We’re still weeks out from the start of the NRL season, but there’s already plenty happening for the Dolphins. New faces coming in and old faces preparing to sign off, it’s promising to be quite a year for the youngest team in the competition.
Described as the “surprise packets of 2023”, the Dolphins proved early on they had what it took to keep up with the front runners, but the cracks began to show with injuries kicking in and suspensions taking over, holding them back from finishing in the top eight.
Fast forward to 2024 and the Dolphins have added a string of representative players into the mix. Thomas Flegler and Herbie Farnworth are coming in from fellow Brisbane side the Broncos; Jake Averillo is joining them from the Bulldogs and Oryn Keeley a former Newcastle Knights player. Herman Ese’ese, Poasa Faamausili and Oliver Gildart have all moved on from the side.
While they didn’t lack experience in the forwards and were led by the Bromwich brothers Jesse and Kenny, as well as others with international and Origin experience like Felise Kaufusi and Jarrod Wallace. The addition of youthful exuberance from Flegler, coupled with a fully fit and re-signed Tom Gilbert, ensures the Dolphins will have a formidable pack come the start of the 2024 season.
Last year, the Dolphins appeared to lack depth in their halves and this was exacerbated by an early-season pectoral injury to their first-choice halfback Sean O’Sullivan. However, it did give valuable experience to youngster Isaiya Katoa and an opportunity for older players Anthony Milford and Kodi Nikorima to show off their wares.
The young side also struggled to find consistency with their centres as the injury toll rose. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow was forced away from his preferred position of fullback, but the club have moved to address this with the signings of Farnworth and Averillo in particular.
Young gun Max Plath (resigned until the end of 2026) could snag the number 14 jersey due to his versatility where he can fill in at half, hooker and lock, but may need more time to show his abilities before dislodging more experienced players from the bench.
Captain Jesse Bromwich is already hinting at 2024 potentially being his last season with a goal to get his side through to the finals. Will it be the Dolphins year??
Connelly Lemuelu remains the main concern for the Dolphins due to a knee injury but is working hard to make his return during the Pre-Season Challenge on February 18 against the Titans. Ray Stone and Jeremy Marshall-King have already returned to training following toe and shoulder injuries and are aiming to be ready for season kick-off.
Predicted Round 1 Dolphins team
Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
Jamayne Isaako
Jake Averillo
Herbie Farnworth
Jack Bostock
Kodi Nikorima
Sean O’Sullivan
Jesse Bromwich
Jeremy Marshall-King
Thomas Flegler
Felise Kaufusi
Kenny Bromwich
Tom Gilbert
Ray Stone
Jarrod Wallace
Connelly Lemuelu
Mark Nicholls
Get ready to Get your Phins Up!
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