Why The Dolphins?

[257Matt]

Had a great season as a 13 but Plath or Gilbert aren't good #14s, Donoghue is.

Dolphins have confirmed Plath won't return until Round 4 and with a bye in Round 6 his earliest NRL return will be Round 7.

A lot has passed since Gilbert last played a top standard game at NRL level including the emergences of Plath & Donoghoe.

You and others attacked me when I had Donga in my likely round 1 team for 2025 and he was an auto pick in the 17 all that season. I do believe he gets first shot at lock in 2026 and he'll be in the NRL team all season unless he's either injured, suspended or picked for NSW.

It's the effort plays and small 1% stuff that so many miss is why he'll be one of the first picked. Go have a look at some of his defensive efforts especially when the momentum was against Dolphins he pushes to make things happen.

 

[Gary]

Dolphins have confirmed Plath won't return until Round 4 and with a bye in Round 6 his earliest NRL return will be Round 7.

A lot has passed since Gilbert last played a top standard game at NRL level including the emergences of Plath & Donoghoe.

You and others attacked me when I had Donga in my likely round 1 team for 2025 and he was an auto pick in the 17 all that season. I do believe he gets first shot at lock in 2026 and he'll be in the NRL team all season unless he's either injured, suspended or picked for NSW.

It's the effort plays and small 1% stuff that so many miss is why he'll be one of the first picked. Go have a look at some of his defensive efforts especially when the momentum was against Dolphins he pushes to make things happen.

Mate stop sucking yourself off over donga. We all know you backed him ffs

 

[Dolph]

Dolphins have confirmed Plath won't return until Round 4 and with a bye in Round 6 his earliest NRL return will be Round 7.

A lot has passed since Gilbert last played a top standard game at NRL level including the emergences of Plath & Donoghoe.

You and others attacked me when I had Donga in my likely round 1 team for 2025 and he was an auto pick in the 17 all that season. I do believe he gets first shot at lock in 2026 and he'll be in the NRL team all season unless he's either injured, suspended or picked for NSW.

It's the effort plays and small 1% stuff that so many miss is why he'll be one of the first picked. Go have a look at some of his defensive efforts especially when the momentum was against Dolphins he pushes to make things happen.

I didn't attack you. Just disagreed based on how I'd seem him play in the previous years. I'm happy you were right.

 

[mr_c]

we never had a full side all last season kodi, was out the 1st two games , then others got injured , we said he was injury cover for that very reason. What games did we have full strength side in 25 , they said it on one the l.( media said bar warriors we were the only team not to have full strength team right the way through ). HENCE THE NEED TO HAVE GOOD BOTTOM 13

hence why kurt and others was used

yes we know your love , affair for him but like previous 3 years there be new fan fav trai val kurt max , had there time next fan fav will come happens all the time

 

[257Matt]

we never had a full side all last season kodi, was out the 1st two games , then others got injured , we said he was injury cover for that very reason. What games did we have full strength side in 25 , they said it on one the l.( media said bar warriors we were the only team not to have full strength team right the way through ). HENCE THE NEED TO HAVE GOOD BOTTOM 13

hence why kurt and others was used

yes we know your love , affair for him but like previous 3 years there be new fan fav trai val kurt max , had there time next fan fav will come happens all the time

Sport is about opportunity you know everyone gets either a debut or recall because someone else was either dropped or injured. Max Plath only got his chance to play lock with Tom Gilbert & Ray Stone out he made every post a winner in 2024. I tried telling you before Round 1 that Kurt Donoghoe will be in the 17 when all of you were picking 17's and I said he would be there before Bromwich. In the era of the bunker calling out HIA's at any moment & only going to get stricter after the Tonga fiasco having adaptable players in the 1-13 & 14-17 are priceless in today's game something you couldn't grasp and you had to resort to name calling.

With a few more injuries players were given opportunities to start games and they impressed. Donoghoe took the lock role to a new level watch the Cooper Cronk or Chad Townsend podcasts where they openly talk about his evolution as a player.

Tevita Naufahu got his chance to start this year and his rise as a player has pretty much seen Max Feagai leave a year early. If Selwyn Cobbo shows no interest in being at Dolphins don't be surprised if Tevita wins that Round 1 spot.

I doubt many had Plath in their 1-17's for 2024 and I for one did there was something I saw in late 2023 that convinced me he was going to be in the 17 all 2024 whether or not Gilbert was available. Plath is due back Round 4 there's a bye in Round 6 I see the earliest he'll be considered for NRL selection in Round 7.

Fuller fullback, Hammer centre is firming by the day - enjoy it

 

[mr_c]

So as you say they were given there chance because injurys lol only reason why max trai Kurt were put in

 

[257Matt]

So as you say they were given there chance because injurys lol only reason why max trai Kurt were put in

It's the case for nearly every sports person Geoffrey.

 

[Red]

It's the case for nearly every sports person Geoffrey.

Would you please stop calling him that? He made clear he doesn't like it. It's like grade 4 or 5 calling each other names.

And mr_c, you don't rate Donoghue? Fair enough. Lets wait and see if he can put 2 good seasons in a row together. But 2 257Matt gets pissed by you constantly downplaying his form or ability.

 

[257Matt]

Would you please stop calling him that? He made clear he doesn't like it. It's like grade 4 or 5 calling each other names.

And mr_c, you don't rate Donoghue? Fair enough. Lets wait and see if he can put 2 good seasons in a row together. But 2 257Matt gets pissed by you constantly downplaying his form or ability.

If a certain person doesn't like it than stop name calling or the insults aimed at me

 

[257Matt]

Red go through every debutant in the history of sport 99% of them is because someone else got dropped, or there was an injury or time passed them by.

Khawaja's last recall to the cricket team came because Travis Head had Covid & he scored twin centuries so someone else made way.

Katoa got his debut at Dolphins because of Milford's attitude in the off season.

Plath got his Dolphins deal not long after he ripped Redcliffe in a one-man effort in a Cup game.

Just because someone was a shadow player a couple years ago doesn't mean they forever remain one. What happened in 2025 is more valuable than what may have happened in previous years.

Bostock and Plath barely featured in the 2023 side both were permanent fixtures in the 2024 side, Donoghoe was the same last year & into next year. Like Katoa swept past O'Sullivan as the first choice halfback.

Fuller is now proving to be a player too good to leave out, two backup centres have been released and every chance another centre could be out the door either before 2026 starts or for the 2027 season. With Fuller at 100% fitness in the off season and coming off his end of season performances perhaps the time has come where Fuller and Hammer are in the team together. Who cares if Fuller is a late bloomer so was Cody Walker.

There will be some bolters no one is talking about in the 2026 side and don't right off Naufahu making the Round 1 side he did score 6 tries in 7 games.

 

[Josh]

Interesting. Fox Sports being much more upbeat about our prospects in the near future.

---

DOLPHINS​

Premiership window: 2027-2029​

Last title: N/A​

Analysis:​

At times last season the Dolphins looked like they were a top four team, but the next week they would get thrashed and expose how far they still have to go. Given the roster they have, you wouldn’t write them off from giving the premiership a shake in 2026, but given they are yet to make the finals that is the first hurdle to climb, so it is baby steps for this team.

The Dolphins were hurt last season by a horror casualty ward that saw most of their starting pack wiped out and much will depend on how Tom Flegler and skipper Tom Gilbert return from long injury lay-offs next season.

However, a spine of Isaiya Katoa, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Jeremy Marshall-King and Kodi Nikorima with George Williams to come, can set the Dolphins up for a premiership window from 2027 onwards. The first step is to make a maiden finals appearance in 2026 and iron out the issues with their defence, but they have the attacking class to make a run at a maiden title in the next few seasons.

 

[257Matt]

Interesting. Fox Sports being much more upbeat about our prospects in the near future.

---

DOLPHINS​

Premiership window: 2027-2029​

Last title: N/A​

Analysis:​

At times last season the Dolphins looked like they were a top four team, but the next week they would get thrashed and expose how far they still have to go. Given the roster they have, you wouldn’t write them off from giving the premiership a shake in 2026, but given they are yet to make the finals that is the first hurdle to climb, so it is baby steps for this team.

The Dolphins were hurt last season by a horror casualty ward that saw most of their starting pack wiped out and much will depend on how Tom Flegler and skipper Tom Gilbert return from long injury lay-offs next season.

However, a spine of Isaiya Katoa, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Jeremy Marshall-King and Kodi Nikorima with George Williams to come, can set the Dolphins up for a premiership window from 2027 onwards. The first step is to make a maiden finals appearance in 2026 and iron out the issues with their defence, but they have the attacking class to make a run at a maiden title in the next few seasons.

Did you see the 6 clubs they had in the premiership window for the 2026? To spare you the research one of them was Newcastle LOL

 

[Red]

Did you see the 6 clubs they had in the premiership window for the 2026? To spare you the research one of them was Newcastle LOL

If Ponga stays fit, they'll probably make the 8. Or 50-50 chance. He was injured for so much of last season people have forgotten how good he is.

 

[257Matt]

If Ponga stays fit, they'll probably make the 8. Or 50-50 chance. He was injured for so much of last season people have forgotten how good he is.

Saints are my tip for the spoon even though they have a lot of good juniors admittedly many of them at other clubs they have 3 big problems there being Flanagan, Flanagan and no speed.

Ponga has produced many fine moments and does save his best for when Newcastle play against Dolphins. I do believe there's just too many off field distractions with him now.

 

[Red]

Saints are my tip for the spoon even though they have a lot of good juniors admittedly many of them at other clubs they have 3 big problems there being Flanagan, Flanagan and no speed.

Ponga has produced many fine moments and does save his best for when Newcastle play against Dolphins. I do believe there's just too many off field distractions with him now.

It's kind of funny the farce going on there. Kyle Flanagan wouldn't make the reserve grade team if his dad wasn't head coach.

But I think good ol GC might collect the spoon. They have 3 high quality fullbacks and zero quality halves.

 

[Dolph]

It's kind of funny the farce going on there. Kyle Flanagan wouldn't make the reserve grade team if his dad wasn't head coach.

But I think good ol GC might collect the spoon. They have 3 high quality fullbacks and zero quality halves.

Gold Coast and St. George in a shootout for the spoon.

 

[mr_c]

gc and drags will be higher than knights no way will knights be that great in 1st year with team they got expect cowboys to be there brimson n jaiedn or illias will step up

 

[Liverbird with Phins up]

Gold Coast and St. George in a shootout for the spoon.

Agreed

 

[Red]

gc and drags will be higher than knights no way will knights be that great in 1st year with team they got expect cowboys to be there brimson n jaiedn or illias will step up

Knights have Ponga on and Brown. True Brown has so far been massively overrated and massively overpaid but he's still a handy player. Parra were offering to pay him 900k a season.

 

[mr_c]

Knights have Ponga on and Brown. True Brown has so far been massively overrated and massively overpaid but he's still a handy player. Parra were offering to pay him 900k a season.

2 players aint going make that team both them are overrated and really was disappointed in a lt of knights players last season and dont see those two changing much