The Dolphins 2023 NRL Preview & Predictions

<p>New kids on the block or fresh meat ready to be feasted on? Either way you spin it, the Dolphins are about to embark on their maiden NRL voyage.</p> <p>As with most new franchises, little is expected of the Dolphins in their debut season, but can they prove everyone wrong and upset the natural order of the NRL?</p> <p>The peninsula outfit have enlisted master coach Wayne Bennett to lead them in their first foray in the NRL.</p> <p>A baptism of fire awaits in their opening game as they entertain competition heavyweights the Sydney Roosters at Suncorp Stadium.</p> <p>Will the Dolphins sink or swim in their first season? Read our 2023 season prediction for the Dolphins below.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Key Gains</h3> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><em>Uhhh everyone?</em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Being a brand spanking new NRL franchise means the Dolphins have a brand spanking new squad and every player is a gain, key or otherwise.</p> <p>Sean O’Sullivan, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Anthony Milford headline their recruitment drive.</p> <p>The biggest draw card for the Phins however, is unquestionably head coach Wayne Bennett. Widely considered to be the greatest coach of all time, Bennett is a renowned miracle worker and will undoubtedly be able to attract some big names to the club in the near future.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Key Losses</h3> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><em>Cameron Munster, Ryan Matterson, Reed Mahoney, Kayln Ponga</em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>It’s not who the Dolphins lost, it’s who they failed to sign that will sting their supporters.</p> <p>Effectively given a blank cheque, or at least an empty salary cap, the NRL’s newest franchise were linked with a host of superstars after their inception.</p> <p>These names included Cameron Munster, Reed Mahoney, Kayln Ponga and Ryan Matterson. Despite this, they failed to land a single marquee signing.</p> <p>Will their lack of genuine star power cost them dearly? Or are the solid, no-frills signings they’ve made enough to get the job done?</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Player To Watch</h3> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong><em>Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow</em></strong></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Mercurial flyer Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow or “the Hammer” as he is colloquially known, will bring some much-needed unpredictability and attacking flair to the Dolphins line-up.</p> <p>Signed from the Cowboys where he was stuck behind Scott Drinkwater, the Hammer will finally get the chance to be a full-time NRL fullback.</p> <p>With truly devastating pace and the ability to go past opposition defenders at will, Tabuai-Fidow showed glimpses of what he is capable of at the Cowboys.</p> <p>He even made his State of Origin debut for Queensland in 2021, playing and scoring in game three of that year’s series.</p> <p>At only 21 years of age, the sky's the limit for the Hammer and under the tutelage of Wayne Bennett, 2023 could be the year he announces himself as the game’s next superstar.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>The Dolphins’ Season Prediction</h3> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><em>Predicted finish: <strong>15th</strong></em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Heavily tipped to finish their debut season near the foot of the ladder, the good news is the pressure is well and truly off for the Dolphins.</p> <p>The bad news is - they’re going to finish their debut season near the foot of the ladder.</p> <p>Unfortunately, their squad simply isn’t up to the standard of most of the other teams in the NRL at the moment.</p> <p>Sean O’Sullivan proved he is a capable halfback after deputising for Nathan Cleary last season and their forward pack certainly is experienced.</p> <p>Apart from that, and the Hammer’s unrealised potential, there really isn’t a lot to like for the Redcliffe-based venture.</p> <p>Wayne Bennett will have his work cut out for him, but he has worked more than enough miracles in his day to still fill the Dolphin’s fanbase with some hope.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h3>Predicted Team For Round 1</h3> <p>&nbsp;</p> <ol> <li>Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow</li> <li>Jamayne Isaako</li> <li>Tesi Niu</li> <li>Oliver Gildart</li> <li>Edrick Lee</li> <li>Anthony Milford</li> <li>Sean O’Sullivan</li> <li>Jesse Bromwich</li> <li>Jeremy Marshall-King</li> <li>Thomas Gilbert</li> <li>Felise Kaufusi</li> <li>Kenny Bromwich</li> <li>Ray Stone</li> <li>Kodi Nikorima</li> <li>Euan Aiken</li> <li>Mark Nicholls</li> <li>Jarrod Wallace</li> </ol>