The Mole: 'Wild card' recruit that could transform Dolphins from top eight near misses to finalists

The Dolphins have looked the real deal in their first three seasons in the NRL, starting strongly before running out of steam late in the year against the game's more experienced teams.

But this season, the Dolphins appear to have the fire power to go the distance.

The return of key forwards Tom Flegler and Tom Gilbert adds vital strength and stability to the pack and if the Dolphins can stay healthy, 2026 could be their breakthrough year into finals football.

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No team in the league has a quicker backline, headlined by the brilliant Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, who scores tries for fun, and the Dolphins have the potential to score tries from anywhere on the field.

Throw in the likes of Jamayne Isaako, Herbie Farnworth, Jack Bostock, Jake Averillo, Trai Fuller and new boy Selwyn Cobbo and you can see why the Dolphins are such a danger out wide.

Cobbo is pushing hard to kick-start his career after a disappointing year at the Broncos in 2025 and has the talent to be an asset if he applies himself and works hard at training.

For the first time in his life, Cobbo trained over the Christmas break and is 10 kilos lighter than last year in the lead-up to what shapes as a make or break season for the former Queensland Origin flanker.

Halves Kodi Nikorima and Isaiya Katoa are both superb ball players who create time and space for the guys outside them and there are few more enjoyable teams to watch in the NRL as a result.

Katoa, in particular, is developing into a wonderful playmaker and he is improving year by year.

In the pack, Jeremy Marshall-King is one of the most under-rated dummy halves in the NRL and he gets his big men going forward with his tricks out of dummy half.

The pack isn't the strongest in the NRL, but if they can hold their opponents up front, the backline will carve out wins.

Watch the 2026 NRL season live and free on Nine and 9Now.

Coach Kristian Woolf will be hoping Englishman Morgan Knowles is an immediate success and if so, the pack will be that much better.

2026 Gains: Selwyn Cobbo (Brisbane Broncos, 2026), Morgan Knowles (St Helens Saints, 2027), Brian Pouniu (2026), Brad Schneider (Penrith Panthers, 2026), Sebastian Su'a (Newcastle Knights, 2027)

2026 Losses: Kenneath Bromwich (retired), Max Feagai (Gold Coast Titans), Harrison Graham (Newcastle Knights), Peter Hola (Newcastle Knights), Josh Kerr (St George Illawarra Dragons), Mark Nicholls (retired), Sean O'Sullivan (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs), Aublix Tawha (Brisbane Broncos), Mason Teague, Junior Tupou (Sydney Roosters), James Walsh (North Queensland Cowboys), Michael Waqa (Brisbane Broncos)

Best buy: Cobbo could prove the wild card for the Dolphins with his size and strength and ability to play centre, wing or fullback.

It's a big season for: Tom Flegler, who has missed two seasons of football with a career-threatening shoulder injury. Doctors have cleared him - but we won't really know if he is cured until he takes the first few solid bumps.

Biggest question mark: Lack of depth over a long season has been a worry for the Dolphins - as you would expect for a new franchise. But now in their fourth year, is there more talent coming through the ranks?

Finish last year (after 26 rounds): 9th

Predicted finish: 7th

Best 19 man squad

1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow

2. Jamayne Isaako

3. Selwyn Cobbo

4. Herbie Farnworth

5. Jake Averillo

6. Kodi Nikorima

7. Isaiya Katoa

8. Daniel Saifiti

9. Jeremy Marshall-King

10. Thomas Flegler

11. Tom Gilbert

12. Felise Kaufusi

13. Max Plath

Interchange

14. Kurt Donoghoe

15. Francis Molo

16. Morgan Knowles

17. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki

18. Trai Fuller

19. Jake Averillo

Odds to win comp: $19