Dolphins boss says club won’t backflip after calls to change name
THE defiant Dolphins have rejected claims they misled local backers and insist they will not be adopting Moreton Bay in their NRL club name, despite public pressure.
The Dolphins’ landmark announcement on Thursday morning that foundation coach Wayne Bennett had signed a four-year deal with the expansion club was hijacked following a stinging attack from local figures.
News Corp revealed Moreton Bay Mayor Peter Flannery, Queensland Origin legend Petero Civoniceva and influential federal defence minister Peter Dutton were leading a chorus of voices demanding the Dolphins add Moreton Bay to their name.
In an attempt to not alienate potential supporters and create a “national brand”, the
NRL’s 17th club will be known simply as the “Dolphins” despite being based in Redcliffe.
The New Zealand-based Warriors are the only other NRL club to not have a locality attached to their name.
Council figures claimed they financially supported Redcliffe and the Dolphins’ bid, providing $10m, with the understanding the team would be named the Moreton Bay Dolphins.
Dolphins Group boss Tony Murphy said the club would not be pressured into changing its name and the Dolphins were here to stay ahead of their NRL launch in 2023.
“We’re known as the Dolphins and that’s what we’ll be known as,” he said.
“I’m pretty good mates with Peter Flannery and all of the councillors. I’ve known Peter for 20 years and get on very well with him.
“Peter is very keen to push his agenda which as Mayor of Moreton Bay Regional Council, he’s got to do that.
“It’s all part of his job. I can understand they really need to have something that can solidify their council.
“We’re in Moreton Bay, that’s where our base is and where we’re operating from, but we’re a national brand and need to appeal to way more people than southeast
Queensland.”
Murphy denied Flannery and others were guaranteed the team would be known as the Moreton Bay Dolphins during the bidding process and said the club could survive if council pulled its funding.
“We have, it has been told to them,” he said. “With the amount of sponsors that have been knocking on our door, I’m sure we’ll have that covered (if they withdraw).”