2025 Predictions.

[mr_c]

Media pundits are very negative in Dolphins chances next year. Several are predicting a bottom 4 finish.

i think its more the part and its true with all the coaches in first year most wont expect miracles along as we in the top have of the table or somewhere near it like this year i be happy

 

[Dolph]

I think the WB factor is coming into play here. Teams tend to struggle after he departs. A lot of times, he is the only bit of glue holding the place together eg. Newcastle, Brisbane (second time).

The Dolphins are different though. He built an expansion team from scratch and has had his successor helping him with the full knowledge that he would take over after two years. His successor has had a very successful career thus far and the players are already familiar with his style.

The Dolphins have a very good roster. Flegs and Trai will be sorely missed but even without them, they still look rather imposing. If they have any luck on the injury front, they will be very tough to beat IMO.

Anyways, it won't be long now. The footy season comes along really quickly once the new year arrives. I'm really looking forward to the upcoming campaign.

💯 Exactly as I would have stated. Just less eloquently.

 

[Dolph]

The Dolphins 2025: Best 17, every player’s contract status, rookie watch​

​

Free agency wrap and rating​

The Dolphins have had another solid year of recruiting, beefing up their squad with solid signings in Daniel Saifiti (Knights) and Kulikefu Finefeuiaki (Cowboys) while Junior Tupou (Tigers) is a promising prospect.

Off contract at the end of 2025​

Sean O’Sullivan: gone	Kenny Bromwich: retire
Jack Bostock: keep	Harrison Graham: gone
Felise Kaufusi: retire	Connelly Lemuelu: ??????
Josh Kerr: gone	Mark Nicholls: retire
Mason Teague: ?????

 

[Dolph]

Likely debutants​

The Dolphins have handed out a lot of NRL debuts in recent years but may not have too many in 2025. Backrower James Walsh is a promising prospect and Oryn Keeley should see more NRL time following his sensational performances for Norths in the lower grades. Ryan Jackson is another player waiting in the wings on the development list.

Who takes the next step​

If the Dolphins are going to play finals for the first time they need to take their game to a new level. They developed a reputation for being tough battlers under Bennett but more than that is needed to be a premiership contender. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow is one of the NRL’s most dangerous players, but needs to be more consistent. Isaiya Katoa is entering his third NRL season and should be dominating more games than not. The Dolphins would kill to have enforcers Tom Gilbert and Tom Flegler on the field too following a couple of bad years with injuries.

The three burning issues​

• The Bennett factor

Will Kristian Woolf become the latest Wayne Bennett disciple to fail?

• Tortured Toms

The Dolphins sorely missed their two top forwards last season in Tom Flegler and Tom Gilbert. Gilbert is on track to play an NRL game for the first time since 2023 but the future is more uncertain for Flegler, who won’t be seen until late in the season at best.

• Honeymoon period

Expectations on the Dolphins have been pretty low since they entered the NRL in 2023. They were given little time to assemble a squad and few gave them any hope of playing finals. That’s changed now.

 

[Blockade]

These two journos certainly don't think much of the Dolphins. What am I missing here? If this ends up true, it will be an absolute disaster for the club.

 

[Dolph]

View attachment 96
These two journos certainly don't think much of the Dolphins. What am I missing here? If this ends up true, it will be an absolute disaster for the club.

It's confusing for me as well. They seriously think that highly of WB and that lowly of Wolff?

 

[257Matt]

View attachment 96
These two journos certainly don't think much of the Dolphins. What am I missing here? If this ends up true, it will be an absolute disaster for the club.

I wouldn't pay attention to what journos say

 

[257Matt]

It's confusing for me as well. They seriously think that highly of WB and that lowly of Wolff?

The Sydney media oddly enough actually love Wayne Bennett.

McGuire and Ryles as new coaches to clubs are getting so much hype on the other hand Woolf has been written off.

What the Dolphins need is a player or two yet to make their NRL debuts to have breakout years.

 

[Equaliser]

The Sydney media oddly enough actually love Wayne Bennett.

McGuire and Ryles as new coaches to clubs are getting so much hype on the other hand Woolf has been written off.

What the Dolphins need is a player or two yet to make their NRL debuts to have breakout years.

If Katoa has a breakout year and we have a bit of luck with the lack on injuries in the forwards....... Katoa has been very good all things considered but need him to go up another level this year. Needs Gilbert to have a full season and need Flegler back in the second half of the year.

 

[Equaliser]

Players from every club under pressure to perform in 2025​

Dolphins​

2024: Thomas Flegler, N/A

A shoulder injury cruelled his season after just four games and now threatens his career. Flegler arrived as a marquee signing but it is unfair to judge given his serious injury.

2025: Tom Gilbert

Suffered a cruel blow when a knee reconstruction meant he did not play a minute of NRL action. That followed playing just 11 games in 2023. Gilbert is a crucial member of a Dolphins forward pack that needs to be rejuvenated, with the two-time Maroons representative set to spearhead that.

 

[Josh]

So little news coming out from the Dolphins compared to almost every other club. Melbourne and Penrith also very settled. I can only presume this is a good thing. Woolf is happy with the squad he has.

 

[257Matt]

So little news coming out from the Dolphins compared to almost every other club. Melbourne and Penrith also very settled. I can only presume this is a good thing. Woolf is happy with the squad he has.

I reckon you're correct look at the Broncos where Madge is ringing journos on a daily basis and jumping onto any radio show to tell the world of his plans. In Sydney it's always Bulldogs (my team) and Wests Tigers in the pre-season hype news. Bulldogs have Gould who posts daily on social media and a lot of former players on podcasts.

 

[Liverbird with Phins up]

So little news coming out from the Dolphins compared to almost every other club. Melbourne and Penrith also very settled. I can only presume this is a good thing. Woolf is happy with the squad he has.

It’s the way I like it.

Bennett never gave anything away.

 

[257Matt]

It’s the way I like it.

Bennett never gave anything away.

Souths CEO jumped on radio yesterday giving too much away

The media right now is too swept up in Bronco mania.

 

[Equaliser]

Souths CEO jumped on radio yesterday giving too much away

The media right now is too swept up in Bronco mania.

If they have another bad year...... the meltdown will be funny to watch.

Long season, no idea if Dolphins finish ahead of them but pretty confident we can and will beat them head to head.

 

[257Matt]

If they have another bad year...... the meltdown will be funny to watch.

Long season, no idea if Dolphins finish ahead of them but pretty confident we can and will beat them head to head.

We can see the NRL are setting Souths up for the fairytale story of 2025 with the feather duster approach to Mitchell

 

[mr_c]

I reckon you're correct look at the Broncos where Madge is ringing journos on a daily basis and jumping onto any radio show to tell the world of his plans. In Sydney it's always Bulldogs (my team) and Wests Tigers in the pre-season hype news. Bulldogs have Gould who posts daily on social media and a lot of former players on podcasts.

madge aint ringing journos heres a hint the person that does has been there prior to goat leaving

 

[midlands hobo]

I'm conflicted this year. If we get battered by injuries (Again) then it could be a shocking year and those bottom 4 predictions could well come true. Fuller being at 1 with Hammer in the centre I think really added something with Hammer at FB something is lost.

I'm going to say injury free same as last year. Playing for 8th but will likely come down to the final week of the season again.

I've decided on reflection that i have been hard on Bostock. Now he does make a lot of errors so i maintain my criticism is warranted, however i cannot deny he is definitely improving.

 

[Equaliser]

I'm conflicted this year. If we get battered by injuries (Again) then it could be a shocking year and those bottom 4 predictions could well come true. Fuller being at 1 with Hammer in the centre I think really added something with Hammer at FB something is lost.

I'm going to say injury free same as last year. Playing for 8th but will likely come down to the final week of the season again.

I've decided on reflection that i have been hard on Bostock. Now he does make a lot of errors so i maintain my criticism is warranted, however i cannot deny he is definitely improving.

We missed you. How are things in northern England? Who can we poach?

 

[midlands hobo]

We missed you. How are things in northern England? Who can we poach?

I'm not actually in the north I'm near Birmingham. Its hard to say who's in form as nobody has really had any game time yet.