Wayne Bennett promises to not 'destroy' Dolphins when he moves back to South Sydney

Dolphins coach Wayne Bennett has promised his current side that he won't "destroy" them when it comes time to part ways at season's end.

His comments come after news broke that Bennett will return to South Sydney next year after agreeing to a three-year deal to coach the team.

The 74-year-old supercoach has agreed to a contract worth $3 million, according to The Sydney Morning Herald.

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While Bennett hasn't yet signed the papers, that is expected to be done in the coming days.

It ends weeks of speculation that he was set to head back to Sydney for a second stint with the Bunnies.

Now, after the Dolphins' 24-12 win over the Wests Tigers on Sunday night, Bennett has made a promise to his side that he won't poach when he moves to South Sydney.

"I won't be taking any of their kids that they want to keep. That's not going to happen," Bennett said post match.

"I didn't set around building this club to try and destroy it. That's just not going to happen."

Despite his denial that he would take the team apart when he heads interstate, Bennett didn't shut himself off to the possibility of out-of-favour Dolphins joining him at the Bunnies.

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"If there's a guy there that they're not offering a contract to, or he's looking to go somewhere else and I think he can play a bit, well that will be different," Bennett said.

"But I want all these players to stay."

When asked if he has mixed feeling about moving on at the end of the season, Bennett was stark in his response.

"Nope, none at all," he said post match.

On top of that, Bennett was adamant that his move is not and will not be a distraction to the Dolphins for the remainder of 2024.

"Everybody knew I was finishing (with) Redcliffe at the end of the season," he said.

"Three years ago we all knew that, when I made the decision."

Bennett also confirmed that when the moves happens, it won't be a daunting task.

"I've moved from a few clubs in my life (with) the same situation. It's not new to me," he said.

"I'm experienced at it, I know how to handle it.

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"The key thing is that everybody knows what's going on. That's the key to it, and just get on with life.

"I haven't signed the contract yet. So until I do that, I need to stay focussed here."

During their Magic Round win, the Dolphins jumped out to an early 12-0 lead as Jack Bostock and Mark Nicholls crossed for tries before the Tigers hit back before the break.

Wayne Bennett's men cemented their place in the NRL top-four with another scrappy win, while the Tigers remain in the bottom four after a seventh-straight defeat.