Melbourne Storm have moved to block new club the Dolphins from making a play for Harry Grant.
Grant was among a list of names that also includes Queensland Origin teammates Cameron Munster and Kalyn Ponga who the Dolphins are expected to make a bold play for ahead of their introduction into the competition in 2023.
However, according to The Australian 's Brent Read, the Storm have exercised a mutual option with Grant for 2023, taking him off the market and out of range of the new side until at least 2024.
“You can put a line through Harry Grant for the Dolphins,” Read said on Triple M's ' Rush Hour'.
“Harry had a mutual option in his contract, which means he could have taken it up or the club could take it up for the 2023 season.
“It is not due for months but Melbourne have informed Harry’s camp that they will take up that option.
“What that means is Grant will be a Storm player in 2023, so you can put a line through Harry being the first signing for the Dolphins. That won’t be happening.
“The Storm have also got Brandon Smith coming off-contract as well in 2022. They have at least now guaranteed that they have their hooking spot covered with Harry Grant.
“If Brandon Smith decides to go on the open market next year he will be inundated with offers, but the Storm have now got Harry Grant there anyway."
The news comes after Wayne Bennett was confirmed as the Dolphins' inaugural coach, putting pen to paper on a new four-year deal on Wednesday.
Bennett's arrival will come as another huge drawcard for the Dolphins in the player market, with the seven-time premiership-winning mentor set to begin the search for his first marquee recruits to build his team around.
While Grant is off the table, an abundance of star talent comes off-contract at the end of next season and is therefore open to offers from rival clubs for season 2023 as of November 1.
On that list is Cody Walker, whose strong relationship with Bennett over the past three years at South Sydney has been highlighted, while Storm stars Christian Welch and Camero Munster, Panthers powerhouse Viliame Kikau and Roosters centre Joey Manu have also all been raised as potential targets.
Bennett said on Wednesday luring a big fish in the player market will be one of his first tasks as Dolphins coach.
“You’ve got a $9.5 million salary cap and you know you have to get some marquee players and that will be our priority, then build the other players around them,” he said.
"The talent will come and we’ll grow the talent and find the talent, but it’s who we are and what we are that’s the important thing within clubs.
"I want guys who have got the love for the place and they want to be part of and there’s nothing greater for them than playing in front of their parents and friends and done that since they were six years old.
"That’s the thing I want to be really strong on, to make sure our talent doesn’t leave us."