NRL Archives - Redcliffe Today

Dolphins Pass Another Top-Four Test In Gritty Win Over Dragons

The Dolphins tightened their grip on a top-four spot on Friday night, outlasting the St George Illawarra Dragons 28-22 at WIN Stadium in Wollongong after a frantic finish threatened to undo an otherwise commanding performance. What looked comfortable with 10 minutes to play became anything but as the Dragons charged home, forcing Kristian Woolf’s side to earn every metre of the win.

With the race for the top four tightening, these are the games the Dolphins had to bank. They arrived in Wollongong as favourites against a side sitting outside the finals picture, and despite a few nervous moments late, left with the result they needed to keep their double-chance hopes firmly on track.

It was far from perfect. The Dolphins completed only 71 per cent of their sets and committed more errors than the Dragons, but they consistently rolled further downfield. They finished with 2,001 running metres, 629 post-contact metres and 266 kick-return metres, giving themselves better field position for most of the night.

Dolphins Take Control Before The Break

The visitors struck first when Connelly Lemuelu slipped a superb offload to Kodi Nikorima, who broke into space before sending Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow away for the opening try. Jamayne Isaako converted to make it 6-0 after five minutes.

The Dragons answered through Setu Tu before Tyrell Sloan continued his outstanding try-scoring run, finishing a slick left-edge movement to edge the home side in front.

The Dolphins responded immediately.

Selwyn Cobbo crossed after a sweeping movement to level the scores before the visitors produced their best attack of the half. Kurt Donoghoe surged into the backfield, Herbie Farnworth somehow freed his arms in heavy traffic, and Ray Stone crashed over beside the posts. Isaako converted for a 16-10 half-time lead.

Dolphins Answer Every Challenge

The second half settled into an arm wrestle before the Dolphins struck again.

Cobbo grabbed his second try in the 54th minute after another sharp left-edge shift before Isaako pushed the margin to 12 points.

The Dragons responded when Tyrell Sloan burst through and sent Clint Gutherson over to close the gap, but Thomas Flegler restored breathing space for the Dolphins with a powerful try near the posts. Isaako’s conversion made it 28-16 with just over 10 minutes remaining.

At 28-16 the game looked over.

Instead, the Dragons came again.

Ryan Couchman finished a sweeping late raid after breaks from Josh Kerr and Couchman himself punched holes through the Dolphins defence. Valentine Holmes converted to make it a six-point game and suddenly the home crowd sensed one last twist.

The Dragons forced field position, challenged a late decision and peppered the Dolphins’ line, but the visitors defended calmly through the closing sets before forcing the error that sealed the result.

The statistics reflected a contest that was much tighter than the ladder suggested. Possession was split 50-50 and the Dragons completed at 83 per cent, yet the Dolphins made their carries count. They broke 36 tackles, averaged more than 51 metres per set, restricted the Dragons to 87.7 per cent tackle efficiency and repeatedly won the yardage battle.

Cobbo’s double headlined the night, Tabuai-Fidow continued his prolific record against the Dragons, Ray Stone provided real spark off the bench and Isaako’s four goals from five attempts ensured the Dolphins converted their opportunities.

It wasn’t pretty, but it may prove one of the Dolphins’ more important wins of the season.

NRL Telstra Premiership – Round 22

St George Illawarra Dragons 22
(Setu Tu, Tyrell Sloan, Clinton Gutherson, Ryan Couchman tries; Valentine Holmes 3/4 goals)

Dolphins 28
(Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Selwyn Cobbo 2, Ray Stone, Thomas Flegler tries; Jamayne Isaako 4/5 goals)

Half-time: Dolphins 16-10

Date: Friday, 31 July 2026

Venue: WIN Stadium, Wollongong

Team Lists

St George Illawarra Dragons: Clinton Gutherson, Setu Tu, Valentine Holmes, Moses Suli, Tyrell Sloan, Lyhkan King-Togia, Kyle Flanagan, Loko Jnr Pasifiki Tonga, Damien Cook, Toby Couchman, Dylan Egan, Hamish Stewart, Ryan Couchman. Interchange: Daniel Atkinson, Jacob Liddle, Luciano Leilua, Josh Kerr, Jacob Halangahu, Emre Guler.

Dolphins: Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Jamayne Isaako, Jack Bostock, Herbie Farnworth, Selwyn Cobbo, Kodi Nikorima, Isaiya Katoa, Thomas Flegler, Jeremy Marshall-King, Francis Molo, Connelly Lemuelu, Kulikefu Finefeuiaki, Morgan Knowles. Interchange: Kurt Donoghoe, Max Plath, Tom Gilbert, Ray Stone, Bradley Schneider, Felise Kaufusi.

Dolphins Turn Arm Wrestle Into Second-Half Blitz

A 20-point victory doesn’t always tell the full story.

For long stretches on Sunday afternoon, the Cowboys looked capable of spoiling the Dolphins’ day. They raced to an early lead, defended with plenty of resolve and, even with time slipping away, were still only one converted try from drawing level.

The scoreboard changed quickly after that.

The Dolphins finished with a burst that North Queensland simply couldn’t contain, piling on the final 12 points to complete a 36-16 win in Round 20 of the 2026 NRL Telstra Premiership. By full-time, what had shaped as an arm wrestle had become one of the home side’s most polished wins of the season.

It certainly didn’t begin that way.

Cowboys Fire The First Shot

Tom Dearden found space inside the opening five minutes and made the Dolphins pay. Jeremiah Nanai followed before the quarter-hour, and with Scott Drinkwater adding one conversion, the visitors had every reason to like the look of the afternoon at 10-0.

The Dolphins weren’t being outplayed. They were getting in their own way.

A dropped ball here, a missed opportunity there, and promising field position kept going to waste. Yet the longer the half wore on, the more possession they earned and the more time North Queensland spent defending inside its own 20.

When Jamayne Isaako finished a left-edge movement just after the half-hour mark, the mood around the ground shifted. Felise Kaufusi’s try before the break confirmed it. The Cowboys still looked dangerous, but the momentum no longer belonged to them.

The Pressure Finally Told

The Dolphins didn’t produce one defining moment after halftime. They produced dozens of small ones.

Sets were completed. Kicks found their mark. Carries through the middle became harder to stop. Defensively, they rarely gave North Queensland a cheap exit.

Eventually, all of it added up.

Isaako grabbed his second try only minutes into the second half before Tom Gilbert powered over, stretching the lead to 24-10. It looked significant at the time. It wasn’t decisive.

Scott Drinkwater’s try with just over 10 minutes remaining trimmed the margin to eight and briefly changed the mood again. One more Cowboys score and the contest would have been alive.

Instead, they barely saw enough football to build another genuine opportunity.

The Dolphins tightened their grip through the middle, forced North Queensland to keep tackling and, once fatigue began to creep in, the openings appeared almost at once.

Max Plath crashed over after another extended attacking set. Two minutes later, Connelly Lemuelu finished the job. Isaako’s sixth conversion completed a flawless afternoon from the tee, but by then the result had already been settled.

A Win Built Before The Final Minutes

The late tries grabbed the highlights.

The work that created them had started much earlier.

The Dolphins completed 39 of their 45 sets at 86 per cent, controlled 56 per cent of possession and finished with 1,864 running metres. They also broke the line 10 times and forced the Cowboys into 56 missed tackles, numbers that reflected the amount of football North Queensland had to absorb as the afternoon wore on.

Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow was at the centre of much of it, finishing with a game-high 234 running metres and repeatedly asking questions whenever he chimed into the backline.

Isaako’s afternoon was even harder to ignore. Two tries, six goals and 20 points told only part of the story. His composure under pressure, particularly during the period when the Cowboys were still within reach, ensured every opportunity became scoreboard pressure.

The final score suggested the Dolphins were comfortable.

Anyone who watched the first 70 minutes knows they had to earn every bit of it.

Match Details

2026 NRL Telstra Premiership – Round 20
Sunday, 19 July 2026
Venue: Kayo Stadium, Redcliffe

Dolphins 36 (Jamayne Isaako 2, Felise Kaufusi, Tom Gilbert, Max Plath, Connelly Lemuelu tries; Jamayne Isaako 6 goals) def. North Queensland Cowboys 16 (Tom Dearden, Jeremiah Nanai, Scott Drinkwater tries; Scott Drinkwater 2 goals)

Team Lists

Dolphins: Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Jamayne Isaako, Herbie Farnworth, Selwyn Cobbo, Tevita Naufahu, Kodi Nikorima, Bradley Schneider, Thomas Flegler, Jeremy Marshall-King, Francis Molo, Connelly Lemuelu, Kulikefu Finefeuiaki, Morgan Knowles.

Interchange: Kurt Donoghoe, Max Plath, Tom Gilbert, Felise Kaufusi.

North Queensland Cowboys: Scott Drinkwater, Braidon Burns, Zac Laybutt, Tom Chester, Murray Taulagi, Jaxon Purdue, Tom Dearden, Griffin Neame, Reed Mahoney, Jason Taumalolo, Heilum Luki, Jeremiah Nanai, Reuben Cotter.

Interchange: Soni Luke, Matthew Lodge, Coen Hess, Sam McIntyre.

Published 19-July-2026

Dolphins Run Riot In Townsville As Cowboys Crumble In 40-14 Defeat

The Dolphins delivered one of their most complete performances of the season on Saturday night, turning a tight contest into a commanding 40-14 victory over the Cowboys in Townsville. What had been a fiercely contested match at Queensland Country Bank Stadium was effectively blown apart after halftime, with Kristian Woolf’s side running away with the Round 14 encounter.

After taking a narrow 16-10 lead into halftime, the Dolphins elevated their game another level after the break. Guided superbly by Isaiya Katoa and backed by the finishing power of Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Selwyn Cobbo, the visitors piled on four second-half tries to pull away for an emphatic Round 14 win.

But once the Dolphins found their rhythm through Isaiya Katoa, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Selwyn Cobbo, the visitors surged clear, exposing North Queensland’s defensive frailties and leaving the home side searching for answers after conceding seven tries.

Dolphins Strike First

The Dolphins wasted little time taking control.

After early pressure and repeat possession, Selwyn Cobbo crossed in the sixth minute following a sharp attacking movement, with Jamayne Isaako converting for a 6-0 lead.

North Queensland responded through Murray Taulagi midway through the half. The winger finished a line break to narrow the gap to 6-4, although Jake Clifford’s conversion attempt drifted wide.

Momentum then swung firmly towards the Cowboys.

Tom Chester burst through for a try in the 20th minute and Clifford added the extras to put North Queensland ahead 10-6. At that stage the home crowd sensed an opportunity to build pressure on a Dolphins side that had struggled to hold possession during parts of the opening half hour.

Katoa Turns The Match

The Dolphins’ response was immediate and decisive.

Jamayne Isaako produced a line break and finished his own movement to level the scores before converting for a 12-10 lead.

Then, with halftime approaching, Isaiya Katoa delivered one of the defining moments of the contest. After sustained pressure and a Cowboys error close to their own line, the young halfback crossed in the 34th minute to extend the margin to 16-10.

While the scoreboard remained close, the momentum had clearly shifted.

Katoa’s influence continued to grow as the game wore on. His kicking game controlled territory, his composure settled the Dolphins whenever momentum threatened to swing, and he played a central role in many of the visitors’ best attacking moments.

Cowboys Briefly Threaten

Any hopes of a Cowboys comeback were reignited shortly after the break.

Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow struck first for the Dolphins in the 48th minute to push the margin to 22-10, but Chester answered with his second try of the night only four minutes later.

The conversion was missed, leaving the score at 22-14 and keeping North Queensland within touching distance.

For a brief period the contest remained alive.

Scott Drinkwater threatened with a line break and the Cowboys generated several attacking opportunities, but crucial handling errors and missed chances prevented them from applying sustained pressure.

Dolphins Finish Ruthlessly

The final quarter showcased just how dangerous this Dolphins side can be when their attack clicks into gear.

Kurt Donoghoe sliced through in the 67th minute after a line break to make it 28-14 before Cobbo grabbed his second try of the night just four minutes later.

With the Cowboys chasing points, the Dolphins continued to find space around the ruck and on the edges.

Thomas Flegler added the final blow with less than two minutes remaining, crashing over after breaking the line himself. Isaako’s sixth conversion from seven attempts completed the scoring and sealed the emphatic 26-point victory.

The final margin reflected the Dolphins’ superiority in the decisive moments. While both teams created opportunities throughout the night, the visitors converted theirs far more efficiently, finishing with seven tries to three and punishing almost every defensive lapse the Cowboys offered.

Key Performers

Selwyn Cobbo was outstanding against his former Queensland rivals, scoring twice and constantly threatening whenever he touched the ball.

Katoa controlled the match superbly, producing a try, setting the tempo through his kicking game and repeatedly turning the Cowboys around.

Isaako finished with a try and six conversions, while Tabuai-Fidow added another reminder of his game-breaking speed.

For North Queensland, Chester’s double and Taulagi’s early four-pointer provided the highlights on an otherwise difficult evening.

The result strengthens the Dolphins’ push up the ladder and provided another glimpse of the attacking firepower available to Kristian Woolf’s side when their key playmakers and outside backs combine. For the Cowboys, it was a frustrating night against a Dolphins team that finished strongly and rarely let up once momentum swung their way.

Published 6-June-2026

Dolphins Vs Bulldogs: Isaako Hat-Trick Sparks 44-12 Suncorp Stadium Blowout

The Dolphins looked shaky early at Suncorp Stadium on Thursday night. By full-time, they were running downhill and putting on a show.

Jamayne Isaako bagged a hat-trick, Kodi Nikorima returned with spark, and Jeremy Marshall-King marked his comeback with a try as the Dolphins stormed past the Bulldogs 44-12 in Round 10 of the 2026 NRL Telstra Premiership.

For a side that entered the clash riding momentum from last week’s win over Melbourne, this felt like another important step forward. Kristian Woolf’s men were clunky for stretches, but once their spine clicked into rhythm, Canterbury simply could not contain them.

The Bulldogs arrived desperate to steady their own season and briefly looked the sharper side. They controlled territory early, won the ruck battle and jumped to an 8-0 lead through Jaeman Salmon and a Stephen Crichton penalty goal.

At that point, the Dolphins were inviting pressure.

Thomas Flegler gave away penalties, handling errors hurt field position, and Canterbury repeatedly marched into attacking territory. But the Bulldogs failed to fully cash in, and the Dolphins only needed one clean strike to drag themselves back into the contest.

That moment came through Isaako.

The winger exploded down the sideline in the 21st minute after one of the Dolphins’ rare entries into Bulldogs territory. It was a reminder of the finishing power the Dolphins still possess when their backline gets quick ball.

Even after Stephen Crichton restored Canterbury’s buffer with a try midway through the half, the game was beginning to tilt.

The Middle Finally Started Winning

The Dolphins’ pack slowly ground its way back into the contest through the final 15 minutes of the first half.

Kodi Nikorima’s return after suspension immediately gave the attack more shape and tempo around the ruck, while Isaiya Katoa’s kicking game started pinning Canterbury in awkward spots.

Then Jacob Preston handed the Dolphins the opening they needed.

The Bulldogs forward was sent to the sin bin for a late tackle on Katoa in the 37th minute, and the Dolphins pounced almost immediately.

Selwyn Cobbo crossed first after Isaako turned a Bulldogs mistake into points, before Isaako grabbed his second try on the stroke of halftime after a slick cut-out ball from Nikorima.

Suddenly, despite being second-best for long stretches, the Dolphins headed into the sheds leading 14-12.

Katoa and Nikorima Took Control

The second half was played almost entirely on the Dolphins’ terms.

Katoa looked increasingly comfortable steering the side around the park, while Nikorima’s running game kept exposing tired Bulldogs defenders through the middle third.

Isaako completed his hat-trick five minutes after the restart, brushing through scrambling defenders after Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow helped create the overlap.

Then came another important moment for the Dolphins season.

Jeremy Marshall-King, making his first appearance of 2026 after recovering from the knee injury he suffered during pre-season, darted over from dummy-half after sustained pressure on the Bulldogs line.

His return noticeably sharpened the Dolphins around the ruck. The service was quicker, the middle attack tightened up, and suddenly the side looked far more balanced.

The Bulldogs could not slow it down.

Isaako soon turned provider, throwing a brilliant pass inside for Jack Bostock after threatening to score himself near the corner.

Moments later, Katoa produced one of the plays of the night. The young half froze defenders with a double-pump pass before sending Nikorima straight through untouched.

For Dolphins supporters, it was the clearest glimpse yet this season of how dangerous the side can look with its preferred spine finally back together.

Cobbo Finished It Off in Style

Cobbo’s second try late in the game summed up the Dolphins’ night after halftime.

The Bulldogs were tiring, the Dolphins were full of confidence, and Cobbo simply powered through Connor Tracey before sprinting away down the touchline.

By full-time, the Dolphins had piled on 30 unanswered second-half points while completely shutting Canterbury out after the break.

The final scoreline looked emphatic because it was.

After an error-riddled opening quarter, the Dolphins eventually played with speed, patience and control. The return of Marshall-King and Nikorima clearly lifted the side, while Isaako delivered one of his sharpest performances of the year.

And at Suncorp Stadium, in front of a crowd that sensed the momentum swing before the scoreboard fully reflected it, the Dolphins finally looked like a side beginning to find its attacking identity again.

Published 7-May-2026

Dolphins Overrun Storm 28–10 as Second-Half Surge Flips Suncorp Script

For the first 40 minutes, it felt like it was getting away from them — then the Dolphins flipped the script.

In Round 9 of the 2026 NRL Telstra Premiership at Suncorp Stadium on May 1, 2026, the Dolphins surged from a 10–4 halftime deficit to defeat the Storm 28–10 — a comeback built on resilience, field position, and a ruthless final stretch.

Storm Strike First — But Leave It There

Melbourne landed the early blows. Tyran Wishart opened the scoring inside 12 minutes, and Sualauvi Faalogo’s long-range try pushed the margin to 10–0.

The Dolphins were under pressure — errors creeping in, territory hard to find — but the damage on the scoreboard stayed limited.

That proved critical.

Selwyn Cobbo’s try on the left edge just before halftime cut it to 10–4, keeping the contest alive despite the Storm’s control.

Momentum Turns — Even With the Hammer in the Bin

The second half didn’t ease in.

Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow was sent to the sin bin early after a professional foul, a moment that could have swung the game further Melbourne’s way.

Instead, the Dolphins absorbed it.

Then they struck.

Jamayne Isaako finished a sharp movement in the 58th minute to level the scores at 10–10, capping a period where Isaiya Katoa and the Dolphins spine began to dictate tempo and field position.

Bostock Breaks It Open

The game flipped fast.

Jack Bostock surged through off a Max Plath break to give the Dolphins the lead, then backed it up minutes later with a second try off a well-weighted kick.

Melbourne’s errors and penalties mounted, while the Dolphins tightened their grip.

Isaako added a penalty goal to extend the margin, and from there, the result never looked in doubt.

Clinical Finish Seals It

Kulikefu Finefeuiaki powered over late to put a full stop on it, with Isaako’s conversion pushing the final score to 28–10.

Five tries to two. A second half owned.

The Dolphins didn’t just recover — they took control and closed it out with authority.

Composure, Then Control

This was a win built on patience.

They bent early but didn’t break on the scoreboard. They stayed close, handled the sin bin period, and then accelerated when the game opened up.

For Dolphins fans, it’s the kind of performance that signals growth — not just in attack, but in game management and belief.

Down early. Tested under pressure. Then dominant when it mattered.

And once they took the lead, they didn’t let it go.

Published 1-May-2026

Warriors Steal It Late, Edge Dolphins 20–18 in ANZAC Day Thriller

The Dolphins were in control — until they weren’t.

Leading by 12 and dictating the contest, they looked set to own ANZAC Day in Wellington. Instead, one second-half swing flipped everything, as the Warriors stormed home to snatch a 20–18 win in Round 8 of the 2026 NRL Telstra Premiership at Hnry Stadium.

It wasn’t a game the Dolphins were outplayed in.

It was a game they didn’t finish.

Fast start, then Dolphins take over

The Warriors struck first through Alofiana Khan-Pereira, but the Dolphins quickly took control — and did it decisively.

Herbie Farnworth got them on the board before Jamayne Isaako exploded into the game, scoring twice in quick succession and converting both to push the visitors out to an 18–6 lead.

They were winning the ruck, forcing errors, and turning pressure into points. At 18–6, it felt like control.

Warriors stay in the fight

The response came through persistence.

Dallin Watene-Zelezniak finished down the edge to cut the margin, before Khan-Pereira struck again — his second of the night — to bring it back to 18–14.

Two missed conversions kept the Dolphins ahead, but the momentum had shifted. The Warriors were finding metres, building pressure, and forcing the game back into a contest before halftime.

Second half stalls — then snaps

After a first half full of points, the second turned into a grind.

Errors, penalties, and broken sets slowed everything. Both sides had chances, neither could take them. The game sat at 18–14, waiting for someone to break it.

That moment came just after the hour.

The play that decided it

Taine Tuaupiki sliced through from close range in the 62nd minute — the only try of the second half, and the matchwinner.

But it wasn’t just the try.

In the same movement, Tom Flegler shot out of the line and collected Ali Leiataua high, knocking the centre out of the contest in an off-the-ball collision. Tuaupiki dummied to the contact and went through untouched.

The aftermath tipped the game.

Flegler was sent to the sin bin for the off-the-ball contact, leaving the Dolphins short at 18–18 just as the Warriors had broken through.

Boyd converted. 20–18.

Lead reclaimed. Momentum locked.

Final minutes: one shot, no finish

The Dolphins had their chances late.

Territory came. Pressure built. But composure didn’t.

Errors crept in, kicks didn’t land, and the final play fell to Isaako — a long-range two-point field goal attempt to steal it.

It missed. The Warriors closed it out.

The flip

This was a game the Dolphins let slip.

An 18–6 lead, control through the middle, and enough chances to extend. But the second-half stall, the sin bin, and one decisive defensive lapse flipped it.

For the Warriors, it was timing. They stayed within reach, struck once, and made it count.

Three straight wins, back near the top of the ladder, and a performance built on patience and timing — they didn’t need control, just the moment.

For the Dolphins, it’s the fine margin that hurts.

They built the lead, controlled long stretches, and had chances to shut it down. But the game turned on one sequence — and from there, they couldn’t land the finishing blow.

That’s the difference right now.

Not effort. Not structure. Execution when it matters.

Published 25-April-2026

The Great Escape at Suncorp: How the Hammer Dragged the Dolphins Back from the Brink

For fifty minutes the Dolphins looked gone.

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.

Dolphins vs Titans Round 2 NRL Match Statistics

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.

Published 15-March-2026

Redcliffe’s Rugby League Weekend: Dolphins Open NRL Season as Redcliffe Dolphins Launch Hostplus Cup

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.

NRL Round 1
Dolphins vs Rabbitohs preview →

Hostplus Cup Round 1
Redcliffe Dolphins vs Burleigh Bears preview →

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:

• Redcliffe overall win rate: 58% (150 wins from 259 games)
• Burleigh overall win rate: 62% (159 wins from 256 games)

Both enter the 2026 season as established QRL contenders.

The margin between them last September was two points — and the numbers suggest this contest may again come down to execution.

The Round One 17

Continuity defines Redcliffe’s opening lineup.

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)

Published 4-March-2026

NRL Round 1
Go back to Dolphins vs Rabbitohs preview →

Wylei Parker Signs Dolphins Junior Development Deal, Forging His Own Path Beyond Broncos Legend Dad

Corey Parker / Facebook

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.

Wylei Parker, newest member of the Redcliffe Dolphins — *Photo Credit: Corey Parker / Facebook*

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.

*Photo Credit: Aek Fisher / Google Maps*

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.

Published 08-February-2026. Updated 14-February-2026.

Dolphins Forced to Relocate as Floods Disrupt NRL Season

Photo Credit: Dolphins NRL

The Dolphins have been forced to abandon their base and relocate to Newcastle after their training facilities were left without power in the aftermath of ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred, throwing their preparations for their clash against the Knights in disarray. More than 112,000 homes and businesses are still without power and key sporting venues are still unusable.

The Dolphins had planned to travel to Newcastle later in the week but were compelled to leave two days early on Monday evening, 10 March. Their home ground, Kayo Stadium, and their Redcliffe training base were both rendered unplayable after days of relentless rain left the facilities waterlogged. Head coach Kristian Woolf was forced to cancel Monday’s training session, further impacting their build-up to Round 2.

Squad Faces Challenges After Key Injuries and Disruptions

Adding to their troubles, the Dolphins will be without back-rower Kulikefu Finefeuiaki, who failed his Head Injury Assessment (HIA) following a controversial incident against the Rabbitohs. The club also confirmed that Samoan international Connelly Lemuelu has suffered a fractured eye socket, ruling him out for up to four weeks. These setbacks test the depth of the squad, with key players already absent due to the relocation.

The crisis has also had an emotional toll, with three Dolphins players—Kodi Nikorima, Mark Nicholls, and Kenny Bromwich—opting to withdraw from the Rabbitohs game to remain with their families amid the natural disaster. Team officials have been working closely with the NRL to manage the disruptions and locate alternative training grounds.

Titans Also Affected as Gold Coast Training Base Submerged

The Dolphins are not the only Queensland club affected by the extreme weather. The Gold Coast Titans were also forced to flee, relocating to Sydney after their training grounds were left two metres underwater. The Titans will now prepare for their Sunday night clash against the Canterbury Bulldogs at Belmore Oval away from home, adding another layer of difficulty to their season opener.

Despite the upheaval, Titans CEO Steve Mitchell said the players remain focused on delivering a strong performance for their flood-affected community. He acknowledged that while the conditions were far from ideal, the team was determined to push through and represent the region with pride.

Broncos Escape Major Damage but Adjust Training Schedule

Meanwhile, the Brisbane Broncos avoided significant damage to their training facilities at Red Hill but were forced to adjust their training schedule. Players used the gym on Monday morning to allow the playing surface more time to dry. The club confirmed that they will fly to Canberra on Friday for their Saturday match as planned.

NRL Teams Rally as Queensland Battles Flooding

The widespread flooding has created major obstacles for Queensland’s NRL clubs, but the Dolphins and Titans are working around the clock to minimise disruptions and remain competitive.

Club officials have prioritised player welfare and safety, ensuring that families and staff are supported through the crisis.

With the Dolphins now settled in Newcastle and the Titans setting up in Sydney, both teams are adapting to their new surroundings and focusing on their upcoming matches despite the adversity. While logistical challenges and injuries have complicated preparations, players and coaches are committed to making the best of a difficult situation.

Published 12-March-2025