2025 Squad

[Chris]

DOLPHINS​

Analysis: Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow will be the fullback and Trai Fuller will add impressive depth when he returns from an ACL injury. Jamayne Isaako and rookie of the year Jack Bostock will get first crack on the wings, but former Tigers flyer Junior Tupou will be pushing them hard after signing a three-year deal. Jake Averillo and Herbie Farnworth will be the centre pairing with Max Feagai adding depth to the outside backs after switching from the Dragons on a two-year deal. Kodi Nikorima and Isaiya Katoa are expected to get first crack in the halves, with Sean O’Sullivan keeping them honest. Star recruit Daniel Saifiti is set to start in the front row and Thomas Flegler will partner him provided he can overcome a career-threatening shoulder injury. But with Jesse Bromwich retiring and Tevita Pangai Jr switching to Catalans Dragons, Mark Nicholls will likely start the season at prop. Jeremy Marshall-King is due back from a knee injury in the trials and will be the hooker. Felise Kaufusi and Tom Gilbert will be the second rowers when the latter returns from a knee injury. Max Plath looms as the likely starting No.13 and Ray Stone is the most likely utility, with Kulikefu Finefeuiaki set to join the bench rotation after switching from the Cowboys on a three-year deal but he’ll will push hard for a starting berth. Connelly Lemuelu and Kenny Bromwich round out the bench.

Best 17:

1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
2. Jamayne Isaako
3. Jake Averillo
4. Herbie Farnworth
5. Jack Bostock
6. Kodi Nikorima
7. Isaiya Katoa
8. Daniel Saifiti
9. Jeremy Marshall-King
10. Mark Nicholls
11. Felise Kaufusi
12. Tom Gilbert
13. Max Plath
    
    
14. Ray Stone
15. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki
16. Connelly Lemuelu
17. Kenny Bromwich

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This is according to Fox Sports. Not a big fan of their best 17 at all. I think Tupou gets into the backline, Averillo 5/8 and Kodi on the bench. Kaufusi's days on the edge are over. He'll be in the middle, maybe coming off the bench or starting. I think Gilbert at lock and Plath on the bench. Finefeuiaki and Lemuelu starting backrowers. I can't see Kenny B being in the 17 unless there are several injuries and/or suspensions.

 

[257Matt]

DOLPHINS​

Analysis: Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow will be the fullback and Trai Fuller will add impressive depth when he returns from an ACL injury. Jamayne Isaako and rookie of the year Jack Bostock will get first crack on the wings, but former Tigers flyer Junior Tupou will be pushing them hard after signing a three-year deal. Jake Averillo and Herbie Farnworth will be the centre pairing with Max Feagai adding depth to the outside backs after switching from the Dragons on a two-year deal. Kodi Nikorima and Isaiya Katoa are expected to get first crack in the halves, with Sean O’Sullivan keeping them honest. Star recruit Daniel Saifiti is set to start in the front row and Thomas Flegler will partner him provided he can overcome a career-threatening shoulder injury. But with Jesse Bromwich retiring and Tevita Pangai Jr switching to Catalans Dragons, Mark Nicholls will likely start the season at prop. Jeremy Marshall-King is due back from a knee injury in the trials and will be the hooker. Felise Kaufusi and Tom Gilbert will be the second rowers when the latter returns from a knee injury. Max Plath looms as the likely starting No.13 and Ray Stone is the most likely utility, with Kulikefu Finefeuiaki set to join the bench rotation after switching from the Cowboys on a three-year deal but he’ll will push hard for a starting berth. Connelly Lemuelu and Kenny Bromwich round out the bench.

Best 17:

1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
2. Jamayne Isaako
3. Jake Averillo
4. Herbie Farnworth
5. Jack Bostock
6. Kodi Nikorima
7. Isaiya Katoa
8. Daniel Saifiti
9. Jeremy Marshall-King
10. Mark Nicholls
11. Felise Kaufusi
12. Tom Gilbert
13. Max Plath
    
    
14. Ray Stone
15. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki
16. Connelly Lemuelu
17. Kenny Bromwich

---

This is according to Fox Sports. Not a big fan of their best 17 at all. I think Tupou gets into the backline, Averillo 5/8 and Kodi on the bench. Kaufusi's days on the edge are over. He'll be in the middle, maybe coming off the bench or starting. I think Gilbert at lock and Plath on the bench. Finefeuiaki and Lemuelu starting backrowers. I can't see Kenny B being in the 17 unless there are several injuries and/or suspensions.

Most of these articles from Fox Sports are written by interns with little league knowledge and most items by the newspapers or podcasts are those who don't follow the club. The only podcast or publications with any Dolphins leanings are Moreton Daily, Short Boys Podcast and Joel Gould AAP.

This is my best 17

Hammer
Isaako
Herbie
Bostock
Tupou
Averillo
Katoa
Saifiti
JMK
Kaufusi
Keeley (need new blood)
Gilbert
Plath

Donoghue
Nicholls
Finefeuiaki
Bromwich

I would have had Fuller in the 13 before Tupou if he wasn't injured

 

[Josh]

Most of these articles from Fox Sports are written by interns with little league knowledge and most items by the newspapers or podcasts are those who don't follow the club. The only podcast or publications with any Dolphins leanings are Moreton Daily, Short Boys Podcast and Joel Gould AAP.

This is my best 17

Hammer
Isaako
Herbie
Bostock
Tupou
Averillo
Katoa
Saifiti
JMK
Kaufusi
Keeley (need new blood)
Gilbert
Plath

Donoghue
Nicholls
Finefeuiaki
Bromwich

I would have had Fuller in the 13 before Tupou if he wasn't injured

I like that but swap Bostock and Tupou.

 

[257Matt]

I like that but swap Bostock and Tupou.

Tupou always been a winger

Bostock was a centre before he played NRL

 

[257Matt]

I don't rate Nikorima and Stone as high as others.

Kenny Bromwich is probably on his very last legs.

 

[Equaliser]

Most of these articles from Fox Sports are written by interns with little league knowledge and most items by the newspapers or podcasts are those who don't follow the club. The only podcast or publications with any Dolphins leanings are Moreton Daily, Short Boys Podcast and Joel Gould AAP.

This is my best 17

Hammer
Isaako
Herbie
Bostock
Tupou
Averillo
Katoa
Saifiti
JMK
Kaufusi
Keeley (need new blood)
Gilbert
Plath

Donoghue
Nicholls
Finefeuiaki
Bromwich

I would have had Fuller in the 13 before Tupou if he wasn't injured

Niko is a bit of a problem in the best 17 if Plath is on the bench. But I still think he'll be on the bench cause Plath can't play in the backs. Niko is the ultimate utility. Doubt. Donoghue makes it.

 

[Chris]

I don't rate Nikorima and Stone as high as others.

Kenny Bromwich is probably on his very last legs.

I think Kenny B is quite far down the order. He'll spend most of the year in Cup.

Stone and Gilbert in the 17 might be overkill but I think Wolff makes a spot for both.

 

[257Matt]

Niko is a bit of a problem in the best 17 if Plath is on the bench. But I still think he'll be on the bench cause Plath can't play in the backs. Niko is the ultimate utility. Doubt. Donoghue makes it.

I believe Donoghue is a better utility than Nikorima

Plath is a straight out 13 who can cover 9 at a pinch

Plath only played 9 due to JMK being injured, Graham was on & off injured plus struggled in QCup and Donoghue done a crazy brain explosion vs Dragons when as replacement dummy half for JMK that day.

Stone is only depth IMO not a top 17 player

 

[257Matt]

Tom Gilbert Interview

Gilbert: "It feels really nice to be back"

Dolphins fan-favourite Tom Gilbert talks about his slow return back to training with the NRL squad after a lengthy layoff with injury.

www.dolphinsnrl.com.au

 

[Chris]

I believe Donoghue is a better utility than Nikorima

Plath is a straight out 13 who can cover 9 at a pinch

Plath only played 9 due to JMK being injured, Graham was on & off injured plus struggled in QCup and Donoghue done a crazy brain explosion vs Dragons when as replacement dummy half for JMK that day.

Stone is only depth IMO not a top 17 player

Donoghue has had a few chances but didn't take it. Seems NRL is a bit above his level. He's a good QLD Cup player.

 

[257Matt]

Donoghue has had a few chances but didn't take it. Seems NRL is a bit above his level. He's a good QLD Cup player.

Max Plath on the Short Boys Podcast link posted elsewhere was asked who he think will be the break out player in 2025 and he didn't hesitate saying Donoghue and really made mention that Woolf is a massive believer in him.

 

[Chris]

Max Plath on the Short Boys Podcast link posted elsewhere was asked who he think will be the break out player in 2025 and he didn't hesitate saying Donoghue and really made mention that Woolf is a massive believer in him.

Interesting. We will see.