Jeremy Marshall-King waited a long time to experience finals football. Now, he is ready to bring it home to Suncorp Stadium.
After helping the Dolphins secure a place in the Preliminary Final, Marshall-King says the side is determined to embrace every moment of the club’s historic finals run, with a huge home crowd awaiting them in Brisbane.
The hooker experienced finals football for the first time in the Dolphins’ Qualifying Final in New Zealand, describing the occasion as one he had been waiting a long time for.
“It was a pretty incredible experience for myself. It’s taken me a long time to get there”
Marshall-King
“I just pretty much soaked it in and enjoyed that moment, especially back home in New Zealand as well. It was something special.”
Now the stage shifts to Suncorp Stadium, where the Dolphins will play for a place in the NRL Grand Final.
After experiencing the noise of a packed stadium across the Tasman, Marshall-King knows just how much of an impact a vocal crowd can have and this time, he is looking forward to having the Dolphins faithful behind them.
“We know we’re going to be at Suncorp. It’ll be a big crowd,” he said.
“A lot of Phins fans are ready to see [us].”
Marshall-King soaking in historic finals run
The Preliminary Final will mark another significant moment for a club contesting its first finals series, just four seasons after entering the NRL.
For Marshall-King, there is no looking too far ahead. Instead, the focus is on making the most of an opportunity that is never guaranteed to come around again.
“This time of the year, you want to be playing,” he said.
“It’s exciting. You’ve just got to soak it in because you never know when it’s going to come around again.
“You’ve got to take each day as it comes.”
That mindset has been underpinned by a connection Marshall-King believes has driven the Dolphins throughout the season.
“The biggest thing for us as a club and as a group is our connection as players,” he said.
“We don’t want to let each other down in any way or form. We just want to keep working for each other.”
That bond has helped the Dolphins reach new territory in 2026, with Marshall-King confident in what the group can achieve as the stakes continue to rise.
“I’ve got a lot of confidence in that group. It’s just exciting for us at the club,” he said.
“It’s taken four years to get here. That’s pretty good if you ask me.
“You don’t know when the next time it comes, so you’ve just got to embrace it.”
With Suncorp Stadium now waiting, the Dolphins will have the chance to embrace their biggest home game yet with a sea of Phins fans behind them.
