Best 17 in 2026

[257Matt]

Whist Fuller would be my fullback the below 4 players are first picked in any starting 13 at Dolphins.

 

[Red]

Whist Fuller would be my fullback the below 4 players are first picked in any starting 13 at Dolphins.

For anyone who blocks Spybook, aka facebook as I do, the 4 are Katoa, Donoghue. Hammer and Herbie.

Not sure how Hammer made that list. He had a good year but I think very far from our best. Herbie was outstanding, period. Donoghue was a model of being consistently good. Katoa had a field day when our forwards got on the front foot in games but struggled otherwise. Hammer wasn't any of those. Not more than good usually but also struggled like Katoa when forwards were getting beaten.

 

[257Matt]

For anyone who blocks Spybook, aka facebook as I do, the 4 are Katoa, Donoghue. Hammer and Herbie.

Not sure how Hammer made that list. He had a good year but I think very far from our best. Herbie was outstanding, period. Donoghue was a model of being consistently good. Katoa had a field day when our forwards got on the front foot in games but struggled otherwise. Hammer wasn't any of those. Not more than good usually but also struggled like Katoa when forwards were getting beaten.

Image wasn’t posted by RLPA on Facebook

 

[Red]

DOLPHINS​

1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
2. Jamayne Isaako
3. Jake Averillo
4. Herbie Farnworth
5. Selwyn Cobbo
6. Kodi Nikorima
7. Isaiya Katoa
   
   
8. Daniel Saifiti
9. Jeremy Marshall-King
10. Tom Flegler
11. Max Plath
12. Connelly Lemeulu
13. Tom Gilbert
    
    
14. Kurt Donoghoe
15. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki
16. Francis Molo
17. Morgan Knowles

Analysis: This line-up is absolutely stacked. Kristian Woolf has a mountain of players returning from injury ahead of the 2026 season, and has some mammoth selection decisions on his hands. Recruit Selwyn Cobbo and flyer Jack Bostock are set to battle it out for a spot on the wings in the first of many big calls, with the former Dally M Rookie of the Year returning from an ACL injury suffered in Round 16, so he could be touch and go to take the field to start the season. Elsewhere in the forwards, Daniel Saifiti, Tom Gilbert, Max Plath and most notably, Tom Flegler are all set to return into this starting side. Flegler has not taken the field since Round 5 of the 2024 season due to a nerve issue stemming from a shoulder injury. He revealed to News Corp he is eyeing a return in 2026 and that he is aiming to take the field in Round 1. “If you want to say (I’ve avoided retirement), you could. I’m going to go back and play, and you know what it’s like, anything can happen when we play,” he said. The raft of returning stars unseats the likes of Felise Kaufusi, Oryn Keeley and Ray Stone, while Josh Kerr, Aublix Tawha and Mark Nicholls (retirement) won’t be at the club. Morgan Knowles is also somewhat of an unknown, but Woolf clearly rates his English recruit and he could force his way onto the pine while Brad Schneider has also landed in Redcliffe.

---

This seems about right. Averillo is the safe option to start in the centres with Hammer at the back.

But Plath again in the backrow? No, surely not. Tried it and it failed miserably. Keeley was also piss poor in the second half of the season. While the fitness of Finefeuiaki and Lemuelu is questionable. Or at least their ability together through 80min like the best backrowers.

 

[Liverbird with Phins up]

1. Selwyn Cobbo
2. Jamayne Isaako
3. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
4. Herbie Farnworth
5. Jack Bostock
6. George Williams
7. Isaiya Katoa
   
   
8. Daniel Saifiti
9. Jeremy Marshall-King
10. Tom Flegler
11. Morgan Knowles
12. Tom Gilbert
13. Max Plath
14. Kurt Donoghoe
15. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki
16. Francis Molo
17. Connelly Lemuelu

I agree with Red mostly, just putting up something a bit different for discussion.

 

[mr_c]

really intrests me on one key area , leading into 2027 , with george coming , as got to think if kodi does stay past this season, with they play him 2026 at 6 or 14 i was listening , to them ( triple m talk last week and all them are picking of kodi did stay this year he be 14 n next year and onwards actually thought kodi may of been looked at at raiders but i see , black is now taken it, n i got another very bold prediction, they will look down selwyn long term n jaymane will go was having a high;y regarded ex broncos player last night , n was told by selwyn himself if he wanted to leave qld he would of by now , and i dont see him going back to broncos within the next 3 years ( look jow hard it was for us get marquee signings dont see perth pullin it off

 

[Equaliser]

1. Selwyn Cobbo
2. Jamayne Isaako
3. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
4. Herbie Farnworth
5. Jack Bostock
6. George Williams
7. Isaiya Katoa
   
   
8. Daniel Saifiti
9. Jeremy Marshall-King
10. Tom Flegler
11. Morgan Knowles
12. Tom Gilbert
13. Max Plath
14. Kurt Donoghoe
15. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki
16. Francis Molo
17. Connelly Lemuelu

I agree with Red mostly, just putting up something a bit different for discussion.

Cobbo seems a bit lazy for fullback to me.

 

[Dolph]

Way too early for this, but as I stare at Mt. Fuji, I've come up with this lineup.

1 Fuller
2 Cobbo
3 Hammer
4 Farnworth
5 Bostock
6 Nikorima
7 Katoa
8 Flegler
9 Plath
10 Saifiti
11 Finefeuiaki
12 Gilbert
13 Donoghoe
14 Molo
15 JMK
16 Lemuelu
17 Stone

18 Naufahu
19 Issako
20 Walsh
21 Averillo
22 Su'a
23 Keeley
24 Knowles
25 Kaufusi
26 Feagai
27 Schneider
28 Nonu

Who would be the goal kicker?

 

[Dolph]

1. Selwyn Cobbo
2. Jamayne Isaako
3. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
4. Herbie Farnworth
5. Jack Bostock
6. George Williams
7. Isaiya Katoa
   
   
8. Daniel Saifiti
9. Jeremy Marshall-King
10. Tom Flegler
11. Morgan Knowles
12. Tom Gilbert
13. Max Plath
14. Kurt Donoghoe
15. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki
16. Francis Molo
17. Connelly Lemuelu

I agree with Red mostly, just putting up something a bit different for discussion.

George Williams won't be on board until 2027 as far as I know. And don't think Tom Gilbert is suited to the backrow.

 

[Dolph]

DOLPHINS​

1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
2. Jamayne Isaako
3. Jake Averillo
4. Herbie Farnworth
5. Selwyn Cobbo
6. Kodi Nikorima
7. Isaiya Katoa
   
   
8. Daniel Saifiti
9. Jeremy Marshall-King
10. Tom Flegler
11. Max Plath
12. Connelly Lemeulu
13. Tom Gilbert
    
    
14. Kurt Donoghoe
15. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki
16. Francis Molo
17. Morgan Knowles

Analysis: This line-up is absolutely stacked. Kristian Woolf has a mountain of players returning from injury ahead of the 2026 season, and has some mammoth selection decisions on his hands. Recruit Selwyn Cobbo and flyer Jack Bostock are set to battle it out for a spot on the wings in the first of many big calls, with the former Dally M Rookie of the Year returning from an ACL injury suffered in Round 16, so he could be touch and go to take the field to start the season. Elsewhere in the forwards, Daniel Saifiti, Tom Gilbert, Max Plath and most notably, Tom Flegler are all set to return into this starting side. Flegler has not taken the field since Round 5 of the 2024 season due to a nerve issue stemming from a shoulder injury. He revealed to News Corp he is eyeing a return in 2026 and that he is aiming to take the field in Round 1. “If you want to say (I’ve avoided retirement), you could. I’m going to go back and play, and you know what it’s like, anything can happen when we play,” he said. The raft of returning stars unseats the likes of Felise Kaufusi, Oryn Keeley and Ray Stone, while Josh Kerr, Aublix Tawha and Mark Nicholls (retirement) won’t be at the club. Morgan Knowles is also somewhat of an unknown, but Woolf clearly rates his English recruit and he could force his way onto the pine while Brad Schneider has also landed in Redcliffe.

---

This seems about right. Averillo is the safe option to start in the centres with Hammer at the back.

But Plath again in the backrow? No, surely not. Tried it and it failed miserably. Keeley was also piss poor in the second half of the season. While the fitness of Finefeuiaki and Lemuelu is questionable. Or at least their ability together through 80min like the best backrowers.

No Kaufusi in the best 17 is a big call. Plus Kurt D didn't work out at hooker. Wayne tried to play him there without much success. Assuming the plan is to bring him on to give JMK a rest.

 

[mr_c]

No Kaufusi in the best 17 is a big call. Plus Kurt D didn't work out at hooker. Wayne tried to play him there without much success. Assuming the plan is to bring him on to give JMK a rest.

selwyn

 

[Liverbird with Phins up]

George Williams won't be on board until 2027 as far as I know. And don't think Tom Gilbert is suited to the backrow.

Bhahaha, thats why you should never listen to me. Completely forgot that.

 

[Liverbird with Phins up]

Cobbo seems a bit lazy for fullback to me.

Cobbo seems lazy in general. Reminds me of Latrell. People making excuses for him, lets be honest he is over weight and not fit enough. But thats just me.

Cobbo's best position is fullback i reckon, and has always looked his best at fullback. If Woolf can get him fit he will shine. I use to know someone that coached the Chiefs rugby team. And it was always hard to get certain cultures to train hard, and lot were naturally gifted and that talent carried them through, but if they had worked hard on fitness and training they would have been god like.

The rugby coach/my mate was maori btw. And that was his opinion.

 

[Equaliser]

Cobbo seems lazy in general. Reminds me of Latrell. People making excuses for him, lets be honest he is over weight and not fit enough. But thats just me.

Cobbo's best position is fullback i reckon, and has always looked his best at fullback. If Woolf can get him fit he will shine. I use to know someone that coached the Chiefs rugby team. And it was always hard to get certain cultures to train hard, and lot were naturally gifted and that talent carried them through, but if they had worked hard on fitness and training they would have been god like.

The rugby coach/my mate was maori btw. And that was his opinion.

He needs to come back next year a few kgs lighter.

 

[257Matt]

DOLPHINS​

1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
2. Jamayne Isaako
3. Jake Averillo
4. Herbie Farnworth
5. Selwyn Cobbo
6. Kodi Nikorima
7. Isaiya Katoa
   
   
8. Daniel Saifiti
9. Jeremy Marshall-King
10. Tom Flegler
11. Max Plath
12. Connelly Lemeulu
13. Tom Gilbert
    
    
14. Kurt Donoghoe
15. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki
16. Francis Molo
17. Morgan Knowles

Analysis: This line-up is absolutely stacked. Kristian Woolf has a mountain of players returning from injury ahead of the 2026 season, and has some mammoth selection decisions on his hands. Recruit Selwyn Cobbo and flyer Jack Bostock are set to battle it out for a spot on the wings in the first of many big calls, with the former Dally M Rookie of the Year returning from an ACL injury suffered in Round 16, so he could be touch and go to take the field to start the season. Elsewhere in the forwards, Daniel Saifiti, Tom Gilbert, Max Plath and most notably, Tom Flegler are all set to return into this starting side. Flegler has not taken the field since Round 5 of the 2024 season due to a nerve issue stemming from a shoulder injury. He revealed to News Corp he is eyeing a return in 2026 and that he is aiming to take the field in Round 1. “If you want to say (I’ve avoided retirement), you could. I’m going to go back and play, and you know what it’s like, anything can happen when we play,” he said. The raft of returning stars unseats the likes of Felise Kaufusi, Oryn Keeley and Ray Stone, while Josh Kerr, Aublix Tawha and Mark Nicholls (retirement) won’t be at the club. Morgan Knowles is also somewhat of an unknown, but Woolf clearly rates his English recruit and he could force his way onto the pine while Brad Schneider has also landed in Redcliffe.

---

This seems about right. Averillo is the safe option to start in the centres with Hammer at the back.

But Plath again in the backrow? No, surely not. Tried it and it failed miserably. Keeley was also piss poor in the second half of the season. While the fitness of Finefeuiaki and Lemuelu is questionable. Or at least their ability together through 80min like the best backrowers.

Keeley was not piss poor far from it. This is the only page that savages Keeley all the rest of the Dolphins pages support him.

 

[Gary]

Keeley was not piss poor far from it. This is the only page that savages Keeley all the rest of the Dolphins pages support him.

He was poor at the backend of the season, this was due to him being exposed to continuous game time extended minutes due to injuries etc . Good for experience and learning curve and overall development still relatively young and learning his trade will need a big pre season to force his way into the starting lineup.

 

[257Matt]

He was poor at the backend of the season, this was due to him being exposed to continuous game time extended minutes due to injuries etc . Good for experience and learning curve and overall development still relatively young and learning his trade will need a big pre season to force his way into the starting lineup.

He was outstanding in the wins against Cowboys & Warriors, the whole team dropped its bundle against Roosters & Manly without Herbie not just Keeley and the Broncos game had some great individual efforts namely Fuller. His minutes in those 3 games were down on his previous weeks if he was playing through injury we don't know and he played well in the final two games. Keeley played 16 games starting 14 in 2025 prior to this year he played 8 NRL games across 3 seasons. He more than likely won't be in the round 1 final 17 but once he gets his opportunity and it'll come as the same 17 won't play every game he'll make it hard to be relegated.

 

[Blockade]

Who would be the goal kicker?

Katoa, perhaps. I'm a fan of Isaako, but on a fit and firing backline, I don't think he secures a spot.

 

[Red]

Keeley was not piss poor far from it. This is the only page that savages Keeley all the rest of the Dolphins pages support him.

He was good in the first half of the year. Check his stats for the second half. Was really bad. Some games only running for 20-30m in a few games.That is just laughable for a backrower not injured. Or in the last round against Canberra, played 80 min, made 19 tackles and missed 5. Is it acceptable for a backrower to miss such a high % of attempted tackles? It's disgraceful!

But I know before all the big gun forwards were injured, Keeley was too. Was a good team effort. Without, he was poor.

 

[257Matt]

Katoa, perhaps. I'm a fan of Isaako, but on a fit and firing backline, I don't think he secures a spot.

Isaako has been a very durable performer and his goal kicking in 2025 was very elite. He'll be 30 next year which is veteran stage for a winger and the best emerging talent Dolphins have is in the outside backs especially Naufahu, Nonu and Walsh not to mention the likes of Herbie, Hammer, Averillo and Bostock are all 4 years or more younger.