Queensland legend Wally Lewis has weighed in on the Cowboys loss of Kulikefu Finefeuiaki after the powerhouse backrower signed with the Dolphins.
Finefeuiaki inked a three-year deal with the Cowboys' Queensland rivals last week, tying him to the club until the 2027 season.
"I'm very surprised," Lewis said in response to Finefeuiaki's signing on Wide World of Sports' QLDER.
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"I thought they were there just to let the other offers come in and then come in with the one that would retain his services but that's not going to be.
"So I think it is a very difficult one. I think there will be some very disappointed players and fans.
"That's going to be a savage loss."
The 20-year-old's singing looks to be the beginning of the Dolphins regeneration of their experienced lineup.
The Dolphins currently have six players over the age of 30, including forwards Jesse Bromwich, Kenny Bromwich, Felise Kaufusi, and Mark Nicholls.
The Cowboys recently upgraded the contracts of four of their young players, with the club left to choose to prioritise either Finefeuiaki or 23-year-old second-rower Heilum Luki, with Luki the player who was re-signed.
Maroons great Darren Lockyer said Luki's three-year deal was at the expense of Finefeuiaki, noting he believes the club must be heavily restricted by their salary cap.
"It says to me that there must be some [salary] cap pressures when you have to let go of someone of that calibre," Lockyer said.
"You can't pay three backrowers good money… It's just not feasible.
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"[Finefeuiaki] is a good promising player and he is a big edge back-rower," Lockyer said.
"I think it was a coup for the Dolphins to get him but for the Cowboys they must've been comfortable that they had him covered or he was the one that got away.
"Maybe they didn't have enough cash in the salary cap to keep him, I don't know.
"They are losing talent there, the Cowboys, but obviously for the Dolphins it's a real positive.
"For the Cowboys, I hope they don't lose too many more."
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