Dolphins NRL 2025 season preview
2024 recap
In just their second year in the NRL, the Dolphins came close to a finals spot again, only to be denied right at the end. A win over the Knights in round 27 would have been enough thanks to their superior points difference, but a 14-6 loss meant they just missed out on that elusive top eight spot.
2024 position: 10th
Key signings
Max Feagai (St George Illawarra Dragons), Kulikefu Finefeuiaki (North Queensland Cowboys), Daniel Saifiti (Newcastle Knights), Junior Tupou (Wests Tigers)
Key departures
Euan Aitken (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Jesse Bromwich (Retired), Lachlan Hubner (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Edrick Lee (Retired), Anthony Milford (Souths Logan Magpies), Tesi Niu (Leigh Leopards), Tevita Pangai Junior (Catalans Dragons), Valynce Te Whare (rugby union)
Players to watch
2024 was a breakout year for young winger Jack Bostock, who crossed for 14 tries in 23 games. The key now for the 21 year-old is to follow up on last year’s impressive campaign with another one, although opposition defences will have a bigger target on his back in 2025.
Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow continues to go from strength to strength, and he was magnificent in 2024. 15 tries in 16 games, plus a hat-trick in the first Origin of the series earned him a Kangaroos call-up at the end of the year, and he added three more tries in three games as Australia won the Pacific Championship. It’s hard to believe ‘the Hammer’ is still only 23, but he’s still got a long career ahead of him, and he heads into 2025 in the form of his life.
Young gun
Aublix Tawha is on the fringes of the first grade side after a string of standout performances in Queensland Cup. The young centre was previously part of the Canberra Raiders youth system, and a Dolphins debut could be on the cards in 2025 if he continues to impress.
Our prediction – 14th
The Dolphins have had a great couple of years so far in the NRL, but I think they’ll drop off a little in 2025. The loss of legendary coach Wayne Bennett can’t be underestimated, and although Kristian Woolf has coached in Super League and at international level to great effect, the NRL is a different proposition. They’ll cause a lot of teams’ problems this year, but I can’t see the Dolphins making the finals.
