Match Preview: Round 12 – Dolphins v Bulldogs

After a narrow loss to the Warriors in Round 11, the Dolphins will once again be tested by one of the NRL's top teams. The Bulldogs have been a dominant force in 2025, winning nine of their first ten matches and establishing themselves as a benchmark in the competition.

Both teams will face challenges due to key absences. Injuries and State of Origin selections have impacted the squads, with a total of seven players from both teams who participated in last week's games unavailable for selection. These disruptions will force both Kristian Woolf and Cameron Ciraldo to reshuffle their starting lineups and test their squad depth.

This match also holds added significance for the Dolphins, who are yet to notch a victory over the Bulldogs since entering the NRL. The two previous encounters were both held in Bundaberg and ended in defeat for the Dolphins in 2023 and 2024.

With this history in mind, Thursday's game offers a crucial opportunity for the Dolphins to return to the winners' circle, demonstrate their resilience, and build momentum as they head into the mid-season grind.

Team Changes

With Tom Gilbert sidelined due to injury and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow selected for Queensland in next week's State of Origin Game One, the Dolphins will shift Jake Averillo to fullback and Connelly Lemuelu into the starting lineup in the second row. Max Feagai will make his club debut at centre, while Oryn Keeley will wear jersey number 17.

The Bulldogs will also be without their Origin representatives, as Stephen Crichton, Max King, and Kurt Mann have been selected for their respective states. Jacob Kiraz and Daniel Suluka-Fifita will also miss Round 12 due to injury. As a result, Josh Curran will return to the team following a suspension, joining Bailey Hayward and Lipoi Hopoi as changes to the forward pack. Blake Taaffe has been named at centre, with Jake Turpin and Sam Hughes on the bench.

Clash of the week

This week's key match-up features two athletic second-rowers, Kulikefu Finefeuiaki and Viliame Kikau, who bring power and energy on both sides of the ball, notably as strong ball-runners who attack defensive lines with aggression.

Finefeuiaki enters Round 12 on a high, having been named in Billy Slater's extended Queensland squad. In his first season with the Dolphins, the young forward has improved with every performance, becoming a full 80-minute player.
Averaging 112 running metres per game, Finefeuiaki has become one of Isaiya Katoa's main attacking options on the edge. He often takes the tough carries and has shown a growing ability to create momentum when moving down the field.

On the other side, the experienced and imposing Viliame Kikau lines up for the Bulldogs. Standing at 195 centimetres tall, Kikau is a powerful presence on the edge and will captain the Bulldogs on Thursday night.

He is in strong form, aiming to score in his third consecutive game after crossing for the opening try against the Roosters last week, which helped turn the game around after the Bulldogs trailed 14 points to nil.

Kikau's combination of size, strength, and speed makes him one of the most dangerous forwards in the competition, and stopping his momentum will be a major focus for the Dolphins' defence.