DOLPHINS
Off-contract 2024: Anthony Milford, Edrick Lee, Jesse Bromwich, Mason Teague (Mutual Option for 2025), Robert Jennings (Mutual Option for 2025), Tesi Niu, Valynce Te Whare
Off-contract 2025: Connelly Lemuelu, Felise Kaufusi, Harrison Graham, Josh Kerr, Kenneath Bromwich, Mark Nicholls, Sean O’Sullivan
The Dolphins are facing somewhat of a roster clear out after only two seasons in the top grade. Tevita Pangai Junior, who only joined the club mid-season, alongside Euan Aitken, who has signed with the Rabbitohs will depart the 17th franchise. Meanwhile, Jarrod Wallace was granted a mid-season release to head overseas while veteran prop Jesse Bromwich hung up the boots. Valynce Te Whare is also on the lookout for a new club, while the futures of Mason Teague and Rob Jennings remain up in the air, with both having mutual options for the 2025 season. Once again, the Dolphins have recruited well. Daniel Saifiti, Junior Tupou, Kulikefu Finefeuiaki and Max Feagai will all join Kristian Woolf’s squad. Saifiti and Finefeuaki are expected to slot straight into the Dolphins’ best 17 while Tupou and Feagai bolster the club’s outside backs depth. There are real contract headaches that could still come on November 1. Back rower Connelly Lemuelu has been a revelation on the edge for the Dolphins and will be a retention target, with rivals almost certain to put in bids to lure him away from the club. Meanwhile, Sean O’Sullivan found himself out of favour to start the year, but finished his year as one of the club’s starting halves and was strong. Considering the lack of halves depth across the competition, he will almost certainly be a player the Dolphins will want to keep, bolstering their playmaking stocks. It remains to be seen whether Harrison Graham and Josh Kerr will be offered new deals, but it’s worth noting that Kerr had one of his better seasons at NRL level. The Dolphins could do worse than offering the 28-year-old an extension. Felise Kaufusi, Kenny Bromwich and Mark Nicholls could be coming to the bookend of their respective NRL careers. Kaufusi is sure to still attract interest if he hits November 1 without a new deal from the Dolphins. It was expected Anthony Milford would depart the club this off-season but it has been reported that the 30-year-old has been
offered a one-year extension.
2025 losses: Tevita Pangai Junior (Catalans), Euan Aitken (Rabbitohs)
2025 gains: Junior Tupou (Wests Tigers), Kulikefu Finefeuiaki (Cowboys), Daniel Saifiti (Knights), Max Feagai (Dragons)