Jack Bostock has indicated he wants to remain with the Dolphins, as contract talks with the club move towards a conclusion ahead of his preliminary-final meeting with the Sydney Roosters.
The 23-year-old, who becomes a free agent on November 1, has developed into one of the NRL’s most improved players since joining the Dolphins. He will line up at centre on Friday night after a breakthrough season that included his State of Origin debut for New South Wales.
“I would like to stay here for sure,” Bostock said.
Negotiations are continuing after the Dolphins recently secured the futures of utility Brad Schneider, second-rower Kulikefu Finefeuiaki and wingers Tevita Naufahu and Selwyn Cobbo.
Bostock said contract discussions could wait until after the finals, with the Dolphins preparing for their preliminary final against the Roosters.
“I’ve played here with a lot of mates that I’ve grown up with the last four years and that helps but I will sort all that out after the finals. It is not the time to be talking contracts now,” he said.
His rise began when he signed a development deal with the Dolphins in 2023, having impressed for the Illawarra Steelers in the SG Ball competition and for New South Wales under-19s.
At the time, the club was still assembling its inaugural NRL squad. Bostock recalled that there were not even 13 players available when he committed, but said meetings with foundation coach Wayne Bennett and recruitment chief Peter O’Sullivan gave him confidence in the project.
“When I signed at the Dolphins there wasn’t even a full team of 13 to field a side,” Bostock said.
“It was a bit of a leap of faith but I met with Wayne Bennett and Peter O’Sullivan. That gave me a lot of confidence because we all know what calibre of squad those two blokes can build.
“There was a bit of risk in it but I’m glad I took that risk.”
Bostock was elevated to the Dolphins’ top-30 squad in the week of their round-one clash with the Roosters in 2023. He did not play in that match, but has since become a regular first choice.
His progress this season followed a return from an anterior cruciate ligament injury and a switch from the wing to centre. After training in the position and playing a Queensland Cup match there, he made his NRL return at centre against Melbourne.
“The year I’ve had is a pretty good one,” Bostock said.
“I always believed I could do it. I had a couple of goals I set for this season and Origin was one of them.”
He now hopes to help the Dolphins reach the grand final, with the prospect of winning a premiership in only their first four years in the NRL providing an added incentive.
“It would mean a lot to me and everyone else in the locker room here to win [a premiership],” he said.
“It would be great if we could do it inside the first four years of us being in the NRL, just massive, not just for the playing group but for everyone that played a part to get us here.”
