The edge battle no one’s talking about… yet
If there’s one area of the Dolphins’ roster quietly turning elite, it’s the edges.
Not just strong... explosive.
Not just reliable... game-changing.
And heading into 2026, the fight for those back-row jerseys is heating up fast.
Tom Gilbert headlines the group. The 2025 captain brought raw power, aggression and an unbelievable engine. After battling his way back from injury, Gilbert returns with leadership, presence and that trademark competitiveness that lifts everyone around him.
Kulikefu Finefeuiaki, the young back-rower, has become one of the most exciting forwards in the competition with his energy, line speed and ability to dent defensive lines. In 2025 he made 597 tackles in just 20 appearances. For the 22-year-old, every carry has intent, every contact has impact. He’s not just a prospect anymore he’s a problem for opposition teams.
Then there’s Connelly Lemuelu the ultimate X-factor.
Nine tries last season showed his strike, but his real impact often came off the bench, arriving with fresh legs and forcing tired defences to scramble. Lemuelu changed games in short bursts, making opposition middles and edges work overtime. The big question for 2026, does he stay in that high-impact role on the bench?
And don’t sleep on Oryn Keeley.
Keeley didn’t just earn first-grade minutes last season he cemented himself as a genuine NRL edge. Tough and relentless, he’s turned into the kind of player coaches hate leaving out.
Add young gun Brian Pouniu, the 18-year-old prospect pushing hard for his first NRL opportunity. Pouniu is coming through the ranks at speed and the depth only grows. Powerful, athletic and driven, he’s shaping as another genuine threat.
Throw in the versatility of Felise Kaufusi, a veteran who has earned his stripes on the edge, Kaufusi’s experience, defensive detail and big-moment composure remain invaluable who has had time there.
Max Plath’s ability to cover multiple roles, and suddenly the Dolphins aren’t just covered; they’re stacked.
The start of 2025 saw Plath begin on the edge before his form became so strong it pushed Gilbert out of lock and reshaped the forward pack entirely. His versatility means he can influence selection across multiple positions and that directly impacts how the edges look in Round 1.
Plenty of quality edge forwards.
Two starting jerseys.
So we’ll ask the question…
Who are your starting edges for Round 1?
Tell us your combo.
