We've reached the halfway point of the 2025 NRL season, and the competition is still tighter than ever. Just six points separate 5th place from last, meaning the Top 8 could look very different come finals time.
With all 17 clubs still in the hunt for a playoff berth, one thing is clear: no side in this competition is invincible.
What is the chink in your club's armor? We analyse every club's kryptonite as we inch closer to finals footy.
13Dolphins: A true veteran leader
The Dolphins have produced glimpses of brilliance throughout their 2025 campaign, as their halfback Isaiya Katoa begins to grow into his own as an out-and-out NRL star.
It's been an impressive season for rookie coach Kristian Woolfe, but without a true veteran presence in the locker room, will the Dolphins look like a fish out of water come finals time?
In the last few weeks leading to the midway point of the season, the Dolphins have shown they are capable of making the Top 8, with stars like Katoa, Herbie Farnworth, and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow all elevating this side when it needs it.
The only issue is a potential lack of guidance. Having lost guys like Wayne Bennett, Jesse Bromwich, and Kenny Bromwich over the last few seasons, this young Dolphins squad has looked to Katoa and Farnworth for motivation.
While the pair have delivered so far, neither is experienced in leading a side to the Promised Land, which may be a harsh reality that the club must face if they are suiting up in October.
