The Dolphins 2026 season preview
2025 recap
The Dolphins finished agonisngly close to Finals footy in 2025, but fell just short in the end.
Still, their 9th-placed finish was their highest since entering the NRL in 2023, and they scored the most points of any side in the competition by some distance, so it was a year of progress for the Queenslanders.
2025 position: 9th
Key signings
Brad Schneider (Penrith Panthers), Morgan Knowles (St Helens), Selwyn Cobbo (Brisbane Broncos)
Key departures
Josh Kerr (St George Illawarra Dragons), Harrison Graham (Newcastle Knights), Aublix Tawha (Brisbane Broncis), James Walsh (North Queensland Cowboys), Max Feagai (Gold Coast Titans), Sean O’Sullivan (Canterbury Bankstown-Bulldogs), Mark Nicholls (Retired), Kenny Bromwich (Retired)
Players to watch
Selwyn Cobbo has made the move from Brisbane after spending a chunk of 2025 being frozen out by the Broncos. However, with 49 tries in 83 games, plus six appearances for Queensland and one for Australia, he’s a great pickup for the Dolphins. And, he’s still only 23.
Another new arrival is England international Morgan Knowles. The loose forward has done the lot in Super League, with four Premierships, a Challenge Cup and a World Club Challenge under his belt. He’s played over 200 times for St Helens, and at 29, he’ll be expected to become a leader pretty quickly in his first move Down Under.
Young gun
Tyreece Tait was one of the Roosters’ most promising youngsters before heading north last year for what are believed to be family reasons. The 20-year-old winger has yet to play in the NRL and he’ll likely start the year in QLD Cup, but a first grade debut’s a distinct possibility in 2026.
Our prediction – 7th
I think this could be the year the Dolphins crack the top eight for the first time. They’ve been steadily progressing over the past three years and come agonisingly close in 2025. Their attack takes care of itself, and some defensive solidity to go with it will see them soar into the Finals.
