunday afternoon.
The dual loss of Farnworth and Flegler is a body blow for the Broncos on the eve of their season opener against the Panthers on Friday night.
Like Farnworth, Flegler is contracted to the Broncos for the rest of this season and will play out the year for Brisbane, but he will be part of the Dolphins’ revolution when he arrives at Redcliffe next year on a four-year deal.
The Broncos were hopeful of keeping Flegler, but were simply blown out of the water by the Dolphins, who are building a more promising roster with the acquisition of Flegler and Farnworth.
“The Dolphins have always said that our recruitment strategy was about building a club with a strong future, rather than just for season 2023,” said Dolphins chief executive Terry Reader.
“The signatures of Tom and Herbie Farnworth are great examples of that strategy at work. We are very excited about what these two players can add to the squad we have already assembled.
“It is also a huge boost for us as we get ready to play our first ever NRL match next weekend – this truly is an exhilarating time for all of the Dolphins’ members and our fans.”
Four clubs had expressed interest in the off-contract Flegler, including the Roosters, who are planning for life after front-row hardman Jared Waerea-Hargreaves.
Fellow Sydney-based club Manly last year tabled a sixyear, $675,000 offer worth $4m for Flegler, but the Broncos bookend would prefer to remain in Queensland.
That made the Dolphins the primary threat to the Broncos and Bennett has struck again, landing a onetwo poaching punch on Brisbane coach Kevin Walters.
The Broncos, whose offer was less attractive financially, refused to get into a bidding war. Over a three-year term, it is understood Flegler stands to make $150,000 more annually at the Dolphins.
The Dolphins trumped Brisbane with a deal for Farnworth that was in excess of $700,000 a season and they had the cash reserves under the salary cap to do the same with Flegler. As part of their roster management and succession planning, the Broncos have classified Payne Haas and Pat Carrigan as their two top dogs in the middle.
The 23-year-old Flegler has played 74 games for the Broncos since his NRL debut in 2019 and Dolphins recruitment chief Peter O’Sullivan is a massive fan of the Tully tearaway.