The Dolphins have confirmed Lewis Symonds, Zac Garton and Kilarney Lavender have secured upgraded contracts in the NRL Top 30 for 2027 onwards.
Symonds, who made his NRL debut in Round 8 this year against the Warriors, joins Garton to extend until the end of the 2028 season.
The Dolphins NRLQ (Under-21s) side pushed to the Grand Final under Symonds' captaincy, but came up short against the Cowboys in the big dance.
He was called up to the Central Queensland Capras, marking 14 appearances and playing big minutes throughout 2026 in the engine room.
Garton will be promoted to the Top 30 after being on a development contract during 2026.
He has continued to ply his trade across the Dolphins system through his work in the back row and lock, notching eight games for the Capras this year.
He has the strongest opportunity to push for an NRL debut now he has secured a place in the NRL top 30 for next season.
Meanwhile, Lavender's upgrade will see him remain in Redcliffe until the turn of the decade, putting pen to paper on a deal until the end of 2030.
He came off the bench for the Queensland Maroons Under-19s last year in their thrilling one-point victory over NSW.
The year prior, Lavender represented Queensland City Under-17s in a commanding 50-24 victory.
Lavender had a dominating 2026 NRLQ campaign in the centres for the Dolphins as he develops swiftly to push for an NRL debut.
His four-year deal will advance him heavily into NRL conversations in 2027, especially given the exit of Jamayne Isaako at the end of this year, freeing up space on the backline.
“And that club, I reckon they could be the Melbourne Storm of the next 10-15 years. That long a dominance, Johns said on SEN The Run Home with Joel and Fletch.
“I went through; they (Daily Telegraph) had a thing about the top 100 young players coming through the grades and the pathways.
“Mate, I reckon the Dolphins had 40 or 50. They're a powerhouse club.”
Looking at the Dolphins' powerful junior nursery, it's no wonder many are tipping future success for the NRL's latest expansion side.
It immediately sparks similarities to the Panthers' elite junior programs, which churned out elite NRL talent who eventually dominated the league with four straight premierships.
The NRL side will host the Sydney Roosters on Friday night for a place in the Grand Final, only four years into their existence as an NRL franchise, a fantastic feat.
