TK's Black Book - Dolphins

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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