2026 Squad

[Red]

that was a error i made

As the link you provided shows, the club upgraded him to a train and trial deal so they obviously rate him.

 

[mr_c]

As the link you provided shows, the club upgraded him to a train and trial deal so they obviously rate him.

just because theuy up grade him doesnt mean they stay on, wait n see if he gets a nrl upgrade contract

 

[Red]

just because theuy up grade him doesnt mean they stay on, wait n see if he gets a nrl upgrade contract

It won't be for another at least. It's not uncommon for a player to be on a development deal for 2 years. Though I don't think more than that.

 

[257Matt]

It won't be for another at least. It's not uncommon for a player to be on a development deal for 2 years. Though I don't think more than that.

Hi Red you are correct and players can change between deals. 3 examples just at Dolphins:

Kurt Donoghoe went from Capras deal with a train & trial to Top 30 in 2023, back to Development in 2024, Top 30 for 2025 and extended Top 30 for 2026-27.

Max Plath's original deal was Top 30 for remainder of 2023, Development 2024 and Top 30 2025 but his deal changed end of 2023 to include 2024 and 2026 as Top 30 and twice extended since to end of 2028.

Ryan Jackson was promoted to development in early 2023 after Development players Bostock and Graham got promoted from Development to Top 30 before Round 1 and was on a Development deal for more than 2 seasons.

As for John Fineanganofo the club announced late in July that Tevita Naufahu has been promoted to Top 30 & signed to Top 30 until end of 2027, LJ Nonu has been promoted to Development for remainder of 2025 & promoted to Top 30 for 2026-27 and Fineanganofo promoted to Development for 2026 & signed to Top 30 for 2027.

Fineanganofo was selected in the 22 for Team List Tuesday twice towards the end of the season so the club obviously rates him and by that stage went ahead of Harrison Graham in the pecking order. Graham played pretty well in his 5 games one of them vs Cowboys he shared the role with JMK and probably was the better performed of the two on the night. Fineanganofo is 4 years younger than Graham and covers multiple roles.

If you remember watching Isaac Luke ex Souths & Kiwis player Fineanganofo is very much the same build & style. He's equally home at hooker, 5/8 & lock and I can see him taking on a bench role when both Donoghoe and Plath are both in starting positions over the next 12 months or there are some inevitable injuries and suspensions which unfortunately JMK is very prone to some kind of injury or knock.

Here's the Naufahu, Nonu & Fineanganofo article:

Dolphins upgrade young trio

The Dolphins' Academy and development pathways are once again delivering emerging talent, with exciting young trio Tevita Naufahu, LJ Nonu and John Fineanganofo all earning contract upgrades and extensions through to 2027.

www.dolphinsnrl.com.au

 

[Red]

Hi Red you are correct and players can change between deals. 3 examples just at Dolphins:

Kurt Donoghoe went from Capras deal with a train & trial to Top 30 in 2023, back to Development in 2024, Top 30 for 2025 and extended Top 30 for 2026-27.

Max Plath's original deal was Top 30 for remainder of 2023, Development 2024 and Top 30 2025 but his deal changed end of 2023 to include 2024 and 2026 as Top 30 and twice extended since to end of 2028.

Ryan Jackson was promoted to development in early 2023 after Development players Bostock and Graham got promoted from Development to Top 30 before Round 1 and was on a Development deal for more than 2 seasons.

As for John Fineanganofo the club announced late in July that Tevita Naufahu has been promoted to Top 30 & signed to Top 30 until end of 2027, LJ Nonu has been promoted to Development for remainder of 2025 & promoted to Top 30 for 2026-27 and Fineanganofo promoted to Development for 2026 & signed to Top 30 for 2027.

Fineanganofo was selected in the 22 for Team List Tuesday twice towards the end of the season so the club obviously rates him and by that stage went ahead of Harrison Graham in the pecking order. Graham played pretty well in his 5 games one of them vs Cowboys he shared the role with JMK and probably was the better performed of the two on the night. Fineanganofo is 4 years younger than Graham and covers multiple roles.

If you remember watching Isaac Luke ex Souths & Kiwis player Fineanganofo is very much the same build & style. He's equally home at hooker, 5/8 & lock and I can see him taking on a bench role when both Donoghoe and Plath are both in starting positions over the next 12 months or there are some inevitable injuries and suspensions which unfortunately JMK is very prone to some kind of injury or knock.

Here's the Naufahu, Nonu & Fineanganofo article:

Dolphins upgrade young trio

The Dolphins' Academy and development pathways are once again delivering emerging talent, with exciting young trio Tevita Naufahu, LJ Nonu and John Fineanganofo all earning contract upgrades and extensions through to 2027.

www.dolphinsnrl.com.au

I remember Isaac Luke. Probably played on 2 seasons too long but was a gun in his prime. In a golden age for #9s.

 

[257Matt]

I remember Isaac Luke. Probably played on 2 seasons too long but was a gun in his prime. In a golden age for #9s.

His Souths years were prime a very good player. Fineanganofo is a very similar style player and covers 3 positions he was very good for Capras this year and rewarded with upgraded extensions at Dolphins including Top 30 in 2027.

 

[Dolph]

I remember Isaac Luke. Probably played on 2 seasons too long but was a gun in his prime. In a golden age for #9s.

1. Cam Smith
2. Josh Hogson
3. Robbie Farah
4. Isaac Luke
5. Michael Ennis
6. Macca

Who else? I always thought Ennis was very overrated but so was Macca.

 

[Equaliser]

1. Cam Smith
2. Josh Hogson
3. Robbie Farah
4. Isaac Luke
5. Michael Ennis
6. Macca

Who else? I always thought Ennis was very overrated but so was Macca.

• Danny Buderus was considered one of the best ever until Smithy came along.

 

[mr_c]

wing be right up there too especailly his hard hitting

 

[BingusMagee]

Lets see how late i am to the party, i noticed the signing tracker on the official website has been updated to the 2026 signings:

Dolphins Signings Tracker

The dev list looks to be:

• Lewis Symonds
• John Fineanganofo
• Zac Garton
• Nixon Pasese
• Charlie Dickson
• Patrick Kailahi
• Carter Ford
• Dyer Akauola

I thought we could only have 6 dev contracts so i wonder if its been modified for next season. Another thing to note is that 29/30 top 30 is on the website and Reader said our top 30 is complete so i wonder who that last player is

 

[mr_c]

great see carl webbs step son there carter shame we lost couple to other clubs i thought would been there thought Baylen Donald/ and noah fien would be there


you can have more if upgraded to nrl contracts lewis n lj would be out of the delopment then but that wont be done till latter


there be atleast 4 delopment players arealy 4 2027

 

[Equaliser]

Dolphins​

The Dolphins are still chasing their first finals appearance.

Last season: Ninth. Gains: Selwyn Cobbo (Broncos), Brad Schneider (Panthers), Morgan Knowles (St Helens). Losses: Ken Bromwich (retired), Mark Nicholls (retired), Josh Kerr (Dragons), Aublix Tahwa (Broncos).

The big question: Will Thomas Flegler play again? The former Queensland and Kangaroos enforcer has been sidelined since April, 2024, after suffering nerve damage in his shoulder. He remains confident of making a comeback. The return of Daniel Saifiti (shoulder) and Tom Gilbert (pectoral) will further boost the Dolphins’ hopes of making the finals for the first time.

 

[257Matt]

Lets see how late i am to the party, i noticed the signing tracker on the official website has been updated to the 2026 signings:

Dolphins Signings Tracker

The dev list looks to be:

• Lewis Symonds
• John Fineanganofo
• Zac Garton
• Nixon Pasese
• Charlie Dickson
• Patrick Kailahi
• Carter Ford
• Dyer Akauola

I thought we could only have 6 dev contracts so i wonder if its been modified for next season. Another thing to note is that 29/30 top 30 is on the website and Reader said our top 30 is complete so i wonder who that last player is

Good to see James Walsh still at Dolphins

 

[Liverbird with Phins up]

Dolphins​

The Dolphins are still chasing their first finals appearance.

Last season: Ninth. Gains: Selwyn Cobbo (Broncos), Brad Schneider (Panthers), Morgan Knowles (St Helens). Losses: Ken Bromwich (retired), Mark Nicholls (retired), Josh Kerr (Dragons), Aublix Tahwa (Broncos).

The big question: Will Thomas Flegler play again? The former Queensland and Kangaroos enforcer has been sidelined since April, 2024, after suffering nerve damage in his shoulder. He remains confident of making a comeback. The return of Daniel Saifiti (shoulder) and Tom Gilbert (pectoral) will further boost the Dolphins’ hopes of making the finals for the first time.

Saw Flegler at the pub the other day. Looks ready to go.

 

[Gary]

Saw Flegler at the pub the other day. Looks ready to go.

Great news

 

[Equaliser]

Saw Flegler at the pub the other day. Looks ready to go.

Good news though drinking beers is a bit less strenuous than first grade. But he said he'll definitely be back from round 1. I guess ease back in via QLD Cup.

 

[mr_c]

Good news though drinking beers is a bit less strenuous than first grade. But he said he'll definitely be back from round 1. I guess ease back in via QLD Cup.

from what i heard hes going see how he goes in the trails

 

[Equaliser]

from what i heard hes going see how he goes in the trails

Would seem obvious. Play 20 min in the first trial, a bit longer in the second then 2 or 3 games for Redcliffe and then if everything is fine, back into the NRL.

 

[mr_c]

Would seem obvious. Play 20 min in the first trial, a bit longer in the second then 2 or 3 games for Redcliffe and then if everything is fine, back into the NRL.

nah from what i heard there be no time in cup ( he said early in the year hes adamant that he be there for round one in the 17 )

 

[Equaliser]

nah from what i heard there be no time in cup ( he said early in the year hes adamant that he be there for round one in the 17 )

Hope so.