Recruitment and retention

Red said:

No one is going to have more than 2 or 3 pre-season games because there are only 2 or 3 pre-season games. To be precise, there are 3. 1 which is basically a warm up for the B team against Broncos or Gold Coast B team and 2 pre-season challenge games.

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Gary said:

We would surely be due some kind of luck on the injury front.

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Blockade said:

Rugby League doesn't work that way, unfortunately. It's front on physicality ensures that there is always a significant injury toll across the board. Look at Flegler's ailment. An innocuous tackle that still could be career defining.

But, I'd like to think the Dolphins will have better luck in the future, but like I said, there are no guarantees. But, with every year that passes, the Dolphins build a roster that is able to somewhat cope with an injury crisis.

To finish 12-12 (9th) with the best offense (9th overall in history) in the comp is an amazing accomplishment. All the while having the entire forward pack wiped out along with two very important and key outside backs. Nobody seems to mention this. The third year Dolphins had no business sniffing around the top 8 with their casualty list. But they did more than sniff. They were absolutely devastating at times.

I've said it many times before, but if the Dolphins keep their key personnel on the park for the majority of the time in 2026, they will be a force to be reckoned with. They could even win it all and that isn't over exaggerating. Those of us who follow the team really closely are all aware of their capabilities. It will be interesting to see what the so called experts predict in March as far as ladder placing goes. I doubt that they'll be spoon favourites this time around.

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Blockade said:

Rugby League doesn't work that way, unfortunately. It's front on physicality ensures that there is always a significant injury toll across the board. Look at Flegler's ailment. An innocuous tackle that still could be career defining.

But, I'd like to think the Dolphins will have better luck in the future, but like I said, there are no guarantees. But, with every year that passes, the Dolphins build a roster that is able to somewhat cope with an injury crisis.

To finish 12-12 (9th) with the best offense (9th overall in history) in the comp is an amazing accomplishment. All the while having the entire forward pack wiped out along with two very important and key outside backs. Nobody seems to mention this. The third year Dolphins had no business sniffing around the top 8 with their casualty list. But they did more than sniff. They were absolutely devastating at times.

I've said it many times before, but if the Dolphins keep their key personnel on the park for the majority of the time in 2026, they will be a force to be reckoned with. They could even win it all and that isn't over exaggerating. Those of us who follow the team really closely are all aware of their capabilities. It will be interesting to see what the so called experts predict in March as far as ladder placing goes. I doubt that they'll be spoon favourites this time around.

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Blockade

257Matt said:

Good summary Blockade

I think when predictions come around Brisbane will be 9/10 peoples choice for back to back I’m one who thinks they can go past what Penrith achieved with Madge as coach, crazy player talent and unlimited third parties they won’t bleed big names like Penrith have done.

Melbourne, Penrith and Roosters will round out most pundits likely top 4. Cronulla will be in every top 8, Canterbury in 95% of top 8s and Canberra in over 80%. The pundits will have 8th as a shootout between Warriors, Eels, Manly and Dolphins with Sourhs an outside chance.

Whilst I think it’s 1 new side in and 1 side out of the 8 the law of averages says there’s always 2 changes to the 8. This year had 3 with Brisbane, Canberra and Warriors in all sides who made in 2023 and out were Manly, Newcastle and Cowboys.

Other than Warriors any of the top 8 sides in any damger? I think Storm, Bulldogs and Raiders have end of season issues that may either inspire them or haunt them in 2026.

Dolphins have a lot of positives on their side but a few things they need better fortunes in. The front row quality & depth falls away after Flegler, Saifiti, Molo & Kaufusi, Katoa is irreplaceable and Herbie is irreplaceable despite excellent depth outwide. Herbie showed how important r he is to the club when he was out. Dolphins have excellent depth coverage in all other positions bar prop & halfback.

They need to reach Broncos levels of fitness & training what Madge done was a coaching masterclass and they need to sort out their defence. Ben Teo was a savage loss to the club and incredible gain for the Broncos. Dolphins have to fix up their defensive systems and coaching. With Katoa, Herbie, Hammer, Averillo, Fuller, JMK etc they’ll have no issues scoring points it’s stoping them, controlling field position and concentrating for the full 80 the issues all fixable.

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Herbie Farnworth signs 1 year extension with Dolphins as club staves off Perth Bears, R360​

In a huge boost for the Dolphins, Herbie Farnworth has inked a contract extension in Redcliffe, with the club staving off poaching threats from the Perth Bears and R360 revolution to retain the English star.​

Red said:

Herbie Farnworth signs 1 year extension with Dolphins as club staves off Perth Bears, R360​

In a huge boost for the Dolphins, Herbie Farnworth has inked a contract extension in Redcliffe, with the club staving off poaching threats from the Perth Bears and R360 revolution to retain the English star.​

Only 1 year but still, a good result.

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Gary said:

Herbie re signs end of 27

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Red said:

Herbie Farnworth signs 1 year extension with Dolphins as club staves off Perth Bears, R360​

In a huge boost for the Dolphins, Herbie Farnworth has inked a contract extension in Redcliffe, with the club staving off poaching threats from the Perth Bears and R360 revolution to retain the English star.​

Only 1 year but still, a good result.

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Blockade said:

Albert Hopoate set to join the Dolphins in 2026.

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Blockade said:

lol, you can squash this minor rumour. He has signed with Warrington.

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