A third-place finish, a maiden Finals appearance and a historic season for the Dolphins.
The Dolphins reached new heights in 2026, recording their most successful NRL campaign since entering the competition in 2023.
Under Head Coach Kristian Woolf, the Dolphins secured their first-ever Finals victory and earned a home Preliminary Final at Suncorp Stadium, falling just one win short of a Grand Final appearance.
With new milestones set and plenty to build on, the Dolphins now turn their attention to 2027.
A Historic Finals Campaign
For the first time in club history, the Dolphins entered September as Finals contenders, travelling across the Tasman to face the New Zealand Warriors in a Qualifying Final.
In front of a sold-out Go Media Stadium, the Dolphins produced a determined second-half comeback to secure a historic victory and book a home Preliminary Final at Suncorp Stadium.
A sold-out sea of red awaited the Dolphins as they returned to Brisbane, just one win away from a maiden Grand Final appearance.
Despite a courageous performance against the Sydney Roosters, the Dolphins fell short of reaching the decider, bringing their remarkable season to an end.
While the result was not the fairytale finish the club had hoped for, the 2026 campaign marked a significant milestone in the Dolphins’ journey, setting a new benchmark for the seasons ahead.
Celebrating the Club’s Best
Following the conclusion of the season, the Dolphins came together for the club’s annual Awards Night, recognising the players and individuals who made an outstanding contribution throughout 2026.
English international Herbie Farnworth capped off a remarkable campaign, claiming the prestigious Arthur Beetson Medal as Player of the Year, alongside the Jesse Bromwich Players’ Player Award and Best Back honours.
Max Plath was recognised as Best Forward and received the Education Award, while co-captain Isaiya Katoa claimed the Most Consistent Player Award.
Young forward Brian Pouniu was named Rookie of the Year, with Selwyn Cobbo taking home the Wahl Fan MVP Award.
The celebrations followed further recognition on the NRL stage, with Farnworth and Cobbo earning selection in the Dally M Team of the Year and Jamayne Isaako taking home Dally M Top-Point Scorer.
Isaako collects his Dally M top-point scorer award
Farewelling Our Departing Dolphins
As the 2026 season comes to a close, the Dolphins will farewell five players who have made their mark on the club.
Jake Averillo, Jamayne Isaako and Kodi Nikorima will move on to the next chapters of their careers, while Daniel Saifiti and Ray Stone will hang up the boots, announcing their retirement from professional rugby league.
Each player has played a part in the Dolphins' journey, contributing to the club's growth and historic first Finals campaign.
The Dolphins thank all five players for their dedication, commitment and contributions to the club, wishing them and their families all the best for the future.
Dolphins on the World Stage
While the NRL season has come to an end, the rugby league calendar is far from over for a host of Dolphins stars.
Attention now turns to the 2026 Rugby League World Cup, with Dolphins players set to represent their respective nations on the international stage.
From Australia and England to Tonga, Fiji, Samoa and New Zealand, the club will have a strong presence across the tournament, showcasing the talent within the Dolphins squad on the world stage.
The international selections provide another opportunity to celebrate the achievements of the playing group following a landmark season for the club.
Building Towards 2027
With a maiden Finals campaign now behind them, the Dolphins will turn their attention to building on the success of 2026.
The club’s continued growth, emerging talent and strong playing group provide an exciting foundation as preparations begin for another NRL campaign.
From a third-place finish to a first Finals victory and a sold-out Preliminary Final at Suncorp Stadium, 2026 has been a season of firsts.
And while the season has come to an end, the Dolphins’ journey is far from over.
Thank you to our members, fans and partners for being part of a historic 2026 season. We look forward to seeing you back in the stands in 2027.
