The Dolphins are cementing a deal in place to have Kristian Woolf remain at the club long-term after a brilliant opening stanza to their NRL existence.
AAP is reporting both parties are set to agree to the extension, which will be finalised when the Dolphins' season concludes.
Woolf is off-contract after 2027, but rival clubs won't get a look-in as Dolphins chief executive Terry Reader wants to strike promptly to keep him in Redcliffe.
"That's something that will be taken care of quite quickly," Reader told AAP.
"Our intention is for him to be a long-term coach at our club, and that's his intention as well."
Woolf was assistant to Wayne Bennett from the early days of the franchise in 2023, but was always the succession plan following the super coach's return to South Sydney ahead of the 2025 season.
It left Woolf with the keys to the Dolphins ship, and he has heavily impressed since he's taken on full-time coaching of the club.
Reader is a huge fan of the work Woolf has done in his time in the Super League, along with the international experience he has notched up over the years taking charge of Tonga as it developed into one of the strongest rugby league nations.
"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."
The Dolphins are on the cusp of playing in a Grand Final in just their fourth year since entering the NRL.
It explains the incredible buy-in from the players and the respect they have for their coach.
Lewis Symonds, Zac Garton and Kilarney Lavender have all secured upgraded contracts in the NRL Top 30 for 2027 onwards.
The hype is certainly building in Redcliffe, but they face a formidable opponent in the Sydney Roosters in the Preliminary Final on Friday.
Momentum is building surrounding Sam Walker's fitness, who is looking likely to take his place in the match after he was spotted at training on Monday.
Regardless, it shapes as a blockbuster clash between two clubs who are set to feature heavily in many Septembers moving forward.
The winner will book a spot in the big dance for the first weekend of October, before Penrith and Newcastle square off on Sunday for the second Preliminary Final.
