I'm full on backing the Devils as I am with the Capras so I very well know lol
Promising Juniors
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mr_c
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obviously of you had to ask the question
No it was a comment saying I thought he moved to Norths as you see it's listed as Norths Devils SWC Club & Dolphins as NRL club.
But always good for your ego to try and create an argument hahahahaha
mr_c
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lol yes but nrl side they under is phins
NRL Dolphins player Eli McKay’s meteoric rise through league ranks
The book of Eli: Evolution of a teenage footy sensation
www.foxsports.com.au
Central Queensland’s Eli McKay has compiled an enviable list of accomplishments in his short rugby league career.
Just days after being named in the Queensland under-19 emerging squad, he suited up for the Dolphins in their pre-season trial game against the CQ Capras in Gladstone on Saturday.
It’s been a meteoric rise for the modest, multi-talented athlete who only played his first game of footy at age 15 and will celebrate his 18th birthday on Tuesday.
Source: The Quest (News Limited/Courier Mail)
Bold prediction: Here's 20 players we think were most likely to play in the NRL from the six teams left in Meninga Cup premiership contention📰🔥🏉 https://bit.ly/3EEsqNi
Charlie Dickson (Dolphins, Norths)
Charlie Dickson joined Zane Harrison, mentioned above, as a joint medal winner of the 2024 Justin Hodges Medal which recognised the best player in the Langer Trophy schoolboy rugby league competition.
Why? Because Wavell SHS alumni Dickson was the best forward in the competition by a mile.
A No.13, Dickson was one of the Dolphins’ first academy signings.
He is strong, very strong, with a high tackle efficiency and an ability to win contact and land on his stomach, leading to quick ruck possession for his dummyhalf.
He also has a late hit-and-spin in contact which is potent near the tryline.
Dickson also possesses a nice passing game and runs with power and direction.
Zac Garton (Dolphins, Redcliffe)
Originally a Gympie product, Garton arrived at Caloundra SHS via Nambour where he has been the school’s No.1 player.
The 2024 Australian schoolboy second rower is the type of player and person capable of playing NRL.
You can just imagine Garton watching and listening intently during off-season training sessions alongside season NRL forwards such as the Bromwich boys, Mark Nicholls, Tom Gilbert and Jarrod Wallace before he retired from the NRL.
Garton has been an edge-forward monster for years, plying his trade in Redcliffe’s finals-bound Meninga Cup team.
Adaquix-Jeramiah Watts-Luke (Dolphins, Norths)
Watts-Luke is a wildcard talent not unlike Saxon Innes who is featured earlier in the story.
The son of New Zealand Test great and NRL champion Issac Luke, Watts-Luke is his own man making a mark as a fleet-footed fullback.
Similar to Innes, he is lean but explosive - all the while having footy street smarts about him.
Cody Starr (Dolphins, Redcliffe)
Tall and athletic, Starr is an exciting prop-forward prospect.
In age group rugby league, Starr’s point of difference has been his ability to drive forward in contact, land on his front and play the ball quickly.
Because he has a height advantage in junior football, the athletic Starr has a natural advantage over his peers, and he looks the goods at this stage.
He is another with an NRL/ARL bloodline. His dad Adam played for Balmain Tigers and Roosters.
Brian Pouniu (Dolphins, Redcliffe)
A boom junior, the North Lakes Kangaroos’ product continues to impress this season in the Meninga Cup.
He plays as a second rower where his shadow looms large in the defensive line. All the while, he is a damaging runner who can step and unload with ease.
The St Eugene College school captain has had to display tremendous mental strength in recent years after his brother Joseph broke his neck. Brian plays with Joseph at the forefront of his mind.
Jairus Halahala (Dolphins, Redcliffe)
Mobile for a big man, Halalaha is a power middle forward, but his agility and leg drive in contact has long made him an outstanding player in age group rugby league.
He missed a lot of football this season due to personal reasons, but he made a huge comeback in this week’s Langer Trophy qualifying game.
Carter Ford (Dolphins, Redcliffe)
Another player with outstanding rugby league pedigree - his father is the late Carl Webb, a Queensland Origin hero - Ford is a rugged middle forward who knows his way around the footy field.
Recruited by the Dolphins from St Brendan’s College, Yeppoon, the mobile Ford is known for his post contact metres.
Signed by the Dolphins, the Redcliffe SHS student impresses most with his late footwork at the line.
Braelan Marsh (Dolphins, Redcliffe)
Like Ford, Marsh hails from CQ country and like Ford, is a St Brendan’s old boy with a famous family link - his dad PJ was a Queensland State of Origin series winning player.
A hooker, Marsh has been elite this season with his ability to take advantage of momentum generated by his forwards.
He is also smart around the ruck, and will often have his feet planted in one direction, only to alter his balance at the last minute and fire off quality ball to his halve standing in the opposition direction.
Kilarney Lavender (Dolphins, Burleigh)
Here’s an exciting prospect.
The Burleigh Bears bulldozer from The Southport School is an imposing edge forward whose athletic ability and strength made him an essential project player for any NRL club.
The Dolphins will be pleased to have him signed at this stage in his career.
Still in Year 12, Lavender has been on a tear since tearing his ACL back in 2022, representing the Queensland Reds under-16s, Burleigh under-17s and under-19s and even the Dolphins in their pre-season bout with the Capras.
Also named in that pre-season squad was Pouniu, Elijah McKay, Dickson, Rasmussen and Garton.
Elijah McKay (Dolphins, Redcliffe)
Tall, athletic and freakish at times.
The long-striding outside back can cover a variety of positions and has been on a steep upward trajectory over the past 18 months.
A Queensland Schoolboys select from Rockhampton, McKay was named in the NRL Dolphins pre-season clash with the Capras and is an aerial threat.
Nate Berrigan (Dolphins, Redcliffe)
A No.13 utility, Berrigan had his 2025 season disrupted by injury but remains an excellent prospect.
The son of former NRL hooker Barry and the nephew of ex-Queensland player Shaun, Berrigan’s strength is his speed around the ruck both in defence and also with his scurrying runs.
Dyer Akauola (Dolphins, Norths)
Akauola is an exciting middle forward who is young for the U19 age group. and while he missed the 2025 season through injury, his 2024 campaign was more than enough for him to get a run here.
A Brisbane Grammar School student from the Norths’ Devils junior catchment, he is a mobile, powerful middle forward who is damaging in contact and imposing in defence.
Watch this space as Akauola, also a sensational rugby No.8, gathers more experience and becomes physically conditioned.
NOTE: Capras didn't make final 4.
Bold prediction: Here's 20 players we think were most likely to play in the NRL from the six teams left in Meninga Cup premiership contention📰🔥🏉 https://bit.ly/3EEsqNi
Charlie Dickson (Dolphins, Norths)
Charlie Dickson joined Zane Harrison, mentioned above, as a joint medal winner of the 2024 Justin Hodges Medal which recognised the best player in the Langer Trophy schoolboy rugby league competition.
Why? Because Wavell SHS alumni Dickson was the best forward in the competition by a mile.
A No.13, Dickson was one of the Dolphins’ first academy signings.
He is strong, very strong, with a high tackle efficiency and an ability to win contact and land on his stomach, leading to quick ruck possession for his dummyhalf.
He also has a late hit-and-spin in contact which is potent near the tryline.
Dickson also possesses a nice passing game and runs with power and direction.
Zac Garton (Dolphins, Redcliffe)
Originally a Gympie product, Garton arrived at Caloundra SHS via Nambour where he has been the school’s No.1 player.
The 2024 Australian schoolboy second rower is the type of player and person capable of playing NRL.
You can just imagine Garton watching and listening intently during off-season training sessions alongside season NRL forwards such as the Bromwich boys, Mark Nicholls, Tom Gilbert and Jarrod Wallace before he retired from the NRL.
Garton has been an edge-forward monster for years, plying his trade in Redcliffe’s finals-bound Meninga Cup team.
Adaquix-Jeramiah Watts-Luke (Dolphins, Norths)
Watts-Luke is a wildcard talent not unlike Saxon Innes who is featured earlier in the story.
The son of New Zealand Test great and NRL champion Issac Luke, Watts-Luke is his own man making a mark as a fleet-footed fullback.
Similar to Innes, he is lean but explosive - all the while having footy street smarts about him.
Cody Starr (Dolphins, Redcliffe)
Tall and athletic, Starr is an exciting prop-forward prospect.
In age group rugby league, Starr’s point of difference has been his ability to drive forward in contact, land on his front and play the ball quickly.
Because he has a height advantage in junior football, the athletic Starr has a natural advantage over his peers, and he looks the goods at this stage.
He is another with an NRL/ARL bloodline. His dad Adam played for Balmain Tigers and Roosters.
Brian Pouniu (Dolphins, Redcliffe)
A boom junior, the North Lakes Kangaroos’ product continues to impress this season in the Meninga Cup.
He plays as a second rower where his shadow looms large in the defensive line. All the while, he is a damaging runner who can step and unload with ease.
The St Eugene College school captain has had to display tremendous mental strength in recent years after his brother Joseph broke his neck. Brian plays with Joseph at the forefront of his mind.
Jairus Halahala (Dolphins, Redcliffe)
Mobile for a big man, Halalaha is a power middle forward, but his agility and leg drive in contact has long made him an outstanding player in age group rugby league.
He missed a lot of football this season due to personal reasons, but he made a huge comeback in this week’s Langer Trophy qualifying game.
Carter Ford (Dolphins, Redcliffe)
Another player with outstanding rugby league pedigree - his father is the late Carl Webb, a Queensland Origin hero - Ford is a rugged middle forward who knows his way around the footy field.
Recruited by the Dolphins from St Brendan’s College, Yeppoon, the mobile Ford is known for his post contact metres.
Signed by the Dolphins, the Redcliffe SHS student impresses most with his late footwork at the line.
Braelan Marsh (Dolphins, Redcliffe)
Like Ford, Marsh hails from CQ country and like Ford, is a St Brendan’s old boy with a famous family link - his dad PJ was a Queensland State of Origin series winning player.
A hooker, Marsh has been elite this season with his ability to take advantage of momentum generated by his forwards.
He is also smart around the ruck, and will often have his feet planted in one direction, only to alter his balance at the last minute and fire off quality ball to his halve standing in the opposition direction.
Kilarney Lavender (Dolphins, Burleigh)
Here’s an exciting prospect.
The Burleigh Bears bulldozer from The Southport School is an imposing edge forward whose athletic ability and strength made him an essential project player for any NRL club.
The Dolphins will be pleased to have him signed at this stage in his career.
Still in Year 12, Lavender has been on a tear since tearing his ACL back in 2022, representing the Queensland Reds under-16s, Burleigh under-17s and under-19s and even the Dolphins in their pre-season bout with the Capras.
Also named in that pre-season squad was Pouniu, Elijah McKay, Dickson, Rasmussen and Garton.
Elijah McKay (Dolphins, Redcliffe)
Tall, athletic and freakish at times.
The long-striding outside back can cover a variety of positions and has been on a steep upward trajectory over the past 18 months.
A Queensland Schoolboys select from Rockhampton, McKay was named in the NRL Dolphins pre-season clash with the Capras and is an aerial threat.
Nate Berrigan (Dolphins, Redcliffe)
A No.13 utility, Berrigan had his 2025 season disrupted by injury but remains an excellent prospect.
The son of former NRL hooker Barry and the nephew of ex-Queensland player Shaun, Berrigan’s strength is his speed around the ruck both in defence and also with his scurrying runs.
Dyer Akauola (Dolphins, Norths)
Akauola is an exciting middle forward who is young for the U19 age group. and while he missed the 2025 season through injury, his 2024 campaign was more than enough for him to get a run here.
A Brisbane Grammar School student from the Norths’ Devils junior catchment, he is a mobile, powerful middle forward who is damaging in contact and imposing in defence.
Watch this space as Akauola, also a sensational rugby No.8, gathers more experience and becomes physically conditioned.
NOTE: Capras didn't make final 4.
Future Dolphins Crowned Queensland Champions
The Junior Representative season came to a thrilling conclusion on Saturday, with the Burleigh Bears taking top honours in both the Mal Meninga and Cyril Connell Cup competitions.
In the Mal Meninga Grand Final, Dolphins Academy player Kilarney Lavender was named Player of the Match, showcasing exceptional skill and determination on the big stage.
Meanwhile, in the Cyril Connell Cup, Kingston Seve, Cornelius Kelsall, and Jack Phinney delivered pivotal performances that propelled the Bears to victory.
From all of us at the Dolphins, congratulations to our players and the Burleigh Bears on an outstanding achievement!
The Junior Representative season came to a thrilling conclusion on Saturday, with the Burleigh Bears taking top honours in both the Mal Meninga and Cyril Connell Cup competitions.
In the Mal Meninga Grand Final, Dolphins Academy player Kilarney Lavender was named Player of the Match, showcasing exceptional skill and determination on the big stage.
Meanwhile, in the Cyril Connell Cup, Kingston Seve, Cornelius Kelsall, and Jack Phinney delivered pivotal performances that propelled the Bears to victory.
From all of us at the Dolphins, congratulations to our players and the Burleigh Bears on an outstanding achievement!
Equaliser
Dolphins Pod squad member
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BOOM TEENAGER TO STAY WITH DOLPHINS
Still on the Dolphins, and they have re-signed star 17-year-old forward Brian Pouniu. The Dolphins beat several clubs to secure his signature, Wide World of Sports reports.Pouniu has already built an impressive resume. He played in Queensland’s under-19 emerging squad, and captained the Dolphins to a grand final win in the Cyril Connell Cup, a QRL-run under-16 competition.
The new contract will add Pouniu to the Dolphins’ top 30 squad and give him the chance of making his NRL debut in the future. While Pouniu plays mostly as a forward, he is a utility and has played previously in the centres. The Dolphins are yet to confirm the signing but given he has brushed offers from other clubs, he will stay put.
Josh
Dolphins Pod squad member
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Top 100 young players yet to play NRL: 100-51
85. Brian Poniou (The Dolphins)Age: 17
Team: The Dolphins
Position: Second-Row
Contract Status: 2028
COMPARISON: Viliame Kikau
Like Kikau but not going missing is just what we need.
81. Elijah Rasmussen (The Dolphins)
Age: 19
Team: The Dolphins
Position: Prop
Contract Status: 2027
COMPARISON: Josh Papalii
Liverbird with Phins up
Pod Origin Rep
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Rasmussen sounds familiar, was he a Dragons junior that we stole? Actually forget that, it might have been a different Rasmussen
Josh
Dolphins Pod squad member
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Must be a different person. Unless we poached him out of grade 7. Bostock was a well known Dragons junior but Kerr and Feagai were Dragons rejects. Molo rejected a lot of money to stay with them. They are still ahead of us on the table. Something we can and I'm confident will, rectify tomorrow. Not accurate anyway. They have had two byes but the same number of wins and worse for and against. So we should start favourites.
There are two Elijah Rasmussen's the one currently on Dolphins Development Deal (Top 30 next year) and playing for Capras came across from New Zealand and played U19 for Redcliffe last year in Mal Meninga Cup.
Source: https://www.dolphinsnrl.com.au/news/2024/05/22/dolphins-pathways-players-earn-upgrade/
Red
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Queensland Maroons Under 19s
- Javon Andrews (Tweed Seagulls / Gold Coast Titans)
- Cooper Bai (Tweed Seagulls / Gold Coast Titans)
- Coby Black (Souths Logan Magpies / Brisbane Broncos)
- Jai Bowden (Melbourne Storm)
- Jett Bryce (Burleigh Bears / Brisbane Broncos)
- Phillip Coates (Burleigh Bears / Brisbane Broncos)
- Jac Finigan (Redcliffe Dolphins / The Dolphins)
- Kobi Floro (Melbourne Storm)
- Zac Garton (Redcliffe Dolphins / The Dolphins)
- Sam Hyne (Canberra Raiders)
- Sunny Kama (Tweed Seagulls / Gold Coast Titans)
- Prestyn Laine-Sietu (Cronulla Sharks)
- Kilarney Lavender (Burleigh Bears / The Dolphins)
- David Leota (Canterbury Bulldogs)
- Amaziah Murgha (Melbourne Storm)
- Ray Puru (Tweed Seagulls / Gold Coast Titans)
- Bodhi Sharpley (Tweed Seagulls / Gold Coast Titans)
- Oliva Smith (Canterbury Bulldogs)
- Sam Stephenson (Tweed Seagulls / Gold Coast Titans)
- Hayden Watson (Burleigh Bears / Melbourne Storm)
mr_c
Dolphins Pod squad member
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His sister will be here in time
Red
Forum staff
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Are there plans for us to field a NRLW team?
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