Dolphins glide into top four on ladder and are Queensland's best hope

By Chase Christensen  

While the Brisbane Broncos continue to struggle through one of the toughest periods in recent club history, their Queensland rivals are enjoying a season to remember. The Dolphins have emerged as one of the competition's biggest success stories in 2026 and are quickly becoming Queensland's best hope of premiership glory.  

After securing six consecutive victories, the Dolphins find themselves sitting comfortably inside the top four on the NRL ladder. It is a remarkable turnaround for a club that is only in its fourth season since entering the competition. More importantly, it places them in the strongest position they have ever been in to qualify for the finals and make a genuine premiership push.  

The contrast between the Dolphins and the Broncos could not be greater. While Brisbane has suffered six straight defeats and watched its finals hopes fade, the Dolphins have continued to build momentum with each passing week. Confidence is high throughout the squad and the club appears to be improving at exactly the right time in the season.  

A major reason for their success has been the outstanding form of their halves pairing. Isaiya Katoa is enjoying what many would consider a career-best season, establishing himself as one of the competition's premier young playmakers. His game management, kicking ability and leadership have all reached new levels this year.  

Alongside him, Kodi Nikorima has rediscovered some of the brilliant form that made him one of the NRL's most exciting players earlier in his career. The experienced five-eighth has been the perfect partner for Katoa, providing creativity, speed and unpredictability in attack. Together, they have formed one of the most dangerous halves combinations in the competition and have played a major role in the Dolphins' rise up the ladder.  

One of the strongest indicators that the Dolphins are legitimate premiership contenders came in their narrow defeat to the Penrith Panthers. Although they fell short by a single point, the performance showed they are capable of matching it with the very best teams in the competition. Penrith's incredible success over recent years has set the standard for the rest of the NRL and the Dolphins proved they belong in the same conversation as the competition's elite clubs.  

The remainder of the regular season also presents a favorable opportunity for the Dolphins to strengthen their position inside the top four. Several of their upcoming opponents have struggled for consistency throughout the year, including the Gold Coast Titans, Brisbane Broncos, St George Illawarra Dragons and North Queensland Cowboys.  

While no match in the NRL can be taken lightly, those fixtures provide the Dolphins with a genuine chance to continue their winning form and potentially secure a top four finish by the end of the regular season.  

That achievement would be incredibly significant. Since the beginning of the NRL era, no team has gone on to win the grand final after finishing outside the top four. The finals system heavily rewards teams that earn a top four position, giving them a valuable second chance and a much easier path to the premiership decider.  

For the Dolphins, remaining inside the top four could be the difference between simply making the finals and genuinely competing for a premiership. It would provide a massive boost to their hopes of lifting the first title in club history and completing one of the most remarkable success stories the competition has seen.  

What makes their rise even more impressive is how quickly it has happened. Many expansion clubs spend years building towards sustained success, but the Dolphins have developed into premiership contenders in a remarkably short period of time. Their squad contains a strong mix of experienced leaders, exciting young talent and players who have embraced the opportunity to establish themselves at the highest level.  

There is still plenty of football left to be played with tougher challenges undoubtedly lying ahead. However, the Dolphins have shown throughout the season that they possess the talent, confidence and resilience required to compete with the best teams in the NRL.  

If they can maintain their current form and secure a top four finish, there is every reason to believe they can go all the way. For a club that only entered the competition a few years ago, the dream of holding the Provan-Summons Trophy on grand final day is no longer just a possibility - it is becoming a genuine reality.