I continue NRL season previews with Redcliffe Dolphins fans previewing the seasons. Thanks to 257 Matt (257), Liverbird and Phine Up (LWPU) for their analysis.
Near miss in 2024: The Dolphins came agonisingly close to securing a finals spot last season, falling just one game short. What adjustments do you think the team needs to make this year to guarantee a top-eight finish?
LWPU: I think a few adjustments need to be made, and a few things need to go our way. Firstly, Isaiya Katoa needs to make this his team in the halves, hard for a young half to do, however I think he has the ability to go to the next level.
He need to play like an old half in a young body. We were unlucky with injuries last year, Dolphins, more than any other team, need luck with injuries this year, because missing a few key players could spell doom for us. In terms of play style we just need to grow on what Bennett put in place, effort in defence, patience in attack and letting our speed capitalise at the right moments.
257: They need to become fitter, work harder in defence and play a more up-tempo game with better discipline in attack and defence.
Coaching transition: Kristian Woolf steps into the head coaching role, replacing the legendary Wayne Bennett. Despite Woolf’s lack of NRL head coaching experience, he has achieved great success with St Helens and played a key role in Tonga’s rise as an international powerhouse. Do you expect the Dolphins to play a noticeably different style under Woolf compared to Bennett?
LWPU: No, I think Woolf had a large input in this area whilst Bennett was there. I dont think much will change at all.
257: Woolf will make very subtle changes to the style of play, bringing through the youngsters and some selections he will take a chance on. I expect Woolf to usher in a changing of the guard during the season. Too many players become comfortable last year Woolf will shake that up.
Halves combination: Young halfback Isaiya Katoa is shaping up to be a future star. Who do you think is the most likely candidate to partner him in the halves?
LWPU: Hard question, I reckon it depends on how Jake Averillo starts the year. I see it between him and Kodi Nikorima. Although Kodi is an asset at 14, so you could see him play that role under Woolf. I couldn’t say which will start as Woolf seems to be keeping that one close to his chest.
Who will partner Katoa in the playmaking duties? (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
257: Katoa is a lock for one position, he will benefit from Woolf being his coach. Woolf backed him after his poor game against Australia and next week Katoa iced it. Averillo looks to be favourite but it’s really a four-way battle for the No.6 jumper between Averillo, Nikorima, O’Sullivan and Donoghue.
Forward pack Strength: Dolphins nearly made the finals last year despite missing two Origin-calibre forwards, Tom Gilbert and Thomas Flegler. Will we see both in full force this season, and what impact will their return have on the squad?
LWPU: Gilbert looks fit and ready to go, Flegler will be back mid-year. Despite the naysayers around Flegler’s injury, I have it on good authority, everything is well. We have added more depth in this area, which will see Kaufusi move to a middle role. Look to our pack being awesome and our biggest strength this year.
257: Gilbert will be available and Flegler’s management very confident he will be back a lot sooner than the doomsayers in the media are saying.
Herbie Farnworth’s role: Farnworth is an electric attacking weapon, as demonstrated in his performances for England, particularly against Samoa. Do you think the Dolphins will involve him more in attack rather than keeping him locked on one edge?
LWPU: He is already our go to centre, he was so good last year, I could see how he could possibly do more. He seems to have become a leader in our dressing room, look for him to have more influence in that regard leadership wise both on and off the field.
257: Not much will change with Herbie’s role. He might play a bit of fullback during the Origin series.
Fullback dilemma: With Trai Fuller in contention for the fullback role, there’s speculation that Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow could move to the centres—where he plays for both Queensland and Australia. Would this be the best move for the team, or is the Hammer more effective at the back?
LWPU: Hammer will be fullback with Fuller injured. Averillo is an option if Hammer is injured along with Kurt Donoghoe.
257: Fuller would have been a massive chance to be fullback in Round 1 if he was available – hopefully he will be back in time for the Origin series. A fine player who has got to NRL the hardest and most patient way possible. He’s from an even better family.
Breakout players and rising Stars: Which player is poised for a breakout season in 2025? Are there any rookies on the radar who could make an immediate impact?
LWPU: Look for Oryn Keeley to get more minutes this year, and with that opportunity, take the next step to becoming a more regular player. He is a young second rower picked up from the Knights.
257: I’m in the minority on this page for saying this as most in here don’t rate them, but once both Oryn Keeley and Kurt Donoghue get their chance in the top 17 either through form or injury neither will lose their spot like Jack Bostock and Max Plath last year.
Squad changes: Who is the best addition to the squad this season? On the flip side, which departure will be the biggest loss for the Dolphins?
LWPU: Finefeuiaki will be our biggest pick up in the forwards, as we needed to solidify our pack with a few players getting older and some retiring or injured.
I don’t see any players we lost being a big loss. Bromwich, who was our leader, however I felt at times last year, age was catching up and he gave it away at a good time.
257: Dolphins have made four signings and three of them will have significant impact. Daniel Saifiti and Kulikefu Finefeuiaki replace forwards older than them as part of the changing of the guard and Junior Tupou will add crucial To’o/Kiraz/Lomax style metres getting out of trouble, something the Dolphins lack at times, hence the move away from centre for Averillo. Does Gilbert count as an addition?
(Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
Biggest loss for the Dolphins comes internally and that’s the injury to Trai Fuller who was brilliant in all his games last year.
Weaknesses and improvements: What is the team’s biggest weakness heading into the season? Do you see it improving over the course of the year?
LWPU: Our five-eighth position is our biggest weakness, we need someone to step up and own that spot, or we could see big moves in the off-season to get that sorted. Its Kodi’s or Averillo’s to own at the moment.
257: Improvement is the team will be on younger legs than last year and I expect Woolf to usher in a changing of the guard since a few players have become complacent. Project players Isaiya Katoa, Max Plath and Jack Bostock are players who will only get better and watch for Oryn Keeley and Kurt Donoghue to make a positive difference this year.
Weakness is being a new side the pathways systems haven’t fully taken shape with NRL ready players just yet and Dolphins have utilised two spots in their top 30 and four spots in the development list for players who are still 12-18 months away from being ready for NRL.
The injuries to Tom Flegler and Trai Fuller tests out the depth due having six project players in the squad, taking a punt on a Queensland Cup player on a supplementary deal and the club is carrying another two project players for another 12 months that didn’t come to fruition.
The positive side is that three already have and two are ready to be so five out of seven on the roster is good.
Squad depth: How confident are you in the team’s depth? Do you believe the Dolphins have the squad to cover for potential injuries to key players?
LWPU: Yes, I am confident in our depth, it is much better than last year’s, however as a young club, expecting it to be perfect I’d suggest is slightly unrealistic.
257: As outlined in the weaknesses depth is an issue with a changing of the guard, six project players and some players that didn’t come off along with two currently injured it does stretch the depth for this year. This will begin sorting itself out once the pathways and junior systems bring through the NRL ready players.
Best 17: In your opinion, what is the strongest possible 17-man lineup for the Dolphins this season?
Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
Jamayne Isaako
Jake Averillo
Herbie Farnworth
Jack Bostock
Kodi Nikorima
Isaiya Katoa
Daniel Saifiti
Jeremy Marshall-King
Tom Flegler
Kulikefu Finefeuiaki
Tom Gilbert
Max Plath
Ray Stone
Felise Kaufusi
Oryn Keeley
Kenny Bromwich
However, with our depth, that bench could go many ways.
Expectations for 2025: What would be considered a pass mark for the Dolphins this year? Conversely, what would be seen as a failure? Lastly, what’s your official prediction for the team in 2025?
LWPU: A pass would be to build on last year, and go a few spots better. I’d suggest, that as a fan, as long as we are heading in the right direction as a young club, everything will be going right. I think a failure would be to fall below.
I don’t see the transition from Woolf to Bennett having an impact. Bennett came here to build and create a foundation, all his other roles his remit was to win, and when he left those clubs, he took the good players with him. In our case, we haven’t been plundered, so I see no Bennett curse this time around.
257: Last year 11-13 season. If the club has a 12-12 season it’s a pass mark and a bigger pass mark will be Michael Waqa, James Walsh, Ryan Jackson, Elijah Rasmussen, Lewis Symonds, Josh Allen, Tevita Naufahu and LJ Nonu all making significant progressions this year whether they play NRL or not they need to be NRL ready.
