How one star ‘lost his way’ amid Dolphins collapse

Dolphins: 2023 finish: 13th | 2024 finish: 10th
For the second straight season, the demanding NRL schedule just proved too much for the NRL’s new chums.
The Dolphins looked like finals contenders for the first half of the season – just as they did in their inaugural year in 2023 – before crashing and burning.
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Injuries hit them hard in the run home and they won just four of their last 14 games.
Dolphins coach Wayne Bennett. NRL Photos
Despite the collapse, they were in the hunt until the last game of the regular season, going down to the Knights away 14-6 in a brave finale.
Lack of depth hurt the club but considering they were only in their second season, that is to be expected and they can still hold their heads up high.
They played a bright, breezy brand of football, throwing the ball around fearlessly, much to the delight of their fans.
The freakish Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow again showed himself to be one of the league’s real crowd pleasers, zooming over for 15 tries in 16 games – many of them length of the field efforts.
Emerging winger Jack Bostock (14), flying winger Jamayne Isaako (12), the versatile Jake Averillo (11) and new boy Herbie Farnworth (8) were also regulars on the tryscoring sheet in an indication of the free-flowing style that proved the Dolphins’ strength.
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Pint-sized fullback Trai Fuller was among the finds of the season and his fearless running quickly made him a fan favourite.
Trai Fuller emerged as a star for the Dolphins this year.  Getty
Utility back Kodi Nikorima enjoyed one of his best seasons and young half Isaiya Katoa had a great start to the year but lost confidence as the losses piled up.
In the forwards, the Bromwich brothers gave great service and Jesse, who is retiring, will be missed. Injuries cruelled the Phins up front with marquee signing Thomas Flegler playing just four games and busy prop Jarrod Wallace two.
Max Plath was one of the league’s most improved players in a breakout season and veteran Mark Nicholls was reliable and strong.
Ray Stone was another who excelled while the departing Tevita Pangai Jr managed just nine games and made little impact.
Hooker Jeremy Marshall-King was among the most effective dummy-halves in the comp until injury struck mid-season and it’s no coincidence that his absence came at the same time the team lost its way.
The big challenge in 2025 will be handling life after Wayne Bennett, something many clubs have struggled with, but Kristian Woolf is a fine coach who will handle the step up.
Best player: With 15 tries from 16 games, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow established himself as one of the most deadly attacking weapons in the NRL in 2024.
Dolphins star Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow. Getty
Needs to lift: Isaiya Katoa is an emerging playmaker but lost his way over the course of a long season. Another good off season should help hone his game management skills.
Key signing: Kulikefu Finefeuiaki showed himself to be a young forward with plenty of promise at the Cowboys and is a fine pick-up for the Phins.
2025 gains: Junior Tupou (Wests Tigers), Kulikefu Finefeuiaki (Cowboys)
2025 losses: Tevita Pangai Junior (Catalans), Euan Aitken (Rabbitohs), Jesse Bromwich (retired), Lachlan Hubner (Rabbitohs)