NRL Profile: Dolphins

The Dolphins embark on a new era in 2025 and it will be interesting to see how they cope following the departure of head coach Wayne Bennett.

Joining the NRL at the start of the 2023 season, they took to the competition like a Dolphin to water, just missing out on finals in 2024.

It is no surprise that the Dolphins did so well, considering they were being coached by Bennett, but now comes the real test.

New coach Kristian Woolf has lost some experienced players during the off-season, but still has a roster packed with talent.

Even so, a place in the top eight is the best they can probably hope for.

Let’s take a look at how the Dolphins are shaping up ahead of the 2025 NRL season.

Woolf steps up to replace Bennett

The loss of Wayne Bennett, who has returned to South Sydney Rabbitohs, was a big blow to the Dolphins.

However in Kristian Woolf they have the ideal replacement.

Woolf has spent the last two seasons working as Bennett’s number two, so knows the club and the players inside out.

On top of that, Woolf has enjoyed success in his own right when he guided Tonga to the 2024 Pacific Cup final against Australia.

At club level Woolf also enjoyed great success in the English Super League with St Helens, winning the grand final in three successive seasons.

The 49-year-old looks the ideal candidate for the Dolphins but it will be far from easy in the 2025 season.

Bromwich leaves big hole

As well as losing Bennett, the Dolphins will also have to cope with experienced forward Jessie Bromwich, who captained the side in their first two seasons.

Bromwich has retired from the game after making 338 NRL appearances, and it is almost impossible to replace such a player.

The loss of Tevita Pangai-Junior is also a setback for Woolf, but it is not all doom and gloom for the new coach.

Former Brisbane Broncos star Thomas Flegler will soon return from injury, while the same can be said of Tom Gilbert.

The additions of Daniel Saifiti and young gun Kulikefu Finefeuiaki is also a plus point for the Dolphins.

One of the Dolphins' strong points in the first two seasons has been a strong backline, and they be delighted to have the same players locked in again.

Jack Bostock, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Jamayne Isaako and Herbie Farnworth all shone in 2024 and the Dolphins will need them to step up once again.

Dolphins odds

The Dolphins have proven the doubters wrong in their opening two seasons, and they have the potential to do the same in 2025.

However, realistically a place in the top eight and finals football is the best they can hope for in a very competitive NRL.

Woolf would bite your hand off if offered a place in the eight and the Dolphins can be backed at 3.50 to make it.

Any odds displayed were correct at the time of writing and are subject to fluctuation.