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Woolf in the door: Dolphins set to extend coach
Joel Gould, AAP •  September 22nd, 2026 4:38 pm
Dolphins head coach Kristian Woolf is set to stay at the Dolphins beyond 2027 | Photo: Andrew Cornaga/AAP
It takes a special kind of coach to follow Wayne Bennett with success and Kristian Woolf fits the bill for the Dolphins in key metrics.
It is why Dolphins CEO Terry Reader said the 51-year-old would ink a contract extension post-season as a formality after guiding the Dolphins to Friday night's grand-final qualifier against Sydney Roosters in what is the club's first finals appearance.
"That's something that will be taken care of quite quickly," Reader said.
"Our intention is for him to be a long-term coach at our club, and that's his intention as well."
Woolf, signed until the end of 2027, is technically off-contract on November 1. He was a key part of the Dolphins' coaching puzzle from day one after Bennett said he would be on deck for the set-up year in 2022 and then coach for two seasons.
Wayne Bennett (left) was seamlessly succeeded by Kristian Woolf (right) as Dolphins coach | Photo: Jono Searle/AAP
The Dolphins had identified his assistant Woolf as the heir apparent for 2025 following success as a head coach in Super League and on the international stage after turning Tonga from minnows into a powerhouse.
"Woolfie wasn't an assistant coach who we were hoping knew how to be a head coach," Reader said.
"He'd won three Super League premierships in a row with St Helens, and he'd done what he had with Tonga.
"Woolfie's got a lot of respect from everyone in the game, but especially our playing group.
"In a similar vein to Wayne, he's a great man manager and connects very well with the players."
Kristian Woolf (centre) has been a successful head coach with Tonga | Photo: Darren England/AAP
The Dolphins had a shaky start to this season and were 12th after eight rounds following four losses and while there was outside noise about the coach, the brains trust was not concerned.
"If you've ever heard us speak, and you look at how the Dolphins have operated in the past, we're not a club that has a committee meeting because we lost a few games in a row," Reader said.
"We've got wonderful faith in our people and loyalty to our people."
When Dolphins coach Kristian Woolf (centre) speaks the players listen | Photo: Darren England/AAP
The buy-in of the players is reflected by their heartfelt responses about their mentor.
Strike centre Herbie Farnworth said Woolf had created an environment where "all the boys look up to him."
"Woolfy is all about really high standards and you have to toe the line. That has worked for us, especially with the young group," he told AAP.
Elite Dolphins half Isaiya Katoa said the confidence Woolf had in him was integral.
"If there is one word to sum up how much Woolfy has done for me it is definitely to show the confidence in me to go out and be myself, take control and play exactly what I see," he said.
Thomas Flegler (left) was supported by coach Kristian Woolf during his injury comeback | Photo: AAP
Woolf has the ball in his court to have the longest stay at a club post-Bennett since Tim Sheens who won three titles with Canberra in a nine-year stint from 1988-1997.
Since then it has been slim pickings for coaches after the mastercoach. Rick Stone exited inside one year at Newcastle, Anthony Seibold was sacked during his second year at the Broncos after Ivan Henjak had earlier lasted two seasons.
Jason Demetriou was out the door in his third season after replacing Bennett at South Sydney while Steve Price was also removed in his third year at St George Illawarra.
Woolf is well positioned to defy the Bennett "curse" and prove the Dolphins' call to appoint him a masterstroke.
"It gave us great credibility and stability, and you've seen the fruits of that now," Reader said.
