“I hope he works with us throughout his career”: Bennett bestows great appreciation on the just resigned young.
Despite being in his last season as a Dolphins coach, Wayne Bennett has not held back while expressing his happiness in Isaiya Katoa’s re-signing.
The youthful halfback, who joined the Dolphins from the Penrith Panthers before the team’s debut season and has rapidly established himself as a key member of the Redcliffe-based team’s core, re-signed with the organization this week, committing to play for at least the remainder of 2028.
With two victories, a loss, and a bye through the first month of play, the NRL’s 17th team—who currently sit atop the ladder—has made a huge move. Round 4 games begin on Sunday afternoon.
Bennett expressed his wish that Katoa stays a Dolphin for the duration of his career, citing Katoa’s significant contribution to the season’s early success.
“I’m happy for the club and for him [Isaiya Katoa]. There’s no reason why he shouldn’t stay with us for the rest of his career, and I sincerely hope he does. After a great showing in the Dolphins’ thrilling comeback victory over the Titans on Saturday night, Bennett commented about Katoa, “I know he is happy there. It wasn’t difficult to sign him. There was no long procrastinated negotiations.”
“He has an amazing future ahead of him. In that position, we believe we have a long-term future, we need a player. Since he is twenty years old, maybe it continues to function.”
One of the brightest young prospects in the game, Katoa had over 300 kicking metres on Saturday night. With his new deal, he will probably play near to or over 100 games for the Dolphins before he returns to the bargaining table.
The 20-year-old, who has also represented Tonga internationally, has featured in 22 NRL games during his rookie season last year and has garnered a lot of acclaim from his teammates for a variety of aspects of his game.
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