The Dolphins are closer than ever to securing their first-ever finals appearance, yet several unresolved roster and structural issues still stand between them and a long-awaited breakthrough. Despite boasting the most potent attack in the NRL last season, defensive frailties — particularly on the edges — and a lack of depth threaten to derail their ambitions once again.
Entering 2026, the expansion club sits at a critical crossroads. The foundations of a genuine contender are visible, but whether they can convert promise into premiership relevance will depend on how decisively they address their weaknesses over the next 12 months.
A Record-Breaking Attack Undone by Defence
Statistically, the Dolphins were unrivalled in attack during the 2025 NRL season. Their staggering 721 points was the most scored by any club, finishing 41 clear of eventual premiers Brisbane Broncos. On paper, that kind of firepower should guarantee finals football.
Yet rugby league remains a game of balance, and the Dolphins simply could not match their attacking brilliance with defensive consistency. Conceding 596 points — the seventh-worst defensive record in the competition — ultimately proved their undoing.
They finished ninth with 12 wins from 24 matches, narrowly missing the finals by just two competition points and a slim for-and-against margin behind the Sydney Roosters. A handful of late-season collapses, often following impressive victories, highlighted the volatility that plagued their campaign.
Kristian Woolf’s First Season: Promise and Frustration
The 2025 season marked the beginning of a new era under coach Kristian Woolf following Wayne Bennett’s return to the Rabbitohs. Early signs were concerning as the Dolphins dropped their first four matches, prompting fears of a post-Bennett hangover.
Instead, Woolf oversaw a dramatic attacking turnaround, unlocking the full potential of his spine and backline. The Dolphins became one of the most entertaining teams in the competition, capable of overwhelming opponents in high-scoring contests.
However, the lack of a reliable defensive system — especially when injuries hit — exposed the squad’s limitations. Woolf now faces his biggest challenge yet: transforming a free-flowing attacking side into a disciplined finals-calibre outfit.
Injury Crisis Tested Depth — and Found It Wanting
Few teams endured a tougher injury run than the Dolphins in 2025. At one stage, most of their starting forward pack was unavailable, including captain Tom Gilbert, Thomas Flegler, Daniel Saifiti, Francis Molo, Max Plath, and Jeremy Marshall-King.
While the club deserves credit for remaining competitive despite the carnage, the depth simply wasn’t sufficient to maintain consistency across a 27-round season.
The silver lining was the emergence of younger players such as Oryn Keeley, who seized his opportunity with a breakout campaign. Unfortunately for Dolphins fans, Keeley is already set to depart for the Storm at the end of 2026, underlining the urgency of roster retention.
The Edge Defence Problem That Won’t Go Away
Since entering the NRL, the Dolphins’ Achilles heel has been defence on the edges — and 2025 was no exception.
The signing of Herbie Farnworth addressed part of the problem. The former Bronco was outstanding in the centres, offering elite defensive reads and leadership. However, his excellence has not consistently rubbed off on those around him.
The opposite centre position remains unresolved. Jake Averillo has struggled to lock it down, while Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow has been shifted there at times with success, particularly at representative level. But moving Tabuai-Fidow away from fullback weakens one of the Dolphins’ biggest weapons.
Is Selwyn Cobbo the Missing Piece?
New recruit Selwyn Cobbo looms as a potential solution. A powerful athlete with speed, size, and ball-playing ability, Cobbo could form a formidable centre pairing alongside Farnworth.
The dilemma? Cobbo’s best NRL football has traditionally come on the wing, and his deal with the Dolphins is only for one season. With strong interest expected from the Broncos, Perth Bears, and PNG Chiefs, the Dolphins risk rebuilding the same position again in 12 months.
Even so, Kristian Woolf may have no choice but to prioritise the present. Finals football in 2026 could be the catalyst for long-term stability — and Cobbo may be the key to getting there.
The Fullback Debate: Where Does The Hammer Play?
Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow is one of the most damaging players in the NRL. His pace, footwork, and support play make him lethal at fullback, particularly alongside halfback Isaiya Katoa.
Yet his versatility creates a conundrum. The Dolphins need help in the centres, and Tabuai-Fidow is more than capable defensively in that role.
Alternative options exist — Trai Fuller, Jake Averillo, and even Cobbo — but none possess the game-breaking ability Tabuai-Fidow brings at the back. Weakening fullback to strengthen centre risks robbing the Dolphins of their greatest attacking threat.
Halves Stability: Katoa Is the Cornerstone
If there is one certainty in the Dolphins’ future, it is Isaiya Katoa.
Still just 21, Katoa has already established himself among the elite halfbacks in the game. His 2025 season — featuring 23 try assists and 24 tries — placed him ahead of several Origin and Test stars.
Kodi Nikorima remains his current partner, enjoying one of the best seasons of his career. However, age and contract status suggest his long-term future is uncertain.
The club is reportedly set to welcome George Williams in 2027, but at 32, he too is a short-term solution. Kurt Donoghoe may eventually be the answer, though patience will be required.
The Dolphins must get this decision right. If they fail to build a premiership-calibre spine around Katoa, rival clubs will circle.
Forward Pack: Powerful but Vulnerable
On paper, the Dolphins’ forward rotation can match anyone when healthy. The combination of Gilbert, Flegler, Saifiti, Kaufusi, Finefeuiaki, Molo, and new recruit Morgan Knowles provides size, aggression, and experience.
But paper strength means little without durability.
The retirements of Kenny Bromwich and Mark Nicholls, along with multiple departures, have thinned the engine room. Knowles arrives with an impressive Super League resume but remains untested in the NRL.
One or two strategic signings could transform the pack from competitive to elite.
Recruitment Targets That Could Change Everything
To truly contend, the Dolphins must add both steel and reliability.
Names such as Lindsay Smith, Scott Sorensen, Keaon Koloamatangi, Siua Wong, Jesse Colquhoun, and Morgan Smithies would all address defensive resilience and leadership.
In the centres, a proven defender like Jesse Ramien or Will Penisini could finally solve the long-standing edge issue and allow Tabuai-Fidow to remain at fullback.
Final Verdict: Close, But Not Complete
The Dolphins are no longer an experiment — they are a genuine NRL force edging toward relevance.
They have elite attacking talent, a generational halfback, and a coach capable of elevating systems. What they lack is balance, depth, and defensive certainty.
If Kristian Woolf can tighten the screws defensively and the club nails one or two key signings, the Dolphins will not just make the finals — they could shake the competition.
But if the same issues persist, 2026 risks becoming another season of what might have been.
