Dolphins coach Wayne Bennett has finally landed his first NRL player, with Storm veteran Felise Kaufusi signing from the 2023 season on a three-year deal. It’s the first splash the Dolphins have made since the expansion side hit the open market on November 1. Since that date, NRL players coming off contract at the end of next season have been allowed to negotiate with rival clubs. The Dolphins have been linked to a host of stars but missed out on all of them, until now. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui, Patrick Carrigan, Reed Mahoney, Christian Welch, Isaiah Papali’i, Harry Grant, Reegan Campbell Gillard and Cody Walker were all linked to the Dolphins before signing elsewhere. Kaufusi, 29, has played 152 NRL games for the Storm and represented both Australia and Queensland. The second-rower played under Bennett during the Maroons’ victorious 2020 State of Origin series. Former Queensland under-18 representative Harrison Graham was the first player signed by Dolphins but he is yet to make his NRL debut. Graham is currently training with the Broncos on a train-and-trial contract this summer and could be picked up by the club for the 2022 season. “It is imperative the Dolphins build a squad that contains players of representative calibre and Felise certainly fits that mould,” Dolphins chief executive Terry Reader said “He has played 12 Origin matches for Queensland as well as representing Australia, so will bring some important experience to the playing group we are building to debut in the competition. “The fact that that he grew up in Bundaberg is also a positive for Queensland’s newest professional sporting team.”