The Mole’s review: Major fear for Dolphins as star exodus looms
After a magnificent season in which they played some of the most exciting football in the league, the Dolphins suffered from a bad case of stage fright one game short of the grand final.
In a sad ending to the club’s first-ever finals campaign, they were well and truly out-gunned 36-20 by the Roosters.
Selwyn Cobbo after the Dolphins lost their first preliminary final. Getty Images
The final margin actually flattered an out-of-sorts Redcliffe team, who bagged a couple of late tries to make the difference between the teams look less than it really was.
The Roosters, chock-full of players with big game experience, simply handled the pressure better and punished the Phins for some poor errors.
But Dolphins fans can look back with pride on a season of tremendous progress and a third-placed finish in the regular season.
That earned the Dolphins the daunting task of a first-up final in Auckland against the feared Warriors team - and against all the odds they came up with a fine win.
But in retrospect, that may have been the Phins’ grand final and they looked a shadow of that team against the Roosters after a weekend off.
Leading into the finals, the Phins looked well and truly capable of going all the way in an open premiership race.
Their backline was arguably the quickest in the league, with speedsters like Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Herbie Farnworth, Jack Bostock, Jamayne Isaako and Selwyn Cobbo lighting up fields around the NRL with their pace and skills.
With halves Isaiya Katoa and Kodi Nikorima given a license by coach Kristian Woolf to play what was in front of them and not stick to a rigid game plan, the Phins were a delight to watch.
At times they lacked consistency, but they made up for that with spectacular football and the ability to score tries from anywhere on the field.
The forwards, led by hard heads Tom Flegler and Tom Gilbert, were a tough bunch who did their job in getting field position for the backs to unleash.
Kulikefu Finefeuiaki had a breakout season in the back row, Ray Stone was one of the most feared hit men in the game in his final season and Max Plath was dynamic off the bench or in the back row.
Hooker Jeremy Marshall-King is one of the game’s most under-rated players and his crafty work from dummy half created many opportunities.
Kurt Donoghoe and Connelly Lemuelu rounded off a pack that earned more and more respect as the season unfolded.
The Dolphins’ dilemma now is to build on this historic season - no easy feat given they have lost key men Isaako (Storm), Jake Averillo (Wests Tigers), Nikorima (Dragons) and Stone (retired) and have yet to sign a single established player.
They need to get on the front foot come November 1 and come up with some bargain buys to fill the gaps or they could struggle in 2027.
Best player: Farnworth established himself as the best centre in the rugby league world and his impressive haul of 15 tries from 23 games - plus countless assists - showed just how effective he was.
Key signing: n/a
2027 gains: none to date
2027 losses: Jamayne Isaako (Storm), Jake Averillo (Wests Tigers), Kodi Nikorima (Dragons), Ray Stone (retired)
