The Dolphins 2025 season review
Overview
In their third year in the NRL, it was another season of progress for the Dolphins as they recorded their highest finish so far. A 9th-placed spot only tells part of the story though, as the Redcliffe side also scored the most points of any team, and by some margin.
In fact, their 721 points scored was the ninth-highest of all time, and it was the first time in NRL history that the team with the best attack in the competition finished outside the top eight.
So, with an attack that good it tells you where the problems were this year. No side who finished in the top eight conceded anywhere near as many points as the Dolphins, and that – plus four straight losses to start the season – were their biggest downfalls.
Highs
With an attack as strong as theirs, it’s not hard to find high points for the Dolphins. They scored 50+ on four occasions, including a 62-24 thrashing of Minor Premiers Canberra in Round 27. They also picked up their record win in Round 14 against the Dragons, then broke it the following week against the Cowboys.
They beat five of the top eight too, as they proved time and time again that they’re just about ready for a Finals spot, while Jamayne Isaako finished as the competition’s top points scorer for a second time in three years.
Lows
Four straight losses to start the year meant the Dolphins were on the backfoot from the word go.
There was a run of three straight losses between Rounds 23 and 25 as well, which left them with a mountain to climb that they ultimately couldn’t get over. The first of those losses was completely out of the blue too – a 64-12 home defeat to the Roosters – which was a record loss for the club.
Like most clubs, they had their injury problems too. The most notable was former Broncos forward Tom Flegler, who failed to make an appearance all year.
2025 RLB Player of the Year – Isaiya Katoa
A few players could stake a claim for this award, but I’m going with Katoa, who is now firmly established among the game’s leading halfbacks. The Tonga international played every game in 2025, recording 23 try assists in the process.
Reasons to be positive in 2026
Where to start? The Dolphins have been on an upward trajectory ever since they joined the competition in 2023, and the next step is Finals footy. Having the best attack in the NRL helps, and if they can just shore up their defence next year, they should crack the top eight in 2026.
My 2025 prediction – 14th
Final 2025 position – 9th (+5)
I was feeling confident of this prediction after the first four rounds, but the Dolphins left me with egg on my face on this one. The only thing I got right back in February was that I couldn’t see them making the Finals, but they were only two points off the Roosters, so I can’t claim that as a major win.
