Wayne Bennett confirms interest in Munster and Milford but cools talk of Panthers swoop

Wayne Bennett has confirmed he is in the hunt to sign Cameron Munster but says a deal has not been agreed for Penrith Panthers star Sean O’Sullivan.

The Dolphins coach has a roster to fill for their inaugural NRL campaign in 2023. Bennett has been heavily linked with Munster but has now confirmed his interest.

Munster is under contract with the Melbourne Storm until the end of 2023. The Storm are keen to extend his contract but it is thought he would have to take a pay cut. That could open the door for the Dolphins to swoop in.

O’Sullivan is a Dolphins target

Reports have also claimed that the Dolphins have agreed a deal for O’Sullivan. The 23-year-old caught the eye when filling in for star Panthers half Nathan Cleary. He is off contract at the end of the season and would be a strong addition.

Bennett has confirmed O’Sullivan is an option, but has denied a deal has been done. And it was while being quizzed about O’Sullivan he spilt the beans about Munster.

Not only that, he confirmed former Brisbane playmaker Anthony Milford is also a target. Milford has just signed a deal with Newcastle for the rest of 2022. But he could be available from 2023.

“A lot will depend on if we can get guys like Cameron Munster and Anthony Milford,” Bennett told reporters. “We won’t be jumping at shadows now. We have to be patient with our recruitment.

“There is still another six months to go (before pre-season) and a lot of football to be played.”

Munster will have to decide whether he wants to stay with the Storm or move on. He will not be short of options with the Brisbane Broncos also linked. But the Storm have confirmed he will not be allowed to leave early.

Wayne Bennett cools rumours

That means Bennett could turn to either Milford or O’Sullivan for 2023. Both are available and could be lured to Redcliffe. But as things stand O’Sullivan has not signed.

“I am not going to lie about this, we haven’t signed Sean O’Sullivan,” Bennett added. “We haven’t spoken to him but that is not to say we wouldn’t consider Sean down the track.

“I know who is off-contract in the NRL and Sean is off-contract. He is a player we may well want to talk to but as of today, there’s been no conversations. We have not tabled an offer.”

Halfbacks are definitely a must for Bennett though. For now he only has the inexperienced Isaiya Katoa.