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Sport Nation
Historic record Dolphins will hate: How did they miss finals?
Charles Goodsir • September 17th, 2025 12:20 pm
The Dolphins were the great unknown in season 2025 following the departure of legendary coach Wayne Bennett and the introduction of rookie coach Kristian Woolf. To the surprise of many, the NRL’s newcomer finished the season with the best attack in the competition.
The Dolphins scored 721 points in 2025 which is ninth on the all-time list for most points scored in a season. However, the Dolphins are also the first team in history to finish outside the top eight despite boasting the best attack in the competition.
Despite plenty of improvement, an 0-4 start to the season would ultimately cost the Dolphins the opportunity to play deep into September.
“The Dolphins were really unlucky this year not to play finals,” SEN’s Corey Parker said on SENQ Breakfast.
“I wanted them to make the semi-finals because they were the feel-good story of the season.
“They were 0-4 to start the season. That’s a bad start to life under a new coach.
“If they just managed to get one of those wins, they would’ve been playing in the finals.
“There were only a handful of games where they were blown away and you could see it coming.
“If there’s one thing you can say it’s that they never gave excuses,” SEN’s Ian Healy added.
“A lot went right for them this season.”
“A lot went right for them this season.”
The Dolphins lost their first three matches to the South Sydney Rabbitohs, Newcastle Knights and Wests Tigers; teams that finished 14th, 17th and 13th respectively.
Kristian Woolf’s team would also regret losing to eventual wooden spooners Newcastle twice.
The Dolphins were cruelled by a number of injuries particularly in their forward stocks which explained some late blowouts in the season.
The Dolphins were cruelled by a number of injuries particularly in their forward stocks which explained some late blowouts in the season.
The Roosters put 64 points on the Dolphins at home in Round 23 whilst an underwhelming Manly side were able to register 58 points in Round 25.
“They never deviated from their game,” Parked said.
“They were decimated with injury and I thought the Dolphins were pulled apart left, right and centre.
“Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow was injured as well as Tom Gilbert. Daniel Saifiti was another big signing for them.
“Jack Bostock, Max Plath, Jeremy Marshall-King and throw in Felise Kaufusi.
“When Herbie Farnworth went down with a hamstring injury, that was a pivotal moment.
“Yet, they found a way to continually turn up and get the job done. They’ve built that club on competing super hard.
“They were still in calculations right until the end. It has to be a huge pass mark.”
The Dolphins’ meteoric rise can also be attributed to the breakout season of young halfback Isaiya Katoa.
The 21-year-old was second in the competition for try assists (23), fifth for line break assists (21), equal first alongside Nathan Cleary for line break involvements (24) and was first for line engagements (246).
Parker believes Katoa should be favourite to claim the Dally M Halfback of the Year ahead of other strong contenders such as Canberra’s Jamal Fogarty and Brisbane’s Adam Reynolds.
“Katoa was the best seven in the competition over the course of the season,” Parker declared.
“He should get the Dally M Halfback of the year award.
“He’ll be very close at least.”
In order for season 2026 to be considered a success, Parker is adamant that the Dolphins must qualify for finals.
“They are going to go places next year.”
