2025 NRL Team Previews

Dolphins NRL 2025 Team Preview, Predictions & Player Movement

Jeremy Darke

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Last updated: 07 Feb 2025

Jeremy Darke 07 Feb 2025

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Dolphins predicted to finish 12th in the NRL 2025 Season.
Former St. Helens coach Kristian Woolf replaces Wayne Bennett as Dolphins head coach.
Dolphins depth will be under question again in 2025.

Dolphins predicted to finish 12th in the NRL 2025 Season. (Photo by Emily Barker/Getty Images)

Dolphins NRL 2025 Team Preview, Predictions & Player Movement

Dolphins NRL 2025 Team Preview, Predictions & Player Movement
Where they finish in 2025: 12
Projected Win total: 10
Best contender for Dally M: Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
What’s to like
What’s NOT to like
Dolphins Offseason Player Movement
Dolphins Predicted Starting 17

Where they finish in 2025: 12

It is the end of the Wayne Bennett era at the Dolphins as Kristian Woolf comes in to take over in Redcliff. Woolf certainly has the pedigree working in the NRL system for many years before taking over in St Helens between 2020-22 where he led his team to three straight Super League Championships.

With the change of guard in the coach’s box comes also that on the field with Jesse Bromwich and Jarrod Wallace retiring and Euan Aitken also a notable departure. The Dolphins have recruited to fill the void with the experienced Daniel Saifiti moving up from the Hunter and Kulikefu Finefeuiaki moving down the coast from Townsville.

This is likely to be another season where the Dolphins sit on the brink of the finals but just don’t get there.

Projected Win total: 10

The Dolphins recorded 11 wins in 2024 and it is expected that they will be around the same mark, with just a slight regression to 10 victories this season.

The Dolphins starting 17 can mix it with most on their day, however, when injury and suspension begins to play its part, that is when we see the NRL’s newest club suffer, as they simply do not have the depth in their full squad to cover.

Best contender for Dally M: Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow

The Hammer is a game-changer and can win games for the Dolphins by creating something out of nothing, just like we have seen over his past two seasons.

Tabuai-Fidow’s try scoring strike rate of 16 tries in just 15 games in 2024 was impeccable and is why he is an integral part of the Queensland state of origin squad.

If the Hammer can stay injury free this season he could very well be in the mix for the Dally M, if the Dolphins can over-achieve and make the finals that is.

What’s to like

Don’t take this the wrong way, but moving on from Wayne Bennet could be just what the Dolphins need. A fresh face from a coach that has had great success in the Super League and also with Tonga on the international stage that can be at the club long-term is what the Dolphins need and Kristian Woolf is that guy.

The Dolphins have a great starting 17 that is finals worthy and they certainly have the stars like Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Jeremy Marshall-King and Herbie Farnworth that can break a game open.

What’s NOT to like

Squad depth has been the reason why the Dolphins haven’t made finals in their first two seasons in the competition and that will likely be the case once again in 2025.

Also getting settled on their halves combination is a must. It is a big call to say that Kodi Nikorima and Isaiya Katoa are the duo that are going to lead the Dolphins to their first finals appearance.

Dolphins Offseason Player Movement

Ins: Junior Tupou (Wests Tigers), Kulikefu Finefeuiaki (Cowboys), Daniel Saifiti (Knights), Max Feagai (Dragons)

Outs: Tevita Pangai Junior (Catalans), Edrick Lee (retired), Euan Aitken (Rabbitohs), Jarrod Wallace (retired), Jesse Bromwich (retired), Tesi Niu (Leigh Leopards), Valynce Te Whare (Japanese rugby), Jeremiah Simbiken (Castleford Tigers), Anthony Milford (unsigned), Robert Jennings (unsigned)