Jamayne Isaako is set to help fill the Melbourne Storm's wing vacancy after Will Warbrick's move to the Warriors.
The New Zealand Test player joined the Storm after a salary cap squeeze prevented the Dolphins from agreeing a new contract with their all-time leading points-scorer.
Isaako spent the past four seasons in Brisbane and played every game since the Dolphins entered the NRL in 2023.
The Dolphins recently extended Origin winger Selwyn Cobbo, while Herbie Farnworth and Jack Bostock are expected to hit the open market on November 1 after 2027.
Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow is another highly paid star in their backline, adding to the club's challenge of retaining its best players.
Speaking during New Zealand's Rugby League World Cup campaign, Isaako said leaving Brisbane had not been his preference.
"Ideally, we wanted to stay in Brisbane," he told the NewsWire.
"I was enjoying my time at the Dolphins, and at the time, they couldn't come to the table with anything."
He said he wanted a deal settled so he could play without contract uncertainty, but the Dolphins had nothing ready and Melbourne moved quickly.
"It was a tough decision, one that my partner and I didn't take lightly because we've got two young kids as well."
"But we're looking forward to this next chapter," Isaako said.
He will join Jahrome Hughes, Cameron Munster and Harry Grant, with Xavier Coates recovering from a long-term Achilles injury.
Isaako said he hopes to improve his aerial game at a club based in a city where Australian Rules football is prominent.
"If I can go down there and learn to get a bit more air action and jump a bit higher or whatnot, that's obviously something that I'm looking forward to taking on board and hopefully adding to the arsenal."