The Dolphins’ 2025 season had it all: setbacks, breakthroughs, and history-making moments. What began with challenges transformed into record-breaking highs, as the year became a story of resilience, belief, and a club taking bold steps forward.
The Dolphins opened their campaign with a tough 0-4 run under new head coach Kristian Woolf, struggling to find early momentum. But the team refused to be defined by its start. Instead, the group rallied with determination and perseverance.
Injuries tested the squad’s depth, but the Dolphins refused to fold. Players stepped up week after week, with emerging stars Aublix Tawha and Tevita Naufahu making their NRL debuts and quickly stamping their mark. Oryn Keeley also cemented himself as a first-grade regular, showcasing his toughness and consistency.
Coach Woolf kept the focus on who was available, not who wasn’t. He praised the young players as future first-grade standouts, noting that with the return of leaders like Flegler, Gilbert and Saifiti in 2026, competition for positions will be fierce. These opportunities allowed young guns to shine under pressure and prove they belong at the top level, setting the stage for an intense battle for spots next year.
The 2025 season produced unforgettable milestones:
Round 16, Perth: 21-year-old halfback Isaiya Katoa captained the Dolphins, becoming the youngest captain in NRL history.
Rounds 15 & 17: Jack Bostock and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow each scored four tries in a single game, the most ever in a game by a Dolphin.
Round 22: The Dolphins claimed their first-ever victory on New Zealand soil.
Round 27: In front of a sold-out Kayo Stadium, the Dolphins stunned the minor premiers with 62 points, the highest single-game tally in club history.
The Dolphins also knocked over powerhouse clubs, including the Panthers, Storm and Bulldogs for the first time.
Individually, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow had a stellar season, scoring 22 tries (the second-highest tally in the NRL) while also starring in the 2025 State of Origin series. Rising forward Kulikefu Finefeuiaki also earned recognition, joining the Maroons camp as one of the competition’s brightest young prospects.
Herbie Farnworth lit up the competition with the longest try-scoring streak in the club's short history, crossing in eight consecutive games between Rounds 7 and 15.
Jamayne Isaako once again proved his class, finishing the year as the NRL’s leading point scorer for the second time in three years after amassing 278 points.
The Dolphins closed the season with a 12–12 record, placing 9th on the ladder, the highest finish for the club so far and more significantly, posting the best attacking record in the competition with 721 points scored.
Although the 2025 finals hopes came down to the wire, the Dolphins showed the competition that they are building something special.
Beyond the field, 2025 was a landmark year for the Dolphins’ community. The club surged past 30,000 members. At Suncorp Stadium, the Dolphins averaged almost 26,000 fans per game. From Indigenous Round to Thank You Members Round, the “Phins Up” spirit was louder than ever.
2025 also marked the end of an era, with two foundation players hanging up the boots.
Kenny Bromwich (Dolphin #12) and Mark Nicholls (Dolphin #15).
Both leave behind legacies as leaders, role models, and pioneers who “dug the well” for future generations. Their commitment, professionalism, and leadership paved the way for the club’s young stars.
With the 2025 season in the books, all eyes turn to 2026. The Dolphins will welcome back key players, including Daniel Saifiti, Tom Gilbert, Max Plath, Jack Bostock, and Thomas Flegler. Their return will add further depth to a squad already bursting with young talent eager to make their mark.
The stage is set for a fierce battle for positions, as the next generation pushes forward to cement their place in Dolphins history.
The 2025 season was one of growth, resilience, and history-making achievements. With records broken and foundations strengthened, the focus now shifts to 2026 and building on the platform laid this year.
Moments become memories, and memories become history. As the Dolphins charge into 2026, we invite you to stand with us and shape the future of our club. Don’t just watch it happen, be part of it. The Dolphins are building something special, and history starts with you.
