LeagueNews.co | Jess Malloy
The Dolphins' 2025 season was filled with challenges, achievements, and historic moments. What began with adversity evolved into a year of remarkable highs, symbolizing resilience, belief, and the club's forward momentum.
Initially, the Dolphins faced a difficult start, recording a 0-4 run under new head coach Kristian Woolf, struggling to gain early traction. However, the team refused to let this define them and united with determination.
Injuries tested the squad's depth, but the Dolphins stood firm. Young stars Aublix Tawha and Tevita Naufahu made their NRL debuts, making significant impacts. Oryn Keeley established himself as a first-grade regular, demonstrating toughness and consistency in his play.
Coach Woolf emphasized focusing on the players available rather than those sidelined. He praised the young talents as future stars, acknowledging that the return of leaders like Flegler, Gilbert, and Saifiti in 2026 would lead to intense competition for spots. These circumstances provided young players with the chance to excel under pressure, laying the groundwork for fierce competition next year.
Significant achievements marked the season: in Rounds 15 and 17, Jack Bostock and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow each scored four tries in a single match, setting a record for the most tries by a Dolphin in one game. In Round 22, the Dolphins celebrated their first-ever victory on New Zealand soil. Finally, in Round 27, in front of a sold-out Kayo Stadium, the Dolphins shocked the minor premiers by scoring a staggering 62 points, the highest single-game tally in the club's history.