The Dolphins were the NRL's best attacking team in 2025, and enter 2026 looking to play finals for the first time.

Now three years into their journey as the NRL's 17th side, the Dolphins have narrowly missed the top eight in each of the last two campaigns, but certainly have all the tools to go a step further than they have to date.

But the Dolphins face numerous big selection calls heading into 2026.

An enormous injury ward over the last 12 months will do that. Youngsters have broken out and others need to make their returns.

Add all that to a couple of key off-season recruits, including Selwyn Cobbo from the Broncos and English forward Morgan Knowles from St Helens, and it's not difficult to understand where the headaches are about to be.

Here are the key Dolphins' selection questions heading into 2026.

Who plays at fullback?

The emergence of Trai Fuller means the previously uncontested number one jumper at the Dolphins is now well and truly up for debate.

Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow is an Origin calibre fullback, but in the same breath, he has played plenty of representative football in the centres.

Maybe more importantly, he played the role superbly for the Dolphins at times in each of the last two years when he has been moved, allowing for Fuller to play in the number one.

It's a genuine conundrum for Kristian Woolf, particularly considering the number of other options the Dolphins have around the backline.

The other issue for the Redcliffe-based outfit is that this is a contract year for Fuller. He is so talented that they will want to fight to retain his signature. The only way they are going to do that is by giving him consistent minutes at fullback.

Where does Selwyn Cobbo fit in?

One of the more intriguing off-season signings is that of Selwyn Cobbo, who makes the trip north from the Brisbane Broncos.

There is no doubt he needed a fresh start given his form at the Broncos, but there is also no doubt around the potential he possesses. Cobbo has it in spades. That is evident by his previous State of Origin performances, which came on the back of consistent club performances.

While there is next to no chance of Cobbo playing fullback at the Dolphins, he proved at the Broncos that he can play on the wing or in the centres.

If Tabuai-Fidow doesn't play at the back, then he will be one centre, with Herbie Farnworth the other. That is non-negotiable.

It leaves Cobbo fighting for a wing spot - and there is likely only one vacant with goal kicker Jamayne Isaako to start.

Jack Bostock starts the year on the sidelines as he recovers from an ACL injury, which might be the way for Cobbo into the side. Exactly where he fits as the season goes on remains to be seen.

Does Kodi Nikorima hang on at five-eighth?

Kodi Nikorima is entering the final year of his current deal at the Dolphins, but is coming off what is likely a career-best season.

He was, after all, the five-eighth in the team who scored more points than any other.

Most of the credit went the way - and rightly so - of Isaiya Katoa, but it would be a difficult argument to suggest Nikorima did much wrong.

Yet, he is no guarantee to start 2026.

The issue for the Dolphins is that Jake Averillo didn't exactly have a poor season, but the emergence of Fuller, signing of Cobbo, and the return of Bostock is likely to leave him without a spot in the back five.

Averillo is one of the game's genuine backline utilities, and there could well be an argument to be made for him starting the year at six. Watch this space.

Flegler, Gilbert and Plath return. Where do they play?

The forward pack for the Dolphins will see the return of Thomas Gilbert and Max Plath, as well as, hopefully for the first time in almost two years, Thomas Flegler.

The returns are much needed for the Dolphins, but will leave some players missing the side.

There is almost no doubt Plath will be the first-choice lock, and Gilbert in the second-row, while Flegler slots into the front-row if able to return from his long-term shoulder issue.

That means only one of Daniel Saifiti or Francis Molo can start, while the likes of English international Morgan Knowles, former Queensland representative Felise Kaufusi and young gun Kulikefu Finefeuiaki are all fighting over one starting spot.

Another of those guys, as well as either Saifiti or Molo, will feature on the bench, with the likes of Ray Stone, Oryn Keeley (who has agreed to join the Storm for 2027) and Connelly Lemuelu are all in danger of missing out.

Who is the utility?

Kurt Donoghoe did a superb job last year for the Dolphins, and eventually wound up in the starting side owing to injuries.

Able to play hooker, lock, or other positions in a pinch, it's tough to mount an argument that he shouldn't start 2026 as the utility for Kristian Woolf's side.

Some of the selection headaches in the backline touched on earlier though mean either Jake Averillo or Kodi Nikorima could well miss the 17.

Both have excellent versatility, but there may not be room for both of them in the side.

You could make an argument that the bench can run with Donoghoe and one of the other duo, but it's just another headache for Woolf to come to a decision on this off-season.