Dolphins party at Redcliffe for fans, legends

The dream may have been to play finals, but the Dolphins can hold their heads up high as the NRL’s highest scoring team in the 2025 regular season on 721 points. It follows a massive win over the Raiders at their spiritual home.

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It was the perfect thank-you to their loyal fans and farewell to some club legends including Mark Nicholls, Kenny Bromwich and Josh Kerr.

The Dolphins, wearing their heritage jersey, beat the minor premiers 62-24 at a sold-out Kayo Stadium, which was a sea of red, white and gold.

The fans loved it and the players appeared to enjoy the moment, despite the disappointment of finishing ninth on the ladder and missing the chance to play finals footy.

“It was important that we came out today and played well, and played for a result,” Dolphins NRL Head Coach Kristian Woolf said.

“It was great seeing a full house there, we love playing at Kayo, playing in front of our fans ... the real fans who live here and support us all the time.

“It was just really important for ourselves ... we obviously had an opportunity to make sure that we got the best result the club’s got in terms of wins and where we sit on the ladder and get over a bit of disappointment. We had to come up with a good result and we did.”

Woolf said the squad was pleased to win the game in convincing fashion and send out departing players out on a high note.

“They’re happy with the result today, obviously. There’s so many things that we can be happy about through the year,” he said.

“There’s obviously a fair bit of disappointment there because we know that we’ve got a team and a squad that can certainly play higher. We weren’t good enough to do that and that’s why we’re disappointed but we’re also saying goodbye to a number of guys and a couple of guys who have had a massive impact and Mark Nicholls being one of those.

“Everyone wanted to make sure they sent them off with a good night.”

Nicholls had an afternoon to remember. First there was the roar of the crowd – many were on their feet – as he ran out onto the field in the second half, then there was a try just moments later which was followed by his own successful conversion kick.

“I got goosebumps when I ran out ... obviously the ground started cheering ... I could feel it behind me as I ran on to the field,” he said.

“Sometimes rugby league is a bit poetic ... I got the touch and straight away I got a try in front of the crowd (at the northern end) ... Jamayne said, ‘do you want to kick it’ and luckily it was in front.

“I don’t think Woolfy was real happy with it ... there were still about 30 minutes to go and (we) probably started the party a little bit too early. As soon as we scored the next try out on the sidelines, I said to Jamayne, ‘you can have it back mate’.

“I kicked a few goals in 20s, so it just brought me back to my heyday, I guess.”

In the game that had almost everything, the only sour note for the Dolphins and fans was a suspected MCL (knee) injury to Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow in the second half.

Woold said it was not yet clear how severe the injury is.

“It’s a good sign that he walked off and looked pretty comfortable walking off, so I don’t think it’s going to be a major drama but exactly what timeline ... I’m not sure,” he said.

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By Dominika Lis