The most of any club, Fox Sport rates 3 Dolphins players among the best 25 under 25s. Interestingly, Herbie Farnworth not rated even in honorable mentions. i.e. someone at Fox made a mistake not realising Herbie is 24. Stephen Crighton was ranked #1. Must be because he was their captain as well. No way would I swap him for Herbie.
19. ISAIYA KATOA (DOLPHINS) — 20
It is easy to forget that Isaiya Katoa is still just 20 and has been piloting an NRL team around for two seasons already, playing 22 games in each of his first two NRL campaigns.
Turning 21 during next season’s trials, Katoa has scored four tries in 44 games for the Dolphins, as well as two tries in nine Tests for Tonga.
The halfback prodigy recently inked a three-year extension that ties him to the Dolphins until the end of 2028 and he could be a 15-year player for the club by the time he is done.
Last season Katoa finished with 15 try assists, two tries, one linebreak and 16 tackle busts in 22 games for the Dolphins and capped his season leading Tonga to the Pacific Championships final.
18. MAX PLATH (DOLPHINS) — 23
Already being mentioned as a Maroons Origin bolter at 23, Dolphins back-rower Max Plath is is a star of the future.
Turning 24 on Grand Final day next year, Plath has scored five tries in 23 games for the Dolphins since his debut in 2023, including four in 21 games last season.
Plath’s meteoric rise has seen him start ahead of seasoned veterans at the Dolphins, which shows how highly regarded he is by Wayne Bennett.
Last season Plath ran for 1,442 metres to go with four tries, three try assists, 31 tackle busts and a team-high 855 tackles, which earned the workhorse forward the Dolphins’ Player of the Year award (The Arthur Beetson Medal).
5. HAMISO TABUAI-FIDOW (DOLPHINS) — 23
The man they call the Hammer could end up being the biggest recruitment flop in Cowboys history after they let him leave to join the Dolphins.
Turning 24 during next year’s finals series, Tabuai-Fidow has scored 51 tries in 86 NRL games for the Cowboys and Dolphins since his debut in 2020, while he also has nine tries in seven Origins for the Maroons and four tries in seven Tests for the Kangaroos and Samoa.
Tabuai-Fidow is equally adept at fullback and centre, but has the potential to be the best and most exciting No.1 in the NRL in coming seasons.
Last season Tabuai-Fidow scored a team high 15 tries to go with six try assists, 12 linebreaks and 74 tackle busts in just 16 games, so imagine what he would have done with a full season.