Lemuelu: ‘I just want to stay here’

Foundation NRL Dolphin Connelly Lemuelu reveals why he wants to be a Dolphin long-term, after signing a one-year contract extension.

The 27-year-old spoke to the media after preseason training this morning, as news broke of the deal which will keep him at the club he loves until at least the end of the 2027 NRL season.

Lemuelu has earnt a place in club history, scoring the try that put the Dolphins ahead for the very first time in their inaugural 28-18 victory over the Roosters in the club’s foundation year.

Since then, he has built a reputation as a powerful and reliable edge forward.

Now with 61 appearances in Dolphins’ colours, Lemuelu’s strike in attack has improved, with a career-best nine tries during the 2025 season.

His impact on the edge has been a key feature of the club’s growth, cementing his status as one of the Dolphins’ most damaging back rowers.

“I’ve been part of this club since it started and to be able to stay here for another year ... extend my time here ... is definitely something I’m excited about,” Lemuelu said.

“We’ve got good people on the field and behind the scenes as well. Everyone just pushes each other to be better. That’s definitely something I want to be a part of. Another reason is my family love it here. We’re settled in the area. We just want to stay here.”

Lemuelu said his game has developed a great deal since making the move to Redcliffe.

“I was a fringe first-grader with the Cowboys before I moved down. Since coming here, I feel like I’ve established myself as an NRL player,” he said.

“I’m approaching 100 games this year, so fingers crossed I get to knock that milestone off. We’ve had good people with Wayne (Bennett) and Woolfy’s come in now ... I’m just learning a lot and hoping to be better every year.”

He is working hard, this preseason, to push for a regular starting spot in the side.

“I’ve obviously got to be fitter, work on my defence. I feel like my attack sort of comes naturally, so just getting my fitness right and getting the defensive side of my game right ... that will put me in good stead.”

Dolphins’ chief executive Terry Reader said Lemuelu’s extension reflected his importance in the club’s future direction.

“Connelly’s performances have improved every year and that is just one of the reasons we were so keen to extend his contract,” Reader said.

“He is a dangerous player on the edge for us and with 85 NRL matches to his name now, we believe his best football is just ahead of him.

“We are excited about what Connelly can continue to add to our pack this upcoming season and with so many of our injured forwards returning, members and fans have real reasons to be excited about our 2026 NRL campaign.”

Connelly will take his place in a forwards’ roster that is slated to include the return from long-term injuries of Captain Tom Gilbert, Origin-experienced props Thomas Flegler and Daniel Saifiti as well as Max Plath.

The Dolphins have also added English Test lock Morgan Knowles, as well as Selwyn Cobbo from the Broncos and Penrith utility Brad Schneider.

With greater depth for season 2026, competition for positions will be tougher than ever.

“We’ve got a good squad. Our top 30 is very strong, With the boys who have had long-term injuries coming back, the likes of Flegler and Gilbert, it definitely makes it a bit harder,” Lemuelu said.

“That just pushes everyone to be better and to be at their best. Competition’s always a good thing for these sides and pushing towards playing September footy.

“We’ve got the squad for it. We all know how each other plays now. We’re pretty comfortable with each other. We scored the most points in the comp last year ... if we fix up the defensive side, we’ll put ourselves in a good spot to go all the way.”