O'Sullivan signs - Bennett gets playmaker he wanted

Wayne Bennett has snagged a halfback he always wanted to coach with the Dolphins announcing the signing of Penrith Panthers’ playmaker Sean O’Sullivan.

O’Sullivan will join the Dolphins on a three-year deal that will give him the opportunity to take the steering wheel in the club’s foundation years.

At just 23 years of age, O’Sullivan has shown his playmaking abilities in NRL season 2022.

In four matches deputising for Grand Final-winning halfback Nathan Cleary, O’Sullivan demonstrated his class in helping the Panthers win those games.

First choice

Now he will get a shot at being the first-choice half for the Dolphins, an opportunity head coach Bennett is keen to give him.

Bennett actually signed O’Sullivan to the Broncos in 2018, but left the Brisbane club before the half had a chance to play for them.

The pair will now unite and have the opportunity to re-write that history.

'Very excited'

Dolphins’ chief executive Terry Reader said O’Sullivan would get the chance to make one of the club’s halves positions his own.

“We are very excited to be bringing Sean to the Dolphins,” said Reader.

“He showed last year with the Warriors that he was a quality playmaker, and he has backed that up with his performances for the Panthers this year.

“Our coach Wayne Bennett is especially pleased to finally be able to coach one that got away from him.

Filling major void

“He recruited Sean to a contract with the Broncos before he moved to the Rabbitohs, and now he will get to work with him in a new team.

“Sean fills a major need on our roster and we look forward to seeing what he can do in the Dolphins’ colours.”

O’Sullivan has played 25 NRL matches since debuting as a 19-year-old for the Roosters in 2018, having to overcome a serious knee injury the following season.

He re-established himself in the NRL last year, playing 12 matches for the Warriors before joining the reigning premiers Penrith in the off-season.