Hostplus Cup Archives - Redcliffe Today

Redcliffe Dolphins Honour 2025 Season Achievements at Awards Night

Photo Credit: Redcliffe Dolphins/Facebook

Redcliffe Dolphins players, coaches, and supporters gathered at the Redcliffe Leagues Club to celebrate the 2025 season, highlighted by a BRL premiership victory and a strong Hostplus Cup campaign.

Celebrating Success in Redcliffe

The Redcliffe Dolphins hosted their 2025 awards night on 1 October 2025, recognising standout players and staff for their efforts across the season. The evening marked a high point for the club, following success in the Brisbane Rugby League and a close finish in the Hostplus Cup.

Under first-time Head Coach Dunamis Lui, the BRL side claimed the premiership with a 32–12 win over Carina in the Grand Final. Lui’s leadership and broader impact on the club were recognised with the Des Webb Memorial Award for Club Person of the Year.

Season Highlights and Award Recipients

Prop Josh Allen earned both the Tony Obst Players’ Player Award and the Peter Leis Medal for Player of the Year, finishing on 61 points before his upcoming move to the Catalans Dragons in the Super League.

Other major award winners included:

Jordan Plath – Rookie of the Year
Sheldon Pitama – Troy Lindsay Most Consistent Player
Zac Miles – Best Back
Will Boland – Dick Tosser Turner Pathways Player of the Year
Steven Numambo – BRL Most Consistent
Jack Cullen – Best Forward
Thomas Casey – Best and Fairest
Joshua James – Try of the Year and Highest Points Scorer (146 points)

Hostplus Cup Effort and Leadership Changes

The Dolphins’ Hostplus Cup side fell narrowly short in their preliminary final, losing 18–16 to Burleigh Bears, who went on to win the Grand Final. Head Coach Eric Smith praised his team’s performance before departing to join the Canberra Raiders’ NRL program.

The evening also served as a farewell to Chief Executive Scott Clark, who concluded a three-year tenure leading the club’s operations before moving to the Gold Coast.

Community Support and Response

Following the event, the Dolphins’ social media post congratulating the winners drew positive engagement, with fans commending the players’ achievements and expressing pride in Redcliffe’s strong rugby league community.

Published 10-Oct-2025

Redcliffe Dolphins Feature Strongly in Queensland Under 18 Emerging Squad

Photo Credit: QRL

Five Redcliffe Dolphins players have been selected in Queensland Rugby League’s under 18 Boys Emerging Origin Camp, highlighting the club’s role in developing future talent.

Redcliffe Representation in Emerging Camp

Queensland Rugby League assembled 30 young players for the annual under 18 Boys Emerging Origin Camp on 11 August 2025. The program is designed to prepare promising athletes for progression to Queensland Under 19s, Hostplus Cup, and higher representative honours.

Redcliffe Dolphins are strongly represented, with Noah Fien, Elijah McKay, Nixon Pasese, Brian Pouniu, and Cody Starr among those chosen. Their selection reflects the depth of talent produced by the club’s junior pathways.

Mentorship and Player Development

The camp combines on-field skill development with off-field education. Former State of Origin players Darius Boyd and David Stagg, along with Keegan Hipgrave, guided sessions focusing on resilience, professionalism, and leadership in a professional rugby league environment.

Participants receive structured feedback from Queensland Rugby League’s pathways team, ensuring individual development plans are aligned with future opportunities in the sport.

Redcliffe Dolphins’ Longstanding Role

Founded on 27 February 1947, the Redcliffe Dolphins achieved full district club status in 1959 and entered the Brisbane First Grade competition in 1960.

Premiership history differs across sources. The club’s official record lists premiership wins in 1965, 1994, and 1996, while other published accounts note only two titles in 1965 and 1994.

Similarly, reports of Queensland Cup success vary. Some sources state the Dolphins have appeared in 12 grand finals, while the club’s own account records seven appearances. Despite these differences, the Dolphins remain one of the most successful sides in the state competition.

Queensland Rugby League — *Photo Credit: Redcliffe Dolphins/Facebook*

Development Pathway to the NRL

The Dolphins organisation also holds a National Rugby League licence, with a professional team competing separately in the NRL since 2023. The semi-professional Redcliffe Dolphins continue to compete in the Hostplus Cup and Brisbane Rugby League, sustaining their role as a critical development base for future Queensland and Australian representatives.

Looking Ahead

The inclusion of five Redcliffe players in the 2025 Emerging Origin squad reinforces the club’s reputation for fostering junior talent. With strong representation in the camp, the Dolphins’ development system continues to provide a pathway from community football to the state’s elite rugby league ranks.

Published 16-Aug-2025

Rising Stars Naufahu, Nonu and Fineanganofo Locked In by Dolphins

The Dolphins have locked in three rising stars from their academy system, securing Tevita Naufahu, LJ Nonu and John Fineanganofo on extended deals that will keep them with the club through to 2027. The move solidifies the Redcliffe-based team’s focus on homegrown development, with the trio now positioned to become key contributors to the NRL squad in the coming seasons.

Emerging Talent Steps Up

Announced on 25 July, the Dolphins confirmed that Tevita Naufahu has been promoted to the club’s top 30 squad after a strong showing in the Hostplus Cup and a standout NRL debut earlier in June. The 18-year-old outside back, who transitioned from rugby union in New Zealand, ran for 176 metres in his first NRL appearance. Since joining the Dolphins this year, Naufahu has scored eight tries in nine games for the Central Queensland Capras, showing his ability to perform across multiple backline roles.

LJ Nonu, another young outside back, will become a development player for the 2025 season before joining the top 30 squad in 2026 and 2027. The talented back has played for both the Norths Devils and Redcliffe Dolphins in the Hostplus Cup this season, and caught attention earlier in the year with a hat-trick during a 50-4 trial win over the Cowboys. Nonu has already participated in an NRL pre-season with the Dolphins and remains part of the club’s academy and transition programs.

Future Squad Depth Secured

John Fineanganofo rounds out the trio, having also earned a contract extension that will see him move into a development spot in 2026 and the top 30 in 2027. Originally from Auckland and a product of Auckland Grammar School, Fineanganofo switched codes and joined the Dolphins academy via Redcliffe State High School. In 2023, he was selected for the Australian Schoolboys rugby league team. Now playing with the Capras, Fineanganofo has made ten Hostplus Cup appearances this year and has demonstrated versatility by covering several positions in the forwards and halves.

Local Pride, Long-Term Planning

The Dolphins’ latest signings are another sign of their growing investment in young talent and local development. All three players came through either the Dolphins academy or affiliated systems and have already shown promise at senior levels. The upgrades not only strengthen squad depth, but also reinforce the club’s intention to nurture players from the grassroots up.

While none of the deals were marked by fanfare, they reflect steady and focused work behind the scenes to develop players who can grow into consistent NRL performers. With Naufahu already making his first-grade debut and Nonu and Fineanganofo closely behind, the club’s future appears to be taking shape from within.

Published 28-July-2025

Hostplus Cup: Redcliffe Dolphins Edge Out Tweed Seagulls in the Inaugural Liam Hampson Cup

The Redcliffe Dolphins (5th) edged out the Tweed Seagulls (7th) in the inaugural Liam Hampson Cup. In a nail-biting and emotional match last Sunday, the game kept fans on the edge of their seats until the final minute — ending with a score of 26-24.

The match served as a tribute to the skilful number nine who had graced both the Tweed and Redcliffe sides during his Hostplus Cup career. Tragically, his life was cut short while on holiday overseas last October.

Meanwhile, the Wynnum Manly Seagulls (3rd) secured a resounding victory over the Northern Pride (6th). With a 30-14 win, the WM Seagulls consolidated their position in the top three of the Hostplus Cup. The WM Seagulls are one point clear of fourth place with a game in hand.

In another match, the Souths Logan Magpies (1st) continued their dominant form by defeating the Sunshine Coast Falcons (9th). A final score of 34-22 kept the Magpies at the top of the competition.

The Burleigh Bears (2nd) took on the PNG Hunters (10th) and came out on top 30-22. The win kept them in the hunt for the top spot on the ladder. The Bears are now level on points with the Magpies with a game in hand.

The results mean there will be no changes at the top of the Hostplus Cup ladder.

The Sunshine Coast Falcons remain in contention despite their defeat and currently sit in ninth place.

The Northern Pride drop to seventh after their defeat, while the Tweed Seagulls slide into eighth place. The defeat of the PNG Hunters has seen them drop to 11th place, intensifying the battle for a top eight finish.

Stay tuned for more high-octane rugby league action in the Hostplus Cup.

Published 12 July 2023