Glamour Club 'Firming' For DCE

Still on Manly and DCE - and I copped plenty of flak right here two weeks ago when I dared to suggest that the Roosters were interested in the veteran halfback. Punters declared I was crazy, that he would never leave Manly, that the Roosters wouldn't sign an ageing halfback, blah blah blah. Two weeks down the track and word in clubland is that the Roosters are firming every day as favourite's to sign Cherry-Evans, followed by the Dolphins and Titans. The situation changes by the hour, with DCE keen to put the matter to bed quickly so he can get his name off the back and front pages.

Enforcer finds new home after early Dragons exit

Francis Molo has been granted an immediate release from his Dragons contract and will link up with the Dolphins. According to The Sydney Morning Herald, the club made a decision at a board meeting on Tuesday, with the front-rower free to leave after a lengthy dispute. Molo had not attended St George Illawarra training for a number of weeks and has not featured in the side's first two games of the season. It has been reported that Molo will be forced to repay a six-figure sum to the Dragons. The 30-year-old had previously extended his deal with the Red V until the end of next season, but will now head to Redcliffe on a multi-year agreement. It's believed a rift between Molo and the club stemmed from a comment relating to alcohol, which the former State of Origin enforcer has abstained from in recent years. It's a major boost for the Dolphins, who are still without Tom Flegler due to injury and aren't expecting the front-rower back until later in the season. St George Illawarra last week signed David Klemmer until the end of 2025, while also releasing Fijian winger Mikaele Ravalawa to the Rabbitohs.

'Hard reset' needed for boom star to lift Dolphins

The Dolphins showed in their first two seasons that on their day, they are capable of matching even the best teams in the NRL. But the challenge for new coach Kristian Woolf and his troops is to find a way to make those days come more often in 2025. In both their previous campaigns under Wayne Bennett, the Dolphins were in the top eight at the halfway mark of the season only to fall away under the pressure of a long season. Woolf hasn't mucked around since taking over, getting rid of a host of dead wood and bringing in four players who will add depth and strength in Junior Tupou (Wests Tigers), Kulikefu Finefeuiaki (Cowboys), Daniel Saifiti (Knights) and Max Feagai (Dragons). In Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, the Dolphins have much more than one of the NRL's glamour players. 'The Hammer' is arguably the most dangerous player in the game with the football in hand in his own half, regularly scoring 70 and 80 metre tries with his electric pace. The outside backs are the Dolphins' strength - Herbie Farnworth is as good as any centre in the league while Jack Bostock, Jake Averillo and Jamayne Isaako are all noted tryscorers. Halves Kodi Nikorima and Isaiya Katoa can be a little hot/cold but if the forwards lay the foundation, they are capable of giving their outside men time and space. Hooker Jeremy Marshall-King is a classy No.9 out of dummy half and the pack are all hard workers capable of rattling the more fancied teams in the race.

2025 gains: Junior Tupou (Wests Tigers), Kulikefu Finefeuiaki (Cowboys), Daniel Saifiti (Knights), Max Feagai (Dragons).

2025 losses: Tevita Pangai Junior (Catalans), Edrick Lee (retired), Euan Aitken (Rabbitohs), Jarrod Wallace (retired), Jesse Bromwich (retired), Tesi Niu (Leigh Leopards), Valynce Te Whare (Japanese rugby), Jeremiah Simbiken (Castleford Tigers), Anthony Milford (unsigned), Robert Jennings (unsigned).

Another set of twins split up in eerie dual signing

Daniel Saifiti has officially put pen to paper on a three-year deal with the Dolphins - but he won't be the only twin making the move up north. The representative front-rower was recently granted an early release from his contract with the Knights, ending a lengthy relationship with the club. After being linked with the Dragons and Bulldogs, the 28-year-old has opted to move up north and join the Redcliffe-based franchise until at least the end of 2027. Saifiti will fill the void left by retiring prop Jesse Bromwich and chief executive Terry Reader believes the club "have done extremely well" to land the signing. "We are very eager to see what Daniel Saifiti is going to bring to our club," he said. "It is probably impossible to replace someone who has had the amazing career of Jesse Bromwich, but we know we have done extremely well in bringing in Daniel. "He is a representative player, he is tough, aggressive and a hard worker - all the things the Dolphins pride themselves on being. "We can't wait to see him in our colours next year and are excited about what he will add to our already formidable forward pack." After bursting onto the scene alongside his twin brother Mat, the 23-year-old was told by Dragons officials he was no longer required at the club beyond this year. "Max is just the kind of recruit we are looking for to add depth and youth to our squad," Reader said in a statement on Wednesday morning. "He has been a representative player through his junior career, and with 23 matches behind him now he has proved he is a true NRL player. "Importantly, this year he played the most NRL games of any year in his career. What is most exciting is that we know his best football is just ahead of him." They will will join Junior Tupou and Kulikefu Finefeuiaki as the club's recruits for 2025 under new head coach, Kristian Woolf.

Dolphins Chasing Gun Knight

Two weeks ago, much-improved utility forward Brodie Jones and the Knights beat the Dolphins to secure the final spot in the top eight. The Dolphins were clearly impressed - they are now chasing the 26-year-old for next season. Jones, who scored a crucial try in the sudden death clash, has just finished his fifth season with the Knights, playing 18 games, often making a strong impact off the bench. The Knights want to keep the strongly-built forward, but with new recruitment manager Peter O'Sullivan hunting big game, may not have the room to keep him in the salary cap.

Jahrome Hughes' $6m rejection of Dolphins comes to light after 'rumblings' of move with wife

Details have emerged about how Jahrome Hughes spurned interest from the Dolphins and Broncos to re-sign with the Melbourne Storm, including a monster $6 million offer from Wayne Bennett. Hughes has been the best player in the NRL this season and appears odds-on to win his first Dally M medal. The Kiwi halfback stepped up for the Storm in the absence of halves partner Cameron Munster in the middle of the season, and led Craig Bellamy's side to the minor premierships. But it could have been a very different story had he not rejected the Broncos and Dolphins to take less money at the Storm. According to the Courier Mail, Bennett offered Hughes a whopping $6 million to join the Dolphins, but he sacrificed around $2.4 million to stay in Melbourne. The Broncos had also shown interest in signing the Kiwi halfback, and Brisbane great Corey Parker revealed 'rumblings' earlier this year that he wanted to return to Queensland to be closer to he and his wife's family. Hughes played one game for the Gold Coast Titans in 2013, and one more for North Queensland in 2016. He was reportedly offered to the Wests Tigers and Dragons for $180,000 in 2016, before joining the Storm on just $150,000.

Dolphins confirm long-term deal for 'underrated' star

Jeremy Marshall-King has knocked back interest from the Rabbitohs and has re-committed to the Dolphins until at least the end of 2028. As first reported by 9News Sydney's Danny Weidler, the crafty No.9 has opted not to go to the open market in November, agreeing to a fresh three-year contract. Marshall-King has emerged as one of the best hookers in the competition in recent years, with his class and vision out of dummy-half a vital asset for the Dolphins. The 28-year-old, who is the younger brother of Tigers coach Benji Marshall, has also played two Tests for New Zealand and one game for the Maori All Stars. "I have really enjoyed my time so far at the Dolphins," he said. "I have appreciated the change since moving from Sydney and my family is enjoying life around the club. I am also excited by the future the Dolphins have and what we can do in the NRL over the next few years." After spending five seasons in the top grade with the Bulldogs, Marshall-King moved up to the Dolphins for the inaugural campaign and has become one of their main men.

Dolphins Star Channeling English Icon

Is Herbie Farnworth the best English centre to play in Australia since the legendary Ellery Hanley? Hanley starred for both Balmain and Wests in the late 1980s and he got the Tigers into the 1988 grand final before being KO'd by the Bulldogs' Terry Lamb off the ball. Fans of the two merged clubs are still in awe of his skills but Herbie is right up there. After starring for the Broncos in recent years, he has proved one of the buys of the year at the Dolphins. Against the Sharks on Thursday night, he was majestic, scoring a try and making 215 run metres. Without his contribution, the Sharks would almost certainly have won a game that went right down to the wire. It was a performance 'The Black Pearl', now aged 63 and living back in England, would have been proud of.

Bennett 'blunder' leaves major cloud over Dolphins

Have the Dolphins brain trust and master coach Wayne Bennett blundered by coming into 2024 with a Dad's Army pack? The Dolphins were massive over-achievers early in their maiden season last year before running out of gas badly in the run to the finals. And they started the new year disastrously, thumped by the Cowboys 43-18 on Sunday afternoon. Four members of the Dolphins pack are over 30 - Jesse Bromwich (34), Felise Kaufusi (31), Kenny Bromwich (32) and Mark Nicholls (34) as well as 18th man Jarrod Wallace (32). Despite some fine signings over the summer, the Dolphins were simply run off their feet by their younger Cowboys opponents in the Brisbane heat in a one-sided affair. With a long season ahead, the ageing Dolphins pack may find the going very tough in coming months… time will tell. The Cowboys - such a bitter disappointment last season - bounced right back to their 2022 form in decimating the Dolphins. And one of the main reasons for the turnaround may well be the return of classy back-rower Jeremiah Nanai. The lanky forward - a guy who has genuine X-factor to him - missed a lot of games last year and the Cowboys suffered. The 21-year-old Kiwi played just 13 games last year and gave fans a reminder of his class against the Dolphins, scoring one try and laying on another in the big win. His presence gives the Cowboys' pack a much more menacing look and they look set for plenty of wins in the coming months.

Dolphins gun to reject Kiwis even if Bennett is hired

Dolphins teen sensation Isaiya Katoa has declared that he will not waiver from Tonga on the international stage, even if super coach Wayne Bennett were to nab the New Zealand head coaching role. Katoa made his international debut for Tonga during the 2022 Rugby League World Cup before a breakout rookie season in the NRL. Born in Lower Hutt, New Zealand before relocating to Sydney with his family, who are of Tongan and Cook Islands descent, when he was nine years old — Katoa is eligible to represent Australia, NSW, New Zealand and Tonga. Bennett has shown a huge amount of faith in the 19-year-old after he was recruited out of the famed Panthers system in 2022. After signing the then 18-year-old on a three-year deal, Katoa was selected by Bennett in the Dolphins' inaugural match last season at the expense of former million-dollar-a-season star Anthony Milford.

Milford's on the move

Veteran Dolphins utility Anthony Milford is close to signing a deal to finish his career with Leigh Leopards in the Super League.A former Queensland State of Origin and Samoan Test representative, Milford is still only 29 years of age but had a disappointing season at the Dolphins.He was dropped in the pre-season due to an allegedly poor attitude and was only used by Bennett when the Dolphins got hit by injury.A tremendous talent on his day, Milford has been an enimga throughout his 11-year career with the Raiders, Broncos, Knights and Dolphins.The halfback/five-eighth/fullback still has the ability to carve up a defence and is likely to be a big hit in Super League.

Dolphins waiting for Mad Monday

Another club with work to do on their headspace over the summer is the Dolphins.Wayne Bennett's boys were the talk of the league early in their debut season, looking like finalists with their opening salvos.But injuries, suspensions and the wear and tear of their maiden year in the big league then hit the Dolphins - and hit them hard.The loss to the Cowboys on Friday night was their 10th defeat in their past 11 games and the boys from Redcliffe look like a team just waiting for Mad Monday next week.The Cowboys played some good footy to stay in the finals battle and now have to win next weekend and hope other results fall into place to qualify for September football.

Lockyer's theory behind icy Bennett interview

Darren Lockyer has given his take on that Wayne Bennett press conference — the two-and-a-half minutes of little more than frosty one-sentence answers after the Dolphins' loss to the Knights on Saturday.Lockyer applauded the lone journalist who peppered with questions the sternest figure in rugby league, and admitted that Bennett had a responsibility to be more generous with his responses given the NRL had taken the Dolphins-Knights clash to Perth in a bid to grow the game.But the legendary fullback and five-eighth, who played all of his footy under Bennett at the Broncos, also asked if the master coach felt disrespected by the journalists who did not attend the press conference, and suggested he may have been disgruntled by the lack of reporters in the room."We've all seen Wayne do this. When he gets in a mood he gets in a mood at a press conference," Lockyer said on Wide World of Sports' QLDER."I know the individual that sat there did a good job to just stay in the conversation with him, but equally, what was the reason for (the fact) there was only one journo in the room?"So, I mean, was there not enough respect paid to Wayne Bennett?"I'm not saying what he did was right, I think there was an error of judgement, but when Wayne's in a mood no one can tell him to change his mood."It's believed there was a smattering of reporters who were keen to attend the Bennett press conference but opted against it to catch the start of the second game at Perth Stadium, between the Rabbitohs and Sharks.The press conference was at its iciest after the reporter asked where the Dolphins were let down."You didn't watch the game?" Bennett fired."I watched the game," the journalist replied."Well you can write about it," the wily operator shot back."But just from your opinion?" added the reporter."I don't want to share it with you ... It's my opinion and I'm not really interested in sharing it."Having his say on the exchange on QLDER, Wally Lewis chuckled as he sympathised with the reporter."You can imagine how he would have felt, that lone journo. I mean, he must have thought that he was walking the plank, going out there, taking on the toughest character in rugby league to deal with," said Lewis, who played under Bennett at the Broncos between 1988 and 1990.

Dolphins big man changed the game

Jarrod Wallace came back to haunt his former club as the Dolphins scored a controversial 23-21 win over the Titans yesterday.A penalty goal for offside right in front of the posts decided the game in golden point, but it was Wallace's enthusiasm off the bench that really turned the tide.The big man made two line breaks, ran for 134 metres and scored a vital try.The crucial victory means the Dolphins - who keep finding ways to win - remain in the finals battle in their inaugural season after the contentious win.

Bennett adds to Tigers' woes in chase for star brothers

In another blow to the embattled Tigers, the Dolphins have emerged as the new favourites to sign brilliant young Manly brothers Latu and Samuela Fainu.The pair, currently at Manly, are regarded among the hottest young properties in rugby league.They were expected to follow highly-regarded recruitment manager Scott Fulton, who recently left the Sea Eagles for the Tigers.But in the wake of the Tigers' dismal showings in recent weeks, the pair are now leaning towards the Dolphins, according to a source close to the brothers.They have met with Wayne Bennett, and the Dolphins coach and rugby league guru made a big impression on the pair.Latu is a halfback and the Tigers believe he could be the long-term successor to Luke Brooks, who will move to Manly in 2024.He signed rugby league's all-time biggest contract by a teenager three years ago at the age of 16.Back-rower Samuela has already played a handful of top grade games for Manly in the back row this season and looks a likely prospect.The pair's older brother, Manase, was a classy hooker with the Sea Eagles before being jailed for stabbing a man in 2019.

Journeyman Looks To Leave Dolphins

The Dolphins are in danger of losing experienced centre Brenko Lee to English club Wigan next season.Lee has played some good football for the Dolphins in their inaugural season despite being hampered by knee injuries.A former Junior Kangaroo, Lee is still only 27 but is a veteran of 10 years in the big league with the Raiders, Bulldogs, Titans, Storm, Broncos and now Dolphins and his career has been dogged by injury.He has one more year to run on his Dolphins deal but the club is expected to let him go if he secures a long-term deal at Wigan.

Improved Flyers Big Milestone

There are few more improved players in the NRL this season than Dolphins flyer Jamayne Isaako.Isaako is a genuine excitement machine and celebrated his 100th game with two tries as the Dolphins outclassed the Dragons 26-12 on Thursday night.Last season Isaako could barely make the Titans' top side and played just 11 games for three tries.This season he has already bagged 12 tries in 13 games - his best haul in his seven years in the NRL - and we're still only halfway through the season.

Sprint sensation sighned by Wayne

The Dolphins continue to build for the long term, beating a host of clubs to sign a gun centre who has won national 100m and 200m sprint titles. Ethan Grimshaw, from Brisbane, is only 15 this year but had offers from the Broncos, Roosters and Knights as well as attending camps with the Bulldogs and Tigers. The youngster scored 30 tries in 12 games in the Brisbane junior competition last year for Norths Devils. Rated the fastest runner for his age in the country, Grimshaw also played rugby union last year but rah-rah officials booted him out when they realised his future was going to be in league. He's signed for three years with the Dolphins and the great Wayne Bennett believes he will be something special.

Dolphins create history in stunning debut

The Dolphins' 28-18 win over the Roosters is as stunning a scoreline as I have seen in the past 20 years.On paper, the game seemed a mismatch with the Roosters team full of Test and Origin players against a line-up many regarded as a 'spare parts' side put together by Wayne Bennett.But games aren't played on paper and the Dolphins out-enthused and out-thought a rattled Roosters team.Veteran prop Mark Nicholls - who many thought was past his prime - led the way with 165 metres and a vital try as he took the game to the respected Roosters pack.Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow was brilliant at fullback, new five-eighth Isaiya Katoa justified his selection ahead of Anthony Milford and halfback Sean O'Sullivan steered the new chums around the park with the class of a veteran.It was a vintage Wayne Bennett ambush and the veteran coach could ALMOST be seen cracking a smile after the memorable win.

Dolphins outwrestle rivals for 'next Joseph Suaalii'

The Dolphins have finally won a battle against rugby league's big boys - over the race to sign the best 14-year-old in the country.Half the clubs in the NRL, including the Broncos, Titans, Rabbitohs and Tigers, were desperate to sign Kingston Seve - a youngster regarded by good judges as the next Joseph Suaalii.Souths and the Tigers even flew the youngster to Sydney from his Gold Coast home to show him around their facilities.But in the end, the teenager and his parents decided his future lay with Wayne Bennett and the NRL's new chums."He's an amazing talent and at 14 is already as big as Latrell Mitchell," Seve's manager Mario Tartak told Wide World of Sports."I've never had a kid on my books who was in so much demand."In Queensland, they regard him as the best young talent in the state, and Wayne and (Dolphins recruitment manager) Peter O'Sullivan were super keen to sign him, and that clinched it."Seve has been awarded a full scholarship to Southport School on the Gold Coast - to play rugby union.But his future lies in league and, once he completes his schooling, he will join the Dolphins in the hope of following in Roosters star's Suaalii's footsteps.