Bennett explains why he signed Nicholls

Joel Gould | December 7, 2022

Veteran prop Mark Nicholls was recruited by Wayne Bennett to new NRL club the Dolphins to lay a foundation of impeccable culture and standards and the 32-year-old can’t wait to get to work.

Nicholls played his best football at South Sydney during Bennett’s three years as coach.

“A few of the boys give me a bit of stick about whether he is my dad or not,” Nicholls grinned when speaking of their bond.

Nicholls has played 128 NRL games at Canberra, Melbourne and Souths. He knows starting on the right footing at a new club is crucial to success.

“I spent some time at the Raiders and the Storm and they spoke about the guys that wore the first jersey,” Nicholls said.

“They didn’t at Souths because they have been around too long, but those first guys set the culture and standard. Not long after both those clubs had success.

“It is not lost on me that I will be a foundation player at this club. The club has done a wonderful job to get ready and they will have success, no doubt. I can’t wait to play some footy.”

Bennett said Nicholls was articulate with a tremendous attitude and great attention to detail. He’s not flash, but Bennett has always liked forwards in his teams that he can trust to compete and do their job from the first minute until the last.

“Mark is one of those understated players in the game but I always valued him since the day I went to South Sydney,” Bennett said.

“Is he in the top 10 athletes you are ever going to see in your life? No, he’s not. He is comfortable being Mark Nicholls.

“He is one of those guys you can trust and totally rely on. That’s why I brought him here because I want to build a club on men like him.”

Nicholls chuckled when asked about the circumstances of his recruitment, recalling how Bennett sent him a simple text message that said, ‘Do you want to have some fun?’

Nicholls has close knowledge of the pack he will line up alongside after playing at the Storm with new key Dolphin forwards Jesse Bromwich, Kenny Bromwich and Felise Kaufusi.

“I spent a couple of years down in Melbourne with them and know what they can bring. Forwards win games and the backs decide by how much.

“We’ll have to turn up every week as a pack, get on the front foot and play aggressive otherwise we’ll be in for a long year but I am excited to get back with those boys.”