TK's simple guide to the Dolphins fantasy prospects for 2025.
The Dolphins had a solid 2024 campaign and sat in the top 8 for the majority of the season before losing steam. Uncle Wayne Bennett departs to the Bunnies and they will be led by Kristian Woolfe who has been waiting in the wings.
Prediction - Will push close to a finals debut.
Dolphins 2025 Player Movements
2025 Gains |
Max Feagai (St George Illawarra Dragons, 2026), Kulikefu Finefeuiaki (North Queensland Cowboys, 2027), Daniel Saifiti (Newcastle Knights, 2027), Junior Tupou (Wests Tigers, 2027) |
2025 Loses |
Euan Aitken (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Jesse Bromwich (retired), Lachlan Hubner (South Sydney Rabbitohs), Edrick Lee (retired), Anthony Milford (Souths Logan Magpies), Tesi Niu (Leigh Leopards), Tevita Pangai Junior (Catalans Dragons), Valynce Te Whare (rugby union) |
The back line picks itself. Could be some movement in the middle, Plath's breakthrough year could see him start. Tom Gilbert could start in a number of positions in his return from injury. A bit of competition on the edge, Keely could be bolter in this spot ahead of Lemuelu who is returning from off season surgery.
The Draw and Game Day Squad
Byes - round 13, 18, 21
Game Day Squad allows a true focus on weekly match ups. I would be looking to load up on the likes of the Hammer, Issako and Herbie in the following match ups:
NRL Fantasy perspective
Have a deeply placed first bye into the first major bye round. The positive is the team also plays the two other major bye rounds of 12 and 15.
Fantasy relevant players for round 1 - Kulikefu Finefeauiaki, Oryn Keely, Tom Gilbert
2025 NRL Fantasy Fortunes (slide across for full notes)
Player | Price | NRL Fantasy Av | GameDay Squad Av | Notes |
Herbie Farnworth | $734K | 55 | 55.9 | Best centre in the NRL. Work up to him no reason to start with him |
Max Plath | $695K | 52 | 50.5 | With Gilbert back may see a return to the bench or some minutes decline. Still relevant if they cop injuries or if he does start at 13. |
Trai Fuller | $665K | 49.8 | 56.4 | One for 2024 as is now fully priced and would need to move Hammer to the centres. |
Thomas Flegler | $644K | 48.3 | 48.1 | Looks likely to miss another large chunk of the season. Even if he returns would likely be a limited role till he gets back to full fitness. Avoid |
Jeremy Marshall-King | $590K | 44.2 | 40.6 | 49 average when playing 70+ mins. Has sustained some injuries in the last couple of years. If Plath is on the bench, look to avoid. |
Hamison Tabuai-Fidow | $589K | 44.1 | 51.5 | One of the best players to watch his offensive abilty. Would likely be fully priced so avoid. |
Isaiya Katoa | $552K | 41.3 | 39.9 | Should continue to improve. Only 6 games above 50 fantasy points however does has good kicking stats. If he can up his try assists would be relevant. Watchlist |
Jamayne Isaako | $510K | 38.2 | 44.2 | Huge decline of 12 fantasy points with his try scoring halving. You woul dhave to believe the Phins will go a on a huge roll to start the season to back him. |
Connolly Lemuelu | $503K | 37.7 | 33.5 | Likely priced at his potential. Avoid |
Mark Nicholls | $482K | 36.1 | 35.2 | Likely priced at his potential. Avoid |
Jake Averillo | $457K | 34.3 | 33.4 | Small uptick with a very consistent NRL season. Unlikely to improve. Avoid |
Daniel Saifiti | $448K | 33.6 | 32.3 | 38.8 average from 48 mins when starting in 2024 so has a few points of value, however not enough to start with him from round 1. |
Felise Kaufusi | $439K | 32.9 | 31.1 | Likely to move permantently to the middle. Will likely just be around the same numbers |
Ray Stone | $422K | 31.6 | 29 | Slight upside if he starts at lock but would be behind Gilbert and Plath for that role. Avoid |
Kenny Bromwich | $421K | 31.5 | 29.1 | In a decline towards the back end of his career. Never been fantasy relevant any way. Avoid |
Jack Bostock | $414K | 31 | 34.2 | Nice start to the year before a massive decline to end the year. Is priced at potential so avoid |
Kodi Nikorima | $409K | 30.7 | 30.7 | Priced at potential with limited upside. Avoid |
Josh Kerr | $403K | 30.2 | 27.2 | Be pushing just to make the team. Avoid |
Tesi Niu | TBA | 29.7 | 30.8 | Had some not bad numbers heading into the 2024 season but significantly let down all those who took the punt. Avoid |
Kulikefu Finefeauiaki | $400K | 29.4 | 28.5 | Signed from the Cowboys and would be favourite to land an edge role. 12 starts on an edge at the Cows with a 38.6 average so clear value. Defensive issues held back his scoring and should improve in a regular starting role. BUY if he starts just dont expect the world. |
Max Feagai | $375K | 28.1 | 30 | Will put pressure on Bostock for a starting role. Never been fantasy relevant even if he does. Avoid |
Junior Tupou | $362K | 27.1 | 30.4 | Will put pressure on Bostock for a starting role. Big frame and should continue to improve, however won't be relevant unless he picks up his try scoring strike rate. |
Sean O'Sullivan | $450K | 26.2 | 25.7 | Likely needs an injury to start in the halves. 3 game Halfback av 44.7, so will present value if he gets the starts but next to Katoa not much upside. |
Oryn Keely | $347K | 26 | 24.5 | Would be an outsider to start on an edge but there is a role for the taking. 4 games above 30 mins has a 34.8 av from 45 mins and had a strong stint in the Q Cup in 15 games had a 52.9 average |
Kurt Donoghoe | $250K | 18 | 16 | Utility player that doesn't have a locked position in the NRL. Unlikely to be more than a number 14. |
Mason Teague | TBA | 7 | 6.7 | Limited opportunities in the NRL. Q Cup had 21 games for a 40.1 average. Fantasy relevant game but unlikely to get the minutes. |
Tom Gilbert | $500K | 0 | 0 | Despite his long injury layoff is well priced. Given his dual, would give some serious consideration but I do have some reservations around his minutes early in the season so would prefer to watch here. |
Harrison Graham | $350K | 0 | 0 | Was fantasy relevant in 2023 but failed to play a game in 2024 with JMK and Plath perfered at hooker. 17 games in the Q Cup for a 33.6 average. |
James Walsh | $230K | 0 | 0 | Young back rower who would be well behind on the depth chart. 8 Qcup games for only a modest 29.6 av. Avoid |
Michael Waqa | $230K | 0 | 0 |
Comments