Wayne Bennett’s Dolphins have issued a complaint to the Queensland government after a huge scheduling clash was revealed after the release of the 2024 draw.
The Courier Mail is reporting the Dolphins have multiple issues with their draw and have reached out to government officials for assistance.
Dolphins chief executive Terry Reader reportedly has concerns surrounding the schedule of Brisbane’s annual festival Riverfire, which brings around 500,000 visitors to the city.
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It coincides with the Dolphins’ biggest game of the year, a huge cross-town derby against the Broncos.
“We have contacted the Brisbane Festival to investigate what the opportunities might be to integrate the game into the build-up and celebrations around Riverfire,” Reader said to News Corp.
The Dolphins are also disgruntled by being the only club to play a game leading in to each of the three Origin fixtures, meaning a number of their star players could be sidelined.
Last year Bennett’s side were missing Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Tom Gilbert due to Origin commitments, while Tom Flegler is also a representative player.
“Unfortunately, we are the only side in the NRL to play before every Origin game,” Reader said.
“We have been given our final bye in round 18, but like all three of our bye weekends, not one of them is before or after any of the Origin games, which is not ideal for our representative players.”
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Meanwhile, Dolphins officials are also reportedly upset they have been handed the final game of Magic Round, taking on the Tigers at 6:25pm.
The game is scheduled as an away fixture for the NRL newcomers, and club officials are still hopeful their fans will turn out to watch their team play.
Rugby league legend Corey Parker also slammed the Dolphins’ draw and supported the opinion the club had been dudded.
“There has been some absolute rubbish thrown the Dolphins’ way,” Parker said on SEN.
“Pre-Origin, they are the only team there every single week. They faded at the back but they’ve been handed this draw.
“The biggest clash, the Dolphins up against the Broncos in Round 26 at Suncorp Stadium is (during) the Riverfire (Festival) where half a million people will be moving throughout the season.
“Magic Round is a carnival-like atmosphere and the Dolphins are playing the last game against the mighty Wests Tigers.
“At that point, people just want to go home and prepare for Monday and that there is just another low blow for the Dolphins.”
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