The_Dolphins_(NRL)

Dolphins (NRL)

Dolphins (NRL)

Australian Rugby League club, based in Brisbane


The Dolphins are a professional rugby league football team, based in the Redcliffe Peninsula area of the City of Moreton Bay (which is part of the greater Brisbane area of South East Queensland),[6] that competes in the Australian National Rugby League (NRL).

Quick Facts Club information, Full name ...

Launched as a bid for inclusion into the NRL by Queensland Cup side Redcliffe Dolphins in 2020, the Dolphins were granted a separate licence in October 2021 to compete as the national league's 17th side from the 2023 season onwards. It is the fourth NRL team in the state of Queensland, including the North Queensland Cowboys based in Townsville, and the third team in South East Queensland along with the Brisbane Broncos and Gold Coast Titans, who were previously the last team to join the NRL competition in 2007.

History

In 2020, coinciding with the opening of a new Moreton Daily Stadium[7] (known as Kayo Stadium from 7 December 2022),[8] the Redcliffe Dolphins launched a bid on 22 September 2020 for the inclusion of a separate new team in the national competition. On 13 October 2021, the 17th NRL licence was granted to the Dolphins after they competed for it against two other consortiums (the Brisbane Firehawks and Brisbane Jets) also linked to existing Queensland Cup clubs.[9] Wayne Bennett was signed as the inaugural NRL coach.[10] On 26 November 2021, the Dolphins made their first major signing for their 2023 entry, recruiting Felise Kaufusi from the Melbourne Storm.[11] Not long after, he was joined by Storm team mates, Jesse Bromwich (who was named as the Dolphins inaugural team captain in February 2023)[12] and his brother Kenny Bromwich. Although separately licensed, the Dolphins NRL venture is owned by the Redcliffe Dolphins and is their fully professional spin-off club.[13]

In December 2021, it was confirmed that Queensland Rugby League (QRL) team the Central Queensland Capras had secured a full affiliation deal with the Dolphins.[14] The Capras and Dolphins deal should see up to six Dolphins NRL players compete for the Capras in the Queensland Cup competition each week.[15] In May 2022, the PNG Hunters announced a strategic pathways partnership with the Dolphins that includes full NRL pre-season participation for four young Papua New Guinean players, beginning in the PNGNRL Digicel Cup, through to the PNG Hunters in the QRL state competition and then directly into the Australian NRL system.[16]

On 7 November 2022, the inaugural pre-season training for 2023 began.[17] Pre-season trial matches were played against the Central Queensland Capras at Marley Brown Oval in Gladstone on 4 February 2023[18] (the Dolphins won 24–8),[19] against the North Queensland Cowboys at Barlow Park in Cairns on 12 February[20] (the Dolphins drew 22–22),[21] and the Gold Coast Titans on 19 February[22][23] at Kayo Stadium (the Titans won 40–16).[24]

Dolphins NRL inaugural head coach Wayne Bennett

On 10 November 2022, the NRL officially released the 2023 fixtures.[25][26] This included the Dolphins' first NRL match,[27] against the Sydney Roosters[28] on 5 March 2023 at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane to honour rugby league Immortal Arthur (Artie) Beetson, a former player and coach of both the Redcliffe Dolphins and the Roosters.[25][29][30] The Dolphins won 28–18 in front of a crowd of 32,177 fans.[31][32] Jesse Bromwich captained the side.[33] Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow scored the Dolphins' first points with a try.[34] Subsequent points were added by Mark Nicholls (one try), Connelly Lemuelu (one try) and Jamayne Isaako (two tries and four conversion goals).[35] The Artie Legacy Medal for player of the match was awarded to Felise Kaufusi.[36] Prior to NRL Round 7 2023, the combined leading try-scorers for the Dolphins are Jamayne Isaako and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, both on 8 tries.Players

In round 3 of the 2023 NRL season, Tesi Niu became the first player in the Dolphins NRL history to score a hat-trick when they defeated the Newcastle Knights 36–20 at McDonald Jones Stadium.[37] After winning their first three NRL matches,[26] the Dolphins hosted their first Battle for Brisbane derby in Round 4 at Suncorp Stadium on Friday 24 March 2023 and were defeated 18–12[38] by the Brisbane Broncos.[39][38] On Friday 7 April 2023 in the Dolphins' round 6 victory 32–22 against the North Queensland Cowboys at Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow equalled a 115-year-old NRL record, scoring tries in six straight matches for a new club.[40] In round 8 on 23 April 2023, the Dolphins equalled the greatest comeback in premiership history to defeat the Gold Coast Titans 28–26 at Suncorp Stadium, after trailing the Titans 26–0 after the first twenty-six minutes. The record for a winning comeback in premiership history dating to 1908 was set in 1998, when the North Queensland Cowboys went from being down 26–0 to defeating the Penrith Panthers 36–28 at full-time.[41]

In Round 9 of the 2023 NRL season, the Dolphins played their first golden point game but lost 30–31 to the Canberra Raiders at McDonalds[42] Park, Wagga Wagga.[43] The NRL later conceded that match officials missed a crucial knock-on call late in Canberra's golden-point victory when the former regained possession after knocking the ball into the arm of a Dolphins' player.[44] "The NRL's head of football Graham Annesley said referee Peter Gough was obscured in his view of the knock on, but the sideline officials should have pulled the play up." Nevertheless, Annesley advised that no policy changes could be considered until the current season is over.[45]

In Round 13 of the 2023 NRL season, an illegal try on the seventh tackle of a set was awarded to the St. George Illawarra Dragons in their 26–12 loss to the Dolphins at Kayo Stadium; the decision would not have been overturned even if the Dolphins had lost the game.[46]

By the end of the Dolphins' inaugural season, goal-kicking winger Jamayne Isaako recorded both the highest number of NRL tries and points in the 2023 competition; a feat last achieved by Canberra Raiders goal-kicking centre Mal Meninga in 1990.[47] At the Dolphins' Inaugural Presentation Ball held at Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre in September 2023, Isaako was awarded the Arthur Beetson Medal Player of the Year as well as the Best Back, the Most Consistent, and the Players' Player awards.[48]

Name and colours

Dolphins NRL 2024 home and away jerseys (front view)
NRL Indigenous Round 12
Dolphins jersey 2023 (front view)

The Dolphins retained the red and white of their Queensland Cup counterparts, with gold added to the colour scheme[49] to avoid a clash with NRL club St. George Illawarra Dragons. Otherwise, the 'Redcliffe' name is not being used in an effort to broaden appeal nationally beyond the local region.[9][50]

After a fan vote in July 2022, "Phinny" the Dolphin was confirmed as the club's NRL mascot.[51] Sandy, a companion mascot, was later revealed.[52] During a pre-season training camp, senior players composed a team theme song.[53] Separately, the team catchphrase and hashtag is 'Phins Up' (#PhinsUp).[54]

Jerseys

On 27 October 2021, the Dolphins unveiled a heritage jersey design, inspired by the Redcliffe Dolphins jersey from the 1980s. The design is predominantly red, with white sleeves and a gold trim.[55] On 2 October 2022, the debut home jersey design for 2023 was unveiled just prior to kick-off of the 2022 NRL Grand Final at Accor Stadium in Sydney.[56] The inaugural away jersey was released on 11 November.[57] Otherwise, the team training shirt is predominantly black in colour.[58]

Sponsors and kit manufacturers

More information Year, Kit manufacturer ...

In April 2023, Brisbane law firm Gnech and Associates Lawyers joined on an initial two-year agreement as the official Legal Practice Partner of the Dolphins' NRL club.[64] In August 2023, the Dolphins announced global miner Anglo American as "its newest Premier Partner from 2024, as well as the club’s official Mining Partner, and a Community Partner".[65]

Team song


We are the Dolphins
The red, white and gold
From Brissy to CQ
The young and the old

Sing it loud
And put up your phins
We are the mighty mighty Dolphins

Born ready to win
To make the fans proud
We take on the battle
And light up the crowd

Sing it loud
And put up your phins
We are the mighty mighty Dolphins

We are the mighty mighty Dolphins
We are the mighty mighty Dolphins
We are the mighty mighty Dolphins

Sing it loud
And put up your phins
We are the mighty mighty Dolphins[66]

2024 League table

More information Pos, Pld ...
Updated to match(es) played on 28 April 2024. Source: Official NRL Ladder for 2024 Premiership Season

Players

More information Top 30 squad – 2024 NRL season, Supplementary list ...


2023 signings

Pre-season training commenced 7 November 2022,[56][69] with 7 December designated as the inaugural open training session for fans and the general public to attend.[70] In their first NRL match,[71] the Dolphins defeated the Sydney Roosters 28–18[72] on 5 March 2023 at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane.[25][28]

More information Player, Previous Club ...

2024 signings

Statistics and records

For a list of Dolphins team and individual records since they entered the NRL in 2023:[114]

Head-to-head records

Statistics after Round 8 2024

More information Opponent, Played ...
More information Games, Wins ...

Statistics after Round 8 2024

Home grounds

The Dolphins play most of their twelve home games at the 52,500-capacity Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, with a few other matches at Sunshine Coast Stadium and Kayo Stadium,[8] which also serves as a training and administration base.[115] The redevelopment of Browne Park in Rockhampton may also see occasional Dolphins' games at that venue.[15]

Affiliations and junior clubs

Queensland Cup affiliates
Central Queensland Capras
Norths Devils
PNG Hunters
Redcliffe Dolphins

BRL affiliates
Brighton Roosters
Pine Rivers Bears

Regional affiliates
Wide Bay & Bundaberg Region[116]

Mal Meninga Cup (U18), Cyril Connell Cup (U16) and Harvey Norman (U19 girls) affiliates
Central Queensland Capras
Norths Devils
Redcliffe Dolphins
Wide Bay Bulls

Local junior clubs
A list of Junior Rugby League clubs within the Dolphins area. In brackets, JRL teams fielded in 2022.

Albany Creek Crushers (20)
Brighton Roosters (23)
Burpengary Jets (33)
Dayboro Cowboys (13)
Moreton Bay Raiders (14)
Narangba Rangers (23)
North Lakes Kangaroos (21)
Pine Central Holy Spirit Hornets (37)
Pine Rivers Bears (19)
Redcliffe Dolphins (45)
Samford Stags (15)
Valleys Diehards (21)

Beachmere Pelicans (3 – U13 & above)
Bribie Island Warrigals (8 – U13 & above)
Caboolture Snakes (13 – U13 & above)

Further notes

  1. The official brand name of the new club team competing in the NRL from 2023 onwards is 'Dolphins'. Although the official company name of the parent club remains the "Redcliffe District Rugby League Football Club Inc" and the name 'Redcliffe Dolphins' was dropped, the old squad still competing separately in the Queensland state competition remains branded as the "Redcliffe Dolphins".[1][2] The NRL-bid director for the team (Terry Reader) said in 2021 that they "...had to be careful about how we name it because we don't want to alienate anyone and we want to make sure we have the biggest reach." He added that: "We want to make sure we've got broader appeal and whether that's a more contemporary look and feel, it's because we're a national NRL club and the Redcliffe Dolphins will remain and play in the Q-Cup."[3]
  2. Debut 2023 home jersey design differs to this illustration.

References

  1. Brunsdon, Simon (13 October 2021). "The Dolphins, NRL defend dropping 'Redcliffe' from their name". Nine Network. Retrieved 21 September 2022.
  2. Hytner, Mike (21 October 2021). "Wayne Bennett confirmed as Dolphins' inaugural NRL coach". The Guardian. The Guardian Australia. Retrieved 21 September 2022.
  3. Gould, Joel (22 September 2020). "Dolphins bid 'NRL-ready' with new stadium complete". NRL.com. Retrieved 17 October 2021.
  4. Kennedy, Chris (13 October 2021). "NRL-ready for 2023: Reasons behind Dolphins' successful bid". NRL.com. Retrieved 17 October 2021.
  5. Proszenko, Michael (13 October 2021). "NRL open to adding 18th team after Dolphins get nod as new Brisbane club". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 17 October 2021.
  6. "Dolphins snare Kaufusi in first major signing". National Rugby League. 26 November 2021. Retrieved 26 November 2021.
  7. AAP (3 February 2023). "Bromwich named inaugural Dolphins captain". Retrieved 20 April 2023.
  8. "Dolphins granted licence to become NRL's 17th team in 2023". National Rugby League. 12 October 2021. Retrieved 13 October 2021.
  9. Emerton, Liam (1 December 2021). "Dolphins swimming with CQ talent". Central Queensland Today. Star News Group. Retrieved 4 February 2022.
  10. Dick, Callum; Mobbs, Adam (4 February 2023). "Rising stars push case for NRL minutes in Broncos onslaught". codesports. Retrieved 6 March 2023.
  11. "'The Hammer' scores Dolphins first NRL try". Sydney Morning Herald. 5 March 2023.
  12. "McDonalds Park". 10 August 2022.
  13. "NRL concedes error on crucial golden point call". Archived from the original on 1 May 2023. Retrieved 1 May 2023.
  14. "Emotional Isaako sweeps Dolphins awards". The Dolphins. 7 September 2023.
  15. "The New Dolphin". Archived from the original on 9 March 2023. Retrieved 9 March 2023.
  16. "Dolphins confirm inaugural mascot after fan vote". Zero Tackle. 18 July 2022. Retrieved 4 August 2022.
  17. Brad Walter (27 October 2021). "Dolphins snare Kaufusi in first major signing". National Rugby League.
  18. Development players train with the Top 30 squad but cannot play NRL until after Round 10
  19. Players in the extended squad train with the Top 30 squad but are on train and trial or junior contracts
  20. "Kenny Bromwich to join Dolphins in 2023". 3 February 2022. Archived from the original on 21 February 2022. Retrieved 21 February 2022 via news.com.au.
  21. ""This is next level. It's awesome"". Moreton Daily. Retrieved 6 March 2023.
  22. "Dolphins lure Isaako from Broncos in cross-town switch". National Rugby League. 22 December 2021.
  23. "Isaako extends until 2026". The Dolphins. 10 October 2023.
  24. "Kerr coming home to Dolphins in 2023". The Dolphins. 17 June 2023. Retrieved 18 June 2023.
  25. Benoiton, Jake (23 January 2022). "Official: Rabbitohs release prop as Bennett strikes". Zero Tackle.
  26. "Kodi oming home to be a Dolphin". dolphinsnrl.com. 12 January 2022.
  27. "Niu earns contract extension". The Dolphins. 30 June 2023.
  28. "O'Sullivan joins the Dolphins". dolphinsnrl.com.au. 29 June 2022.
  29. "Dolphins sign young Kiwi bopper for 2023". zerotackle.com. 30 November 2022.
  30. "Dolphins – Records". rugbyleagueproject.
  31. Varley, Russell; Kearnan, Jake (1 June 2022). "NRL's newest club the Dolphins invests in Bundaberg Rugby League". ABC News. Retrieved 21 April 2023.

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