The Dolphins are getting closer and closer to playing finals football by the season, and could well be in a position to mount a proper challenge further up the ladder in the coming seasons.
A team on the rise, Kristian Woolf's side were decimated by injuries throughout 2025 and still managed a ninth place finish, missing the top eight by just two points.
Now three seasons into their journey, the Dolphins feel a little bit of injury luck away from taking a giant leap forward in their journey, and maybe just as importantly, the nucleus of their squad is locked away for the years to come.
There are certainly a handful of question marks over the way they will build, but the positive about being a team on the rise is that there will be players who want to go and play for the Redcliffe-based out.
It makes signing players for market value or less a real possibility, and could see the Dolphins make some handy pick ups for 2027 despite their salary cap being a little stretched thanks to the recent re-signing of Herbie Farnworth, as well as a number of top end contracts led by Isaiya Katoa and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow.
Current Dolphins 2027 squad
Jack Bostock, Kurt Donoghoe, Herbie Farnworth, John Fineanganofo, Kulikefu Finefeuiaki, Thomas Flegler, Tom Gilbert, Isaiya Katoa, Felise Kaufusi, Morgan Knowles, Jeremy Marshall-King, Tevita Naufahu, LJ Nonu, Max Plath, Elijah Rasmussen, Sebastian Su'a, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
Off-contract at the end of 2026
Jake Averillo, Selwyn Cobbo, Max Feagai, Trai Fuller, Jamayne Isaako, Oryn Keeley, Connely Lemuelu, Francis Molo, Kodi Nikorima, Daniel Saifiti (player option), Brad Schneider, Ray Stone, Lewis Symonds
Current best 17 for 2027
1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
2. Jack Bostock
3. Herbie Farnworth
4. Tevita Naufahu
5. LJ Nonu
6. John Fineanganofo
7. Isaiya Katoa
8. Thomas Flegler
9. Jeremy Marshall-King
10. Felise Kaufusi
11. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki
12. Tom Gilbert
13. Max Plath
Interchange
14. Kurt Donoghoe
15. Morgan Knowles
16. Sebastian Su'a
17. Elijah Rasmussen
The Dolphins look settled, but as indicated, there are certainly spots throughout the 17 they are going to be looking around the competition for improvements.
Their forward depth, right now at least, looks a little skinny. Sebastian Su'a and Elijah Rasmussen are far more likely to be on the fringe of first grade by the time 2027 rolls around, rather than actively sitting with spots on the bench week in and week out.
Felise Kaufusi's role is also up in the air as he approaches the end of his career.
Five-eighth is maybe the biggest concern for the Dolphins given the unlikely prospect of re-signing Kodi Nikorima, while the backline also needs re-enforcements.
In 2026, they are stacked, and could well look to re-sign some of their off-contract brigade which includes Selwyn Cobbo, Jake Averillo and Jamayne Isaako, but the longer they sit on their hands regarding that decision, the more likely it is the trio - who all either had excellent 2025 seasons, or have the potential to be great - will find homes elsewhere around the competition.
Option 4: Lindsay Smith (Penrith Panthers)
Maybe one of the bigger surprises for the Dolphins in recent times was the re-signing of Felise Kaufusi through to the end of 2027.
Despite struggling to hang onto a best 17 spot as he approaches the end of his career, he has added two years to his tenure at the Queensland-based club in what will surely be the final deal of his career.
His re-signing ensures the Dolphins retain his experience, but there is certainly a world where he plays next to no role in first-grade during 2027, and while the club will be hoping Thomas Flegler recovers from his shoulder injury that has kept him sidelined for the best part of two years, there is no doubt they will be looking for more.
Daniel Saifiti may yet take up an option to remain at the club, but there is also a fair chance he leaves.
Lindsay Smith has been tabled a long-term deal by the Panthers, but there is also a reasonable chance he explores his options.
The Dolphins have the cash to make a proper throw at the stumps for the Kangaroos squad member, and should do so from November 1.
