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Sport Nation
Will the Dolphins play finals in 2025?
Charles Goodsir • July 29th, 2025 1:08 pm
After just three seasons in the NRL, the Dolphins are on the cusp of a finals berth for the first time in their history.
After 21 rounds, the Dolphins sit in eighth position on the NRL ladder with a 9-9 record after starting the season 0-4. The Dolphins boast the third best attack in the competition behind the Melbourne Storm (third) and Canberra Raiders (first) and have the second best points differential (+169) behind the Storm (+222).
Head coach Kristian Woolf told SEN that it was satisfying to see the practices set during pre-season and the start of the season are becoming habitual for his players.
“It’s all about (establishing) who we want to be and we spoke about this all during the pre-season,” Woolf said on SENQ Breakfast.
“A lot of the work we did during the pre-season is how we want to look defensively.
“We are still looking for consistency because we have had our ups and downs. I think our defense has also evolved throughout the year too.
“The players are a big part of that change. It’s about constant feedback as well (and) particularly to young players like Isaiya Katoa.
“His maturity level is well beyond his years both on and off the field. That’s why he’s an exceptional player.
“It makes him easy to deal with and coach with. I want to give him the opportunity to go and play out what he sees.
“That might mean he gets something wrong but it’s the best way he (and the team) learns.
“They’re very open to the feedback we’ve got.
“Katoa certainly gets it right often.”
The Dolphins are in a big fight for the remaining spots in the top eight with sixth placed Brisbane and the 10th placed Sydney Roosters only being separated by four competition points.
SEN’s Corey Parker believes Woolf’s men have earned the right for a finals berth following an outstanding season to date.
“They are looking to secure their spot,” Parker said on SENQ Breakfast.
“I really want to back them in. Destiny is their hands.
“I hope they play in finals because sometimes you don’t always get what you deserve in professional sports.
“I reckon the Dolphins deserve to play finals. They just turn up and have a red hot crack.
“You have to applaud that.”
“You have to applaud that.”
The Dolphins travel to Auckland to play the Warriors on Friday at Go Media Stadium.
