‘I want to stay’: Bostock takes Dolphins leap of faith

Dolphins centre Jack Bostock has emerged as a representative star inside four seasons at the club which is why he wants to re-sign and continue on a steep upward trajectory.

The 23-year-old signed a development deal initially at the Dolphins in 2023 after shining as an Illawarra Steelers SG Ball and NSW under 19s gun.

This year he made his State of Origin debut for NSW on the wing in the series decider win in Brisbane.

Bostock, a free agent from November 1, will play the preliminary final against Sydney Roosters on Friday night as one of the game’s most improved players, all achieved at the Dolphins under foundation coach Wayne Bennett and current mentor Kristian Woolf.

The Dolphins have re-signed utility Brad Schneider, second-rower Kulikefu Finefeuiaki and wingers Tevita Naufahu and Selwyn Cobbo in the past week.

AAP understands talks with Bostock are ongoing and have progressed to the pointy end.

Bostock was recruited on the development list after a meeting with Wayne Bennett, former recruitment chief Peter O’Sullivan and his father Josh Bostock, who played at the Balmain Tigers on the wing.

Bostock was elevated to the top 30 the week of the round one clash with the Sydney Roosters in 2023. He didn’t play in that match, but has since become a lethal weapon and one of the first picked.

“I would like to stay here for sure,” Bostock told AAP.

“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.

“It would mean a lot to me and everyone else in the locker room here to win [a premiership].

“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.”

Bostock made his move to the Dolphins in 2023 without knowledge of the squad he was joining but confident in the individuals signing him.

“When I signed at the Dolphins there wasn’t even a full team of 13 to field a side,” he 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’s return to action this year after last season’s ACL rupture has been electrifying. He had a positional switch from wing to centre on his return and has been in majestic form.

“The year I’ve had is a pretty good one,” he said.

“I did the whole pre-season the year before at centre as well but I just didn’t get to play there because we had a couple of changes in the team so I stayed on the wing.

“I came back and had a couple of training sessions at centre, played a Queensland Cup game at centre and slotted into the NRL side there against Melbourne. That is where it all kicked off in a winning side.

“I always believed I could do it. I had a couple of goals I set for this season and Origin was one of them.”