2026 Preview - Dolphins

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Potential for finals but can they stay fit?

After back-to-back seasons of agonising near misses, Kristian Woolf is hoping to avoid second year syndrome with his Dolphins side as they continue their search for their maiden finals appearance.

In their relatively short NRL history to this point, the newest expansion club has been excellent on the attacking phase. Exciting attacking players such as Herbie Farnworth, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Isaiya Katoa produced the number one scoring team in the competition last year. However, a critical run of injuries in their forward pack was eventually going to take it's toll. As has sadly happened so often for the Dolphins in their time in the premiership, they were run down in the latter stages of the season, again finishing just outside the top eight.

From an outside look, you would think it's a disappointing collapse, and while the players would feel the pain of that, think of this. You put Daniel Saifiti, Tom Flegler, Tom Gilbert and Max Plath back into any forward pack, their defensive resolve would improve out of sight. That is one area that will have to improve over the summer with notable collapses against the Roosters (64 points), Canberra and the Broncos.

Looking ahead to 2026 and there is a weight of expectation on the club. The training wheels are seemingly off ahead of new expansion teams coming in and by the recruits they have made, they seem to know it is now or never if they want to play finals this season.

Why will they win it all?

Their attack is world class, they were putting 30,40,50 point scores on at will last season and holding defences to ransom. The ability of guys like Farnworth and Katoa along with the ever reliable Jamayne Isaako to put points on in a hurry is incredible. You add in new recruit Selwyn Cobbo to their already crowded outside back room and the points could flow again in 2026.

Up front they are locked and loaded for the first time in a while with Kristian Woolf being able to pick his best available pack for the first time in his coaching tenure. While losing Kerr, Nicholls and Bromwich. They are able to have Saifiti, Gilbert, Flegler and Plath on the field at the same time and counter opposition packs. Meanwhile, the signing of St Helens lock Morgan Knowles is a sound addition who is a sound ball runner and distributor while being strong on contact in defence.

...and why they won't

Durability. At some point in each of the last three seasons, the Dolphins have struggled with an injury crisis whacking some part of their lineup causing indirect impacts across the entire 17. The last two seasons it was the forward pack, their first year was their outside backs and spine that copped a horrible run with injuries. This year it feels like they have a well balanced roster to contend with any problem that comes their way with a surplus of back and spine players while the forwards seeing a slight revamp.

Also, the outside back carosel that could open for business. While their Round 1 backline is set thanks to Jack Bostock's impending return from his ACL injury, upon his return there could be some high-profile casualties spending time on the expanded bench or in the QLD Cup.

2026 fixtures

Players to Watch

Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow will always be a focal point of the Dolphins in any match he plays. He faces a potential role change this season with a centre move highly touted to accommodate Trai Fuller's breakout. No matter where Hammer plays, he will cause carnage whether through the middle or out-wide on the edge.

The Dolphins seemed to complete their self-destruction when tackle buster Herbie Farnworth broke down, his tackle busting ability was sorely missed and gave the Dolphins little room in attack to allow Isaiya Katoa to thrive as he did in the previous 20 rounds of the competition. They have a terrific pack of forwards who just need to stay healthy and work together. If that happens, then they are a genuine finals threat.

Rookies

It is always an exciting watch for rookies. While it's technically cheating we're going to include Morgan Knowles. The English international has played 246 games for St Helens and is coming off his highest try-scoring season with the Saints (eight last year).

Also to keep an eye on early in the year is John Fineanganofo. With JMK going down with injury, a 14 spot has opened up on the bench and there is a chance for the utility to grab it with both hands early in the season. Also in the top 30 are rookies Brian Pouniu and Elijah Rasmussen who will be looking to break into the forward stocks should another bad injury run strike.

Player movement

GAINS: Brad Schneider (Penrith), Morgan Knowles (St Helens), Selwyn Cobbo (Brisbane)

COACH: Kristian Woolf
CAPTAIN: Tom Gilbert

2026 Contracted players: Brad Schneider, Brian Pouniu, Connelly Lemuelu, Daniel Saifiti, Elijah Rasmussen, Felise Kaufusi, Francis Molo, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Herbie Farnworth, Isaiya Katoa, Jack Bostock, Jake Averillo, Jamayne Isaako, Jeremy Marshall-King, Kodi Nikorima, Kulikefu Finefeuiaki, Kurt Donoghoe, LJ Nonu, Max Plath, Morgan Knowles, Oryn Keeley, Ray Stone, Sebastian Su'a, Selwyn Cobbo, Tevita Naufahu, Thomas Flegler, Tom Gilbert, Trai Fuller

LOSSES from 2025: Josh Kerr (St Geo Illa), Harrison Graham (Newcastle), Aublix Tawha (Brisbane), James Walsh (North Qld), Max Feagai (Gold Coast), Sean O'Sullivan (Canterbury), Mark Nicholls, Kenny Bromwich (retired)

Best 19

1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
2. Jamayne Isaako
3. Herbie Farnworth
4. Selwyn Cobbo
5. Jack Bostock
6. Kodi Nikorima
7. Isaiya Katoa
8. Daniel Saifiti
9. Jeremy Marshall-King
10. Tom Gilbert
11. Felise Kaufusi
12. Connelly Lemuelu
13. Max Plath

14. Kurt Donoghoe
15. Morgan Knowles
16. Tom Flegler
17. Francis Molo
18. Jake Averillo
19. Trai Fuller