The Dolphins didn’t just beat Cronulla — they broke them.
In a ground where the Sharks hadn’t lost in eight games, the Dolphins absorbed pressure, stayed composed, then blew the game open late to storm away 38–10 in one of their most complete performances yet.
For 70 minutes, it was a grind. The final 10 turned it into a message.
Composure Under Pressure
Early, this was arm-wrestle football. Limited space, heavy contact, and both sides forced to earn every metre.
Jake Averillo struck first, capitalising on a fractured edge, before Isaiya Katoa began to settle the Dolphins into shape with his control and distribution.
Cronulla hit back after the break, and at 16–10 with 20 to play, the contest was alive.
That’s where the Dolphins’ backfield work stood out. Averillo and the outside backs consistently carried strongly out of their own end, easing pressure and helping reset momentum.
The Turning Point
The defining moment came without the ball.
A desperate defensive stand denied the Sharks on the line just as momentum threatened to swing. From the next set, the Dolphins went the length and scored — a momentum flip that shifted the game decisively.
It was the difference between hanging on and taking over.
Left Edge Strikes
Herbie Farnworth set the tone on the left, repeatedly bending the line and creating second-phase play.
His link-up with Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow cut Cronulla apart, most notably just before half-time, while Katoa’s long passing game stretched the defence and created clean finishing opportunities out wide.
Ruthless Finish
Up by eight late, the Dolphins didn’t close the game — they crushed it.
A late surge of tries turned a tight contest into a blowout, with Averillo finishing with a double and the back five continuing to win the yardage battle.
Ending Cronulla’s home streak on their own turf is one thing. Doing it with that level of control is another.
As coach Kristian Woolf put it post-match, “the Sharks put us on the backfoot, Jake Averillo and the back 5 brought the ball out really well.”
That balance — absorbing pressure, then winning the yardage battle — is becoming a defining trait of this Dolphins side.
Can they back it up?
Now it gets bigger.
The Dolphins carry real momentum into next week’s Brisbane derby at Suncorp. If this was a statement, the next game is the test of whether they can back it up.
Fourteen points down, error-ridden and chasing the game, the Titans had them exactly where they wanted them.
Then Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow rose above the pack, snatched an Isaiya Katoa bomb out of the air and flipped the night at Suncorp Stadium.
The Dolphins escaped with an 18–14 comeback victory over the Gold Coast Titans, but the story of how they got there was far more chaotic.
A scrappy opening favoured the Titans
The first half never really settled into rhythm.
Both sides struggled to build attacking fluency, but the Dolphins’ ball security was the bigger issue. By halftime they had made nine errors and completed just 14 of 23 sets, forcing themselves to defend far more than they attacked.
The Titans were far more composed. Their completion rate sat above 80 percent and they steadily built pressure through field position rather than spectacular attack.
Gold Coast opened the scoring in the 8th minute when Lachlan Ilias kicked a penalty goal after Tino Fa’asuamaleaui was collected high near the line.
The first try did not arrive until the 34th minute and it came directly from another Dolphins mistake. Connelly Lemuelu spilled the ball in attack, Chris Randall reacted quickest, Kurtis Morrin broke through the middle and Jojo Fifita finished the movement out wide.
Ilias converted and the Titans carried an 8–0 halftime lead into the sheds.
The defensive lapse that made it 14–0
The Dolphins needed a strong start to the second half but instead conceded again within minutes.
Titans forward Cooper Bai crossed for his first NRL try after running a switch play close to the line with dummy-half Sam Verrills. Dolphins defenders were slow to reset after the previous tackle and Bai slipped through a gap untouched.
When Ilias converted, the Titans had stretched the lead to 14–0 and the Dolphins suddenly looked short on answers.
At that stage Gold Coast had controlled the fundamentals of the match: better completion rate, stronger discipline and superior field position.
The moment that changed the game
The turning point arrived in the 52nd minute.
After forcing a line dropout through attacking pressure, the Titans attempted a short restart. Winger Phil Sami batted the ball backwards toward teammates but the bounce fell perfectly for Dolphins forward Kulikefu Finefeuiaki, who gathered the loose ball and ran about 15 metres to score.
The try reduced the margin to 14–6 and finally gave the Dolphins some momentum.
The Hammer ignites the comeback
With just over ten minutes remaining, the Dolphins finally produced the attacking speed they had been searching for all night.
Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow burst down the left edge on a long line break before the ball was shifted quickly across field. Kodi Nikorima helped create the overlap and Jake Averillo finished the movement in the right corner.
Jamayne Isaako’s difficult sideline conversion cut the deficit to 14–12, and the pressure suddenly shifted to the Titans.
Five minutes later the Dolphins struck again.
Isaiya Katoa launched a shallow attacking bomb toward the posts. Tabuai-Fidow timed his jump perfectly, climbing above Titans fullback Keano Kini to secure the ball and score beneath the posts.
Isaako converted and the Dolphins had their first lead of the night at 18–14.
From there they held their nerve through the closing minutes to secure the win.
Star power vs consistency
The match featured strong performances from both fullbacks.
Titans number one Keano Kini was influential throughout the contest and produced a crucial try-saving tackle on Jamayne Isaako earlier in the second half that kept the Dolphins scoreless at the time.
But the decisive moments belonged to Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow.
His long break created the Averillo try and his aerial take from Katoa’s bomb produced the match-winning moment.
In a game where the Dolphins struggled with execution for long stretches, their fullback’s pace, timing and aerial ability ultimately proved the difference.
The verdict
For the Dolphins, the result delivers their first win of the 2026 season and a much-needed lift after a shaky start.
The performance itself will give the coaching staff plenty to analyse. Nine first-half errors, a 60 percent completion rate and defensive lapses that allowed easy points are not habits that will stand up against stronger opposition.
For the Titans, the loss will sting. They controlled large portions of the contest and led by two converted tries early in the second half but were unable to shut the game down when the Dolphins surged.
In rugby league, momentum can turn quickly.
On this night at Suncorp Stadium, the difference was a moment of class from the Dolphins’ fullback.
And when the pressure arrived late in the match, the Hammer struck.
It’s here! The Dolphins kick off their 2026 NRL season campaign hosting the South Sydney Rabbitohs at Suncorp Stadium, hoping to get off the starting blocks with a win. The Redcliffe Dolphins QRL team also begin their Hostplus Cup campaign this weekend at Kayo Stadium against the Burleigh Bears.
An opening weekend double header at two separate venues.
Redcliffe Ready: Dolphins Open 2026 with Heavyweight Round One NRL Clash
There is no easing into 2026.
The Dolphins open their season on Sunday at Suncorp Stadium against a South Sydney side loaded with star power but arriving with question marks after a disrupted pre-season.
Tom Flegler and Tom Gilbert return to the starting pack; Selwyn Cobbo makes his club debut; and Redcliffe gets an immediate read on whether this roster is ready to turn two near-misses into a genuine top-eight push.
For Redcliffe, this is not just round one — it is a genuine early test of whether this squad is ready to convert potential into finals football.
Kick-off is at 1:05pm on Sunday, March 8.
Forward Pack Reinforced
The biggest substance in this team list sits up front.
Flegler returns at prop after nearly two years sidelined by a serious shoulder injury. His presence changes the tone of the middle immediately. Alongside him, Gilbert is named to start at prop in his first NRL appearance since Round 11 last season and will captain the side in his comeback game.
Morgan Knowles starts at lock in his first match for the club, adding further steel to a forward rotation that includes Connelly Lemuelu and Kulikefu Finefeuiaki in the back row.
At hooker, reigning 2025 Forward of the Year and Most Consistent Player Kurt Donoghoe gets the nod, with Bradley Schneider, Oryn Keeley, Felise Kaufusi and Trai Fuller on the bench.
After falling agonisingly short of the top eight in each of the past two seasons, this is the strongest middle Redcliffe has taken into a Round One game.
Strike Power Out Wide
If the pack lays the platform, the backline has the capacity to finish.
Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow remains at fullback, despite off-season speculation about a positional switch. Coach Kristian Woolf confirmed he would stay at the back, with Trai Fuller named on the bench.
Selwyn Cobbo lines up on the wing for his club debut, opposite Jamayne Isaako. Jake Averillo and Herbie Farnworth combine again in the centres, while Isaiya Katoa partners Kodi Nikorima in the halves.
The Dolphins finished 2025 as the number one attacking team in the NRL. Tabuai-Fidow has scored 16 tries in his past 10 games at Suncorp Stadium. Those numbers are not theoretical — they reflect how quickly this side can turn pressure into points.
Rabbitohs Bring Firepower — and Questions
On paper, South Sydney arrive with serious class.
Latrell Mitchell starts in the centres, Cody Walker at five-eighth and captain Cameron Murray at lock. David Fifita will make his club debut in the second row after a strong pre-season, while Alex Johnston returns fit and sits just two tries short of equalling Ken Irvine’s all-time premiership try-scoring record.
But the Rabbitohs’ preparation has not been smooth.
Hooker Brandon Smith has undergone scans on a calf injury that could sideline him for an extended period, adding to a growing injury list. Halfback Jamie Humphreys is suspended for the opening two rounds, while Jonah Glover was ruled out after breaking his jaw in the Charity Shield. Jayden Sullivan has been working back from surgery to treat an infection and remains a watch heading into the weekend.
That has placed pressure on the halves combination. Ashton Ward has been named at No.7 alongside Walker, stepping into a key organisational role in just his seventh NRL appearance. Wayne Bennett has been forced to manage significant reshuffling during the pre-season and may yet need further adjustments if availability shifts again.
In the forwards, Jai Arrow remains sidelined indefinitely with a shoulder issue. Sean Keppie and Bronson Garlick both failed head injury assessments in a pre-season fixture but are expected to be available following the required concussion protocols.
The result is a Rabbitohs side that has quality across the park but enters round one with moving parts. South Sydney enter Round One after a disrupted pre-season due to injuries and suspensions.
For Redcliffe, that matters.
What It All Means for Redcliffe
The Dolphins have won four of their past six games at Suncorp. South Sydney managed just three wins from 12 away matches in 2025.
Both clubs have spoken openly about top-eight ambitions in 2026. Both have strengthened key areas. But round one is about execution, not projection.
With Flegler and Gilbert back in the engine room, Cobbo bringing fresh edge speed and Katoa now firmly established as the club’s on-field organiser, this is the most balanced Dolphins side Redcliffe has taken into a season opener.
The peninsula has watched this build year by year — from expansion curiosity to genuine contender. Expectations are no longer about competitiveness. They are about progression.
A fast, physical start at Suncorp would not just open the season. It would tell Redcliffe that 2026 is the year the Dolphins move from chasing the eight to belonging in it.
Dolphins v Rabbitohs Sunday, March 8 1:05pm Suncorp Stadium Broadcast on Nine Network, Nine Now, Kayo and Foxtel
Published 4-March-2026
Also happening this weekend at Kayo Stadium…
Redcliffe Dolphins Begin QRL 2026 with September in the Rearview — and Burleigh Bears in the Crosshairs
The QRL Hostplus Cup season opens for the Redcliffe Dolphins exactly where last year ended — against the Burleigh Bears.
An 18–16 preliminary final defeat at UAA Park last September left Redcliffe one step short of a grand final. Not outplayed. Not overwhelmed. Just edged in a contest decided by fine margins.
Now 2026 begins at Kayo Stadium with the same opponent across the line.
The memory is fresh. The response comes first.
Head-to-Head: Margins Define It
Across 22 meetings between the Dolphins and Bears, Redcliffe hold a narrow historical edge:
• 12 wins • 9 losses • 1 draw
Recent clashes underline how little separates the sides.
The most recent meeting — that 18–16 preliminary final — was decided late. Earlier in the 2025 regular season, Burleigh recorded a 30–12 result. These contests are shaped by discipline and execution rather than dominance.
Fortress Kayo
Venue numbers strengthen Redcliffe’s position heading into Round One.
At Kayo Stadium, the Dolphins win 66% of their matches — 79 victories from 120 appearances.
Burleigh’s record at the venue sits at 38% (5 wins from 13 games).
Nearly half of Redcliffe’s 2026 QRL regular season — 11 of 23 matches — will again be played on the peninsula. Early home conversion plays a major role in ladder stability across the 12-team competition.
Round One begins where Redcliffe are statistically strongest.
What Last Season Proved
The Dolphins finished sixth in the 2025 regular season before pushing deep into the finals and falling just two points short of a grand final appearance.
That run confirmed Redcliffe as one of the competition’s most consistent sides. Their late-season form and defensive resilience carried them through the finals and within a single score of the decider.
Rather than rebuilding in 2026, the Dolphins begin the new campaign looking to build directly on that momentum.
Program Strength vs Program Strength
Overall win rates underline how competitive both clubs have been historically:
Declan Dowson anchors the back at fullback. Steven Numbo and Jude Saldanha provide width, with Montel Lisala and Michael McGrath completing the backline. Karl Oloapu and Joshua James combine in the halves.
Through the middle, Jack Johnson, Jordan Plath and Riley Price headline the forward pack alongside Domenico De Stradis, Sam Elliott and lock Sheldon Pitama.
The interchange — Max Plath, Mali Le Pou, Patrice Siolo and Elijah Rasmussen — adds forward depth and defensive stability.
This is not a side searching for combinations. It is a team beginning the season with cohesion already established.
The Moment
Redcliffe do not open 2026 chasing credibility. They open defending momentum.
They hold the historical edge. They dominate at Kayo Stadium. Burleigh hold the most recent victory.
Two points separated them in September.
Now the Redcliffe Dolphins begin their QRL campaign with the chance to answer it — immediately.
Redcliffe Dolphins v Burleigh Bears Round 1 — QRL Hostplus Cup 2026 Venue: Kayo Stadium, Redcliffe Date: Sunday, March 8 Kick-off:1:10pm AEST Competition: Hostplus Cup (QRL)
A mobile water refill station has been making the rounds at events across Moreton Bay, Sunshine Coast and Noosa, dispensing free drinking water to crowds and tallying up the equivalent of 70,000 reusable bottle fills over the past year. Unitywater’s Drink Tap van has turned up everywhere from beachside holiday hotspots to local sporting matches, including recent stops in Redcliffe.
The van was parked at Kayo Stadium for the Dolphins’ pre-season showdown on 12 February. It’s scheduled to return for the Redcliffe Dolphins versus Sea Eagles match on 2 April, one of 47 community and sporting events the service has attended over the past 12 months.
Photo credit: Unitywater
The 70,000-bottle milestone represents water dispensed at various community gatherings, from sports fixtures to summer holiday events. The service allows people to avoid purchasing single-use plastic bottles of water at public events.
Joshua Zugajev, Unitywater’s Executive Manager Strategic Engagement, said the initiative extends the delivery of clean drinking water beyond homes and businesses and into the community.
“It’s been fantastic to see the community welcoming our drink tap van to so many local events, where they can fill up for free and avoid purchasing single-use plastic bottles of water,” Mr Zugajev said.
Unitywater’s Drink Tap van was stationed at the Noosa Heads Surf Life Saving Club for several weeks during the recent summer school holidays. (Photo supplied)
According to Mr Zugajev, single-use plastics contribute to the seven million tonnes of rubbish entering oceans annually, with Healthy Land and Water figures showing 80 per cent of this waste is plastic.
“By making water more readily available in the community we are supporting people to use their reusable water bottles every day to help reduce the number of single-use plastic bottles that often end up in landfill or our natural environment and waterways,” he said.
Beyond Redcliffe, the van spent several weeks at Noosa Heads Surf Life Saving Club during the summer school holidays. Mr Zugajev cited the example of Tony, a Victorian visitor who used the service daily during his family’s camping trip to stay hydrated while at the beach and Hastings Street.
The 70,000-bottle figure suggests uptake of the service at the events it has attended. For sporting events at venues like Kayo Stadium, the van offers an option for spectators looking to avoid purchasing bottled water.
The Redcliffe-based Dolphins have landed 14-year-old Wylei Parker on a three-year development deal, marking a significant win in the battle for emerging talent against their Brisbane rivals.
Wylei is the son of Brisbane Broncos champion Corey Parker, who played 347 games for the Red Hill club and helped them win the 2006 premiership. The teenager’s signature with the Moreton Bay team represents a notable shift in the local rugby league landscape, with the Dolphins securing a Parker despite his father’s legendary status at Lang Park.
Building Pathways From the Redcliffe Peninsula
The Dolphins beat the Gold Coast Titans and Canterbury Bulldogs to secure Wylei’s signature. The Broncos reportedly did not express interest in the son of their club legend, despite Corey Parker ranking as the second-highest appearance maker in Brisbane’s history behind only Darren Lockyer.
Wylei has transformed from a halfback into a hooker and models his game on Melbourne Storm and Queensland Maroons star Harry Grant. At 14 years old turning 15, he enters the age bracket where clubs can formally contract promising juniors as part of their academy systems.
The development deal involves two training sessions per month, tours and structured pathways designed to nurture young talent while ensuring players can still enjoy their adolescent years. Wylei will be instilled as part of the Dolphins academy system, which operates from Kayo Stadium in Redcliffe alongside the club’s NRL operations.
Redcliffe’s Growing Win for Moreton Bay’s NRL Presence
The signing reinforces the Dolphins’ strategy of building their junior development programs across the Redcliffe Peninsula, northern Brisbane suburbs and the broader Moreton Bay region. Since entering the NRL in 2023, the club has worked to establish pathways that compete directly with the Broncos for local talent.
Corey Parker announced the news on social media, expressing pride in his son’s achievement. The former Broncos captain described the signing as opening the door to an amazing opportunity backed by hard work, commitment and belief.
He also spoke about the signing on SEN radio recently, noting his excitement for his son’s journey while acknowledging the variables that come with teenage development in rugby league.
The former lock forward emphasised that the opportunity allows Wylei to be part of structured development while still maintaining balance as a young person.
The signing follows another high-profile father-son story in recent months, with Andrew Johns’ 16-year-old son Louis signing a development contract with the Sydney Roosters rather than his father’s former club, the Newcastle Knights.
Redcliffe’s Growing Academy System
The Dolphins organisation has invested heavily in development structures since being granted their NRL licence in October 2021. The club’s commitment to pathways was a central pillar of their successful bid over the Brisbane Firehawks and Brisbane Jets for the competition’s 17th licence.
Kayo Stadium serves as both the training and administration base for the NRL team while hosting select home games alongside the club’s primary venue at Suncorp Stadium. The 10,000-capacity stadium underwent significant upgrades between 2015 and 2020 to support the Dolphins’ NRL ambitions and now houses comprehensive academy facilities.
The Redcliffe Dolphins, who continue to compete separately in the Queensland Cup, have produced numerous representative players throughout their 75-year history, including rugby league legends Trevor Harken and Arthur Beetson.
Wylei Parker’s signing represents another step in the Dolphins’ efforts to establish themselves as a legitimate pathway option for emerging talent in South East Queensland, competing directly with the Broncos despite the weight of family legacy pulling in the opposite direction.
Three tries in the first 11 minutes put the Dolphins in a great position at Suncorp on Sunday, but as easily as they went 18-0 ahead, they went in at half-time, 18 all.
Trai Fuller, Tebila Naufahu and the Hammer crossed the try line within the first 11 minutes, but the Titans then scored three unanswered tries through Brian Kelly. Jaylan De Groot and Kieran Foran, Jayden Campbell converted all the three tries for the Titans, matching Jamayne Isaako for the Dolphins.
Two early second-half tries for the Phins (Naufahu and Katoa), settled them down until AJ Brimson crossed for the Titans. Kodi Nikorima crossong for the Dolphins sixth try, pushing the game out to two scores until Jayden Campbell converted his own try in the 73rd minute, but the Dolphins held on.
Kristian Woolf said., “We took the pressure off them and put it on ourselves in the second half. Once we fixed that in the second half, things turned back in our favour.”
“Tre did some great things…..he’s just so brave, Kurt is exceptional, he’s been pretty crook all week, he hasn’t really trained with the group, so to go out and play the minutes he did and get shifted around, that try he set up in the centres, pretty great skill, then go back in the middle and do what he does there, he’s a great player for us.”
Former Dolphins Coach Wayne Bennett needs to get the the Rabbitohs up over the Roosters to give the Phins a chance of making the 8, and the Phins would love him to win big. Meanwhile Woolf will be secretly hoping that the Raiders will rest some of their first team stars so that Kayo Stadium can deliver the Dolphins a “w” for the end of season finale!
Regarding Herbie Farnworth coming back next week, Kristian Woolf said there was a chance he could be back. He also backed Trai Fuller after a big performance against the Titans. “Hammer’s our full back but I’m sure we can find a place for Trai somewhere.”
Red-hot and ruthless. The Dolphins delivered one of their most clinical performances of the season on Thursday night, blowing the Cowboys away 43–24 in front of a vocal Suncorp Stadium crowd. With their top-eight hopes on the line, Redcliffe’s NRL side turned up the heat and never let up—running in seven tries in a dominant Queensland derby.
Lightning Start and Statement Finish
Oryn Keeley opened the scoring just three minutes into the contest, giving the Dolphins early momentum. The Cowboys responded with a try to Murray Taulagi, but a sensational 95-metre intercept from Jake Averillo put the Phins back in front.
From there, the Dolphins took control. Returning after a post-Origin rest, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow looked fresh and dangerous—scoring twice before halftime as he tormented his former club’s right edge. By the break, the Dolphins were cruising with a 24–6 lead.
Backline Brilliance
Averillo backed up his first-half try with a second later in the game, while Harrison Graham added his name to the scoreboard to keep the pressure on North Queensland. Jamayne Isaako was sharp with the boot, slotting three conversions and a penalty goal, and Isaiya Katoa iced the game with a late field goal.
The Cowboys staged a mini-revival in the second half through tries to Scott Drinkwater and Tom Dearden, but they were chasing shadows for most of the night. The Dolphins’ forward rotation rolled through the middle, and their backs found metres and points out wide.
Woolf’s Men Hit Their Stride
Coach Kristian Woolf praised his side’s composure and intensity, particularly the way the forwards laid the foundation for their strike players. The team played with a balance of structure and freedom that allowed Tabuai-Fidow, Averillo and Isaako to do damage out wide.
Analysts also highlighted how the Dolphins exposed the Cowboys’ defensive right edge, with line breaks and support play repeatedly punching holes in their structure.
Redcliffe Spirit on Display
For Dolphins fans across Redcliffe and Moreton Bay, this win was personal. The local side’s dominance under the bright lights of Suncorp reinforced their credentials as genuine finals contenders. The energy, precision and flair on display was exactly what suburban supporters had been waiting for—and it came at just the right time in the season.
Finals Push Heats Up
The win pushes the Dolphins back into the top eight with six rounds to play. If they can maintain the attacking polish and defensive discipline shown in this game, the Redcliffe-based squad will be right in the thick of the finals race—and no team will want to face them.
Match Summary
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Date: Thursday, 17 July 2025
Kick-off: 7:50pm AEST
Final Score: Dolphins 43 def Cowboys 24
Dolphins Tries: Oryn Keeley, Jake Averillo (2), Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (2), Harrison Graham
Dolphins fans were treated to a performance to remember on Friday night as the Dolphins crushed the St George Illawarra Dragons 56–6 at Suncorp Stadium — their biggest win in club history and the first time they’ve ever posted 50+ points in a match.
Despite conceding an early penalty goal, the Dolphins wasted no time taking control. Herbie Farnworth opened the floodgates, followed by a clinical finish from Jamayne Isaako, who then nailed the conversion. Kodi Nikorima and Connelly Lemuelu added to the onslaught, with Lemuelu scoring shortly after coming off the bench. Jack Bostock soared above the pack to add another spectacular try, sending the Dolphins into the sheds with a commanding 28–2 lead at halftime.
No Let-Up in the Second Half
The second half saw more of the same — intensity, speed, and clinical execution. Lemuelu bagged his second, Isaako crossed again, and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, true to form, tore through the Dragons’ edge defence for a double. Farnworth sealed the night with his second, taking the total to 10 tries.
Standout Performers
Isaiya Katoa: A commanding presence in the halves with two try assists, three offloads, a line break assist, and a pinpoint 40/20 kick.
Jamayne Isaako: Amassed 24 points with two tries and eight conversions — flawless from the tee.
Connelly Lemuelu: Made a major impact off the bench with two well-earned tries.
Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow: Continued to light up the backline with two blistering tries of his own.
Dragons Stumble in Suncorp Swirl
The Dragons struggled to find rhythm from the outset and were further disrupted by an early injury to winger Christian Tuipulotu, who limped off with a hamstring issue. Their lone bright spot came in the 64th minute when Sione Finau crossed for a consolation try — but it was far too late to shift the momentum.
Where It Leaves the Dolphins
The victory not only restores the Dolphins’ win–loss tally to 6–7, but it also catapults them into the NRL top eight. It’s a major psychological boost and a clear signal to the rest of the competition: this side is no longer building — they’re arriving.
Dolphins fans will have plenty to look forward to on Friday night as their teamtake on the St George Illawarra Dragons in a must-win match for both sides. With just two competition points separating them, this Round 14 showdown could catapult the Dolphins into the top eight — a significant milestone in their push for finals footy.
Flying High After Belting the Bulldogs
The Dolphins roll into this game on the back of their most emphatic performance of the season — a stunning 44-8 win over the Bulldogs in Sydney. Missing key playmakers due to Origin duties and injury, the side delivered a ruthless display that showcased depth, unity, and serious attacking strike power.
Jamayne Isaako led the charge, racking up 20 points from a try and eight conversions, pushing his season tally past the century mark. Herbie Farnworth added another try to continue his six-game streak, while Jack Bostock and Harrison Graham also crossed in a match where nearly everything stuck. Kurt Donoghoe, who returned bravely from a nasty head knock, sealed the deal with a gutsy final try.
It was a statement win — not just for the scoreboard, but for belief.
Dragons Digging In — But History’s Against Them at Suncorp
The Dragons have also found some mid-season form, notching up back-to-back wins including a solid 20-6 victory over the Knights last weekend. However, their track record at Suncorp tells another story, just two wins from their last ten visits suggests this ground hasn’t been kind to them.
St George Illawarra will also be without hard-hitting second-rower Jaydn Su’a, ruled out with an ankle injury. Luciano Leilua will start in his place, while Christian Tuipulotu returns to the wing. Coach Shane Flanagan has managed to steady the ship in recent weeks, but the Redcliffe faithful know Suncorp is a different beast.
Match-Ups That Could Swing It
Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (Dolphins): The Hammer has an outstanding record against the Dragons, notching four tries in just two games. Backed by his trademark speed, he’ll be a danger every time he touches the ball.
Isaiya Katoa (Dolphins): The young playmaker continues to grow in confidence, with smart kicking and crisp passing key to unlocking defences. He’ll play a crucial role in controlling the tempo.
Ben Hunt (Dragons): The former Broncos halfback has the ability to turn a match on its head. With his kicking game and experience, the Dolphins can’t afford to give him time or space.
Points Scored: Dolphins 44, Bulldogs 8
Tries: 7 total — scored by Isaako, Farnworth, Bostock, Graham, Donoghoe, and more
Tackle Efficiency: Strong across the board, with limited missed tackles despite personnel changes
Completion Rate: High, reflecting discipline and focus under pressure
The Road Ahead
With Origin selections affecting line-ups and the competition ladder tightening, every match now carries extra weight. A win for the Dolphins at home would reaffirm their finals credentials.
Kristian Woolf’s men are beginning to find their rhythm, and if they can repeat their clinical showing from Round 12, they’ll be hard to stop.
For Redcliffe fans, Friday night isn’t just another round. It’s a chance to watch their team step up, right here in Queensland heartland.
Kristian Woolf will be delighted with the Hammer’s last minute heroics a week ago, a try saving tackle that got the Dolphins over the line against the Eels. However, hosting the Warriors at Suncorp will likely be a much tougher job.
Tries from Jack Bostock, Connelly Lemuelu and Herbie Farnworth got the Phins into a winning position at Commbank Stadium but when Mitch Moses threw the long cut out pass that Josh Addo-Carr turned into a 2 on 1 it looked like a horror movie for Phins fans, but the Hammer’s marshalling in defence to control Dylan Brown’s weaving run ended the game.
The Dolphins are unchanged with the Warriors having James Fisher-Harris back to start. He has been out since April 13 with a pectoral strain. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck joins the reserves after two months out with a hamstring injury.
The Warriors also back up from a nailbiter last week. The 15-14 win, with a 69th minute Luke Metcalf field goal holding off the dogged Dragons.
Erin Clark’s 52 tackles the standout along with a 92% completion rate by the Warriors. The heavy carries and strong post-contact metres with limited errors outweighing a lack of line breaks and flair. The Dolphins will need to be ready for the attritional offence that the Warriors bring.
The Warriors in second with a 7-win, 2-loss record will be favourites but the Dolphins love the underdog tag.
