How one star 'lost his way' amid Dolphins collapse

For the second straight season, the demanding NRL schedule just proved too much for the NRL's new chums. The Dolphins looked like finals contenders for the first half of the season - just as they did in their inaugural year in 2023 - before crashing and burning. Injuries hit them hard in the run home and they won just four of their last 14 games. Despite the collapse, they were in the hunt until the last game of the regular season, going down to the Knights away 14-6 in a brave finale. Lack of depth hurt the club but considering they were only in their second season, that is to be expected and they can still hold their heads up high. They played a bright, breezy brand of football, throwing the ball around fearlessly, much to the delight of their fans. The freakish Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow again showed himself to be one of the league's real crowd pleasers, zooming over for 15 tries in 16 games - many of them length of the field efforts. Emerging winger Jack Bostock (14), flying winger Jamayne Isaako (12), the versatile Jake Averillo (11) and new boy Herbie Farnworth (8) were also regulars on the tryscoring sheet in an indication of the free-flowing style that proved the Dolphins' strength. Pint-sized fullback Trai Fuller was among the finds of the season and his fearless running quickly made him a fan favourite. Utility back Kodi Nikorima enjoyed one of his best seasons and young half Isaiya Katoa had a great start to the year but lost confidence as the losses piled up. In the forwards, the Bromwich brothers gave great service and Jesse, who is retiring, will be missed. Injuries cruelled the Phins up front with marquee signing Thomas Flegler playing just four games and busy prop Jarrod Wallace two. Max Plath was one of the league's most improved players in a breakout season and veteran Mark Nicholls was reliable and strong.

Dolphins: 2023 finish: 13th | 2024 finish: 10th

2025 gains: Junior Tupou (Wests Tigers), Kulikefu Finefeuiaki (Cowboys)

2025 losses: Tevita Pangai Junior (Catalans), Euan Aitken (Rabbitohs), Jesse Bromwich (retired), Lachlan Hubner (Rabbitohs).

'Ghosts' haunting Bennett swansong at Dolphins

Are the ghosts of 2023 coming back to haunt the Dolphins? Wayne Bennett's team look certain finalists a month ago but have lost three of their last four games and are now teetering on the brink. In their inaugural season, the Dolphins began sensationally before crashing and burning, finishing well out of finals reckoning. In a must-win game against the Titans on Sunday, the Phins started strongly and looked good things at 14-2 early. But the Titans, helped by a Des Hasler half time blast, scored 19 unanswered points to finish worthy winners. It doesn't get any easier for the Phins, with clashes against the Roosters, Warriors, Bulldogs and Storm in the next month.

Son of a Gun Joins The Dolphins

The Dolphins have signed the son of former Queensland State of Origin hooker PJ Marsh. Braelan Marsh is in his final year of school at well-known Maroons nursery St Brendan's at Yeppoon and will link up with the Dolphins in Redcliffe as soon as he completes his studies in a few months. A hooker like his old man, the 17-year- old will start out in the Mal Meninga Cup and work his way through the grades. "I'm super proud of him - he has worked so hard to get this opportunity and he has the talent to make a go of it," PJ told Wide World of Sports. PJ had a fine career with the Eels, Warriors and Broncos in the 2000s, as well as playing four games for the Maroons.

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.

Pocket Rocket Up Waynes Sleeve

Is Jeremy Marshall-King the most underrated player in the NRL? The younger brother of Benji Marshall has been an outstanding player for the Dolphins over the past two seasons yet rarely gets the plaudits. He gave one of the best performances by a hooker all season in the 44-16 humiliation of the Eels in Darwin, carving up the defence throughout the second half. Unlike many modern- day hookers, Marshall-King is a genuine dummy-half, a player who knows when to run and when to pass and his teammates are the beneficiaries of his good work. Despite missing four of their best players, the Dolphins produced a stunning performance to totally outclass and out-enthuse the Eels.

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.

Star's career on the line as Bennett verdict looms

Hot favourites for the wooden spoon before a ball was kicked in their maiden season in 2023, the Dolphins exceeded all expectations by finishing 13th.And the team was travelling superbly mid-season before injuries and lack of depth brought them undone and they crashed and burned, losing 10 of their last 12 games.Wayne Bennett and recruitment guru Peter O'Sullivan have worked hard to steady the ship, getting rid of some dead wood and signing three top-flight players in Herbie Farnworth (Broncos), Thomas Flegler (Broncos) and Jake Averillo (Bulldogs). The Dolphins have the squad to make the finals this year - if they learn the lessons from their poor end to last season and have a good run with injury.But the Dolphins' greatest weapon last season - right from the shock first round defeat of the Roosters - was their ability to ambush rivals.They went into most games as underdogs and Bennett was able to get his troops to hustle and bustle their way to victory.That advantage is now gone - rivals enter games this year knowing they're are in for a tight tussle against Redcliffe and the underestimating factor is no more.

Tom Flegler reveals 'blunt' approach from Dolphins coach Wayne Bennett

Tom Flegler has revealed the "blunt" approach used by legendary coach Wayne Bennett, after the representative front-rower left the Broncos to join the Dolphins.The 24-year-old starred for Brisbane during its run to the NRL grand final last year, as well as playing two games for Queensland in the successful State of Origin series, further cementing himself as one of the game's best young enforcers.But the allure of playing one season under Bennett - who will move on from the top job at Redcliffe at the end of 2024 - proved to be too good an offer for Flegler to pass up.Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Flegler gave a brief insight into his simple negotiations with the seven-time premiership winning coach."Wayne is pretty blunt," the front-rower said."He just said 'Tom, we want you'. We had a few little chats, but we only spoke literally twice and with a resume like that, he doesn't need to say too much to get people over the line."His resume speaks for itself and he is probably the greatest coach in the game."To be able to come here and get a year under him and learn off him for a year was outstanding for me."Hopefully I can learn a few things off him and take them into the coming years."Flegler has already made 96 first grade appearances for Brisbane, coming through the dark times in 2020 and 2021 to become a leader at the club, before inking a multi-year agreement to join the Redcliffe-based franchise.In Flegler's absence, Broncos coach Kevin Walters will now be tasked with finding an adequate replacement for the Tully Tigers product - but it's not an issue Flegler is worried about."I don't really care," he said."It's not really my problem, to be honest. I don't really care what happens there."The 110kg middle forward was also quizzed on his own future without having Payne Haas and Patrick Carrigan alongside him, but gave a stoic reply.

Dolphins look to the future with new signing

The Dolphins continue to play the long game, signing a promising 16-year-old who can play anywhere in the forwards.Duquan Talaepa is so versatile he is equally at home at lock, second row, hooker or prop.Formerly with the Bulldogs in their junior system, the 16-year-old has played the past two seasons with the Magpies in the Cyril Connell Cup.The Brisbane schoolboy, who has looked the goods at national championships over the past couple of years, has signed with the Dolphins until the end of 2025.

Young grand final star's switch request revealed

Sunday's grand final could be Selwyn Cobbo's last game on the wing for the Brisbane Broncos.Cobbo has been a superstar on the flank for the Broncos over the past couple of years but has his eye on the centre position set to become vacant with Herbie Farnworth's move to the Dolphins in 2024.The tall speedster wants to move closer to the play and see more football, having played a lot of his junior football at fullback and centre."Selwyn loves the Broncos and will play anywhere they want him to, but he does have a preference at centre or fullback," Cobbo's manager Gavin Orr told Wide World of Sports."Reece Walsh obviously has the fullback spot sewn up for years to come but now there looks like being an opening in the centres next year with Farnworth moving on."Selwyn will give his all on Sunday night and then push for that vacant centre spot in the off season."