NRLQ 21s Dolphins Team List: Round 1 v Cowboys

Author: Breanne Howden
Timestamp: Wed 1 Apr 2026, 01:02 PM

The Dolphins NRLQ 21s are back and ready to launch into 2026 after a dominant, undefeated premiership-winning campaign last season.

Fresh off their 2025 title triumph, the Dolphins begin the new season at home on Thursday night, with the Round 1 clash serving as the curtain-raiser to the NRL side’s showdown later that evening.

Coached by Scott Murray, the Dolphins enter the new campaign with a fresh-look squad determined to uphold the standard set by last year’s title-winning side, while showcasing the next wave of talent rising through the club’s pathways system.

There remains a strong connection to last year’s premiership success, with several familiar faces named for Round 1.

Prop and Dolphins NRL Development player Lewis Symonds will captain the side in the season opener, leading a forward pack that features NRL Top 30 forward Elijah Rasmussen at prop, alongside Dolphins Development Players; Zac Garton in the second row, Patrick Kailahi at lock and Charlie Dickson on the interchange.

There are more returning names from last year’s grand final-winning squad, with Calum Bowles, who started in the centres in the premiership decider against the Broncos, named on the wing for Thursday night’s opener. He is joined by Kurt Jones on the opposite wing, while Baylen Donald has been named in the second row, and Mitchell Rogers and Carter Ford earn spots on the interchange.

In the halves, Toby Batten will line up at five-eighth alongside Noah Fien at halfback, forming an exciting combination to steer the side around the park.

The Dolphins head into Round 1 with a new-look squad, but the same hunger to make their mark in the competition. After setting the benchmark in 2025, Thursday night presents the first opportunity for this emerging group to begin building its own story in Dolphins colours.

With home support behind them and another crop of young talent ready to step up, the Dolphins will be aiming to start their 2026 NRLQ 21s campaign in strong fashion against the Cowboys.

Round 1 - Round 1 - Thursday 2 Apr

6:15 am

Dolphins

Cowboys

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Dolphins is number 1 Brooklyn Sabine

Fullback for Cowboys is number 1 Mason Barber
Winger for Dolphins is number 2 Callum Bowles

Winger for Cowboys is number 2 Joseph Doyle
Centre for Dolphins is number 3 Sangstar Figota

Centre for Cowboys is number 3 Trent Martin
Centre for Dolphins is number 4 Kilarney Lavender

Centre for Cowboys is number 4 Kai Simon
Winger for Dolphins is number 5 Kurt Jones

Winger for Cowboys is number 5 Blake Dorahy
Five-Eighth for Dolphins is number 6 Toby Batten

Five-Eighth for Cowboys is number 6 Taj Lateo
Halfback for Dolphins is number 7 Noah Fien

Halfback for Cowboys is number 7 Zac Herdegen

Forwards

Prop for Dolphins is number 8 Elijah Rasmussen

Prop for Cowboys is number 8 Matthew Watts
Hooker for Dolphins is number 9 Lauloto Salei

Hooker for Cowboys is number 9 Xavier Kerrisk
Prop for Dolphins is number 10 Lewis Symonds

Prop for Cowboys is number 10 Kaiden Lahrs
2nd Row for Dolphins is number 11 Zac Garton

2nd Row for Cowboys is number 11 Maddox Goodwin
2nd Row for Dolphins is number 12 Baylen Donald

2nd Row for Cowboys is number 12 Mason Kira
Lock for Dolphins is number 13 Patrick Kailahi

Lock for Cowboys is number 13 Kyle Bader

Interchange

Interchange for Dolphins is number 14 Mitchell Rogers

Interchange for Cowboys is number 14 Braith Dowson
Interchange for Dolphins is number 15 Carter Ford

Interchange for Cowboys is number 15 Taylan To'a
Interchange for Dolphins is number 16 Michael Hunnisett

Interchange for Cowboys is number 16 Cayde Miller
Interchange for Dolphins is number 17 Charlie Dickson

Interchange for Cowboys is number 17 Jasper Barry

Reserves

Replacement for Dolphins is number 18 Jack Margetts
Reserve for Dolphins is number 19 Charlie Strong

Reserve for Cowboys is number 18 Archie Mesritz
Reserve for Dolphins is number 20 Rielly Laverty