2023 Dolphins season

The 2023 Dolphins season is historically the inaugural season for the Dolphins club in the professional National Rugby League (NRL) football competition in Australia. With Wayne Bennett as head coach and Jesse Bromwich as the regular team captain, the Dolphins competed in the 2023 NRL Telstra Premiership but did not qualify for the finals. Nevertheless, they finished in thirteenth place, ahead of four other established teams.

For the Miami Dolphins' 2023 season, see 2023 Miami Dolphins season.

2023 Dolphins season
NRL Rank13th
Play-off resultDNQ
2023 recordWins: 9; losses: 15
Points scoredFor: 520; against: 631 (Rd 27)
Team information
CEOTerry Reader
Head CoachWayne Bennett
Captain
StadiumSuncorp Stadium
52,500 (7 home games)
Sunshine Coast Stadium
12,000 (1 home game)
Kayo Stadium
11,500 (3 home games)
Optus Stadium
65,000 (1 home game – double-header)
Avg. attendance22,919 (Round 27)[5]
High attendance51,047 (Round 4) Suncorp Stadium
Low attendance5,130 (Round 22) Salter Oval
Top scorers
TriesJamayne Isaako (24)
(Round 27)
GoalsJamayne Isaako (73 + 2 FG)
(Round 27)
PointsJamayne Isaako (244)
(Round 27)
List of seasons 2024 >

Dolphins 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.[6]

Further information: List of Dolphins (NRL) records
Dolphins NRL away and home jerseys 2023 (front view)


In Round 9, the Dolphins played their first golden point game but lost 30–31 to the Canberra Raiders at McDonalds Park, Wagga Wagga.[7]

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. "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." Otherwise, Annesley advised that no policy changes could be considered until the current season is over.[8][9]

In Round 13, 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.[10]

2023 Club Awards

In September, the Dolphins' Inaugural Presentation Ball was held at Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, and the club's annual awards were announced.[11]

  • Academic Award: Euan Aitken (for continued study in an MBA)
  • Adventure Kings Fan-Voted MVP (Most Valuable Player): Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
  • Arthur Beetson Medal Player of the Year: Jamayne Isaako
  • Best Back: Jamayne Isaako
  • Best Forward: Mark Nicholls
  • Club Person of the Year: Shane Morris (Dolphins' Game Development Manager)
  • Most Consistent: Jamayne Isaako
  • Players' Player: Jamayne Isaako
  • Rookie of the Year: Isaiya Katoa

Player movements
Dolphins NRL jersey on Suncorp Stadium field for inaugural match Sunday 5 March 2023
Dolphins supporters' fin headwear
Emblematic dolphin fins on supporters' heads
NRL Indigenous Round 12
Dolphins jersey 2023 (front view)

All 2023 signings
PlayerPrevious ClubLength
Euan AitkenNew Zealand Warriors2024[12]
Brenton BairaMackay Cutters2023[13]
Tory BathNudgee College2024[14]
Jack BostockSt. George Illawarra Dragons2025[15]
Jesse BromwichMelbourne Storm2024[16]
Kenny BromwichMelbourne Storm2025[17]
Bailey ButlerCQ Capras2024[14]
JJ CollinsTweed Heads Seagulls2023[18]
John-Paul DonevskiPenrith Panthers2024[14]
Kurt DonoghoeCentral Newcastle2024[19]
Herman Ese'eseGold Coast Titans2023[20]
Poasa FaamausiliSt. George Illawarra Dragons2023[21]
Trai FullerRedcliffe Dolphins2023[22]
Tom GilbertNorth Queensland Cowboys2023[23]
Oliver GildartWests Tigers2023[24]
Harrison GrahamWynnum Manly Seagulls2023[25]
Lachlan HubnerCQ Capras2024[14]
Cody HunterRedcliffe Dolphins2023[26]
Jamayne IsaakoGold Coast Titans2026[27][28]
Ryan JacksonWynnum Manly Seagulls2023[18]
Robert JenningsPenrith Panthers2025[29]
Isaiya KatoaPenrith Panthers2025[30]
Felise KaufusiMelbourne Storm2025[31]
Josh Kerr St George Illawarra Dragons 2025[32]
Brenko LeeBrisbane Broncos2024[33]
Edrick LeeNewcastle Knights2024[15]
Connelly LemueluNorth Queensland Cowboys2025[34]
Jeremy Marshall-KingCanterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs2025[35]
Brayden McGradyNorths Devils2024[36]
Anthony MilfordNewcastle Knights2024[37]
Mark NichollsSouth Sydney Rabbitohs2024[38]
Kodi NikorimaSouth Sydney Rabbitohs2024[39]
Tesi NiuBrisbane Broncos2024[40]
Sean O'SullivanPenrith Panthers2025[41]
Max PlathWynnum Manly Seagulls2025[42]
Elijah RasmussenWestlake Boys High School2023[43]
Michael RobertsNorthern Rivers Titans2023[25]
Radean RobinsonCQ Capras2024[14]
Jeremiah SimbikenRedcliffe Dolphins2025[44]
Ray StoneParramatta Eels2024[45]
Tyler SzepanowskiCQ Capras2024[14]
Hamiso Tabuai-FidowNorth Queensland Cowboys2027[46]
Mason TeaguePenrith Panthers2024[47]
Valynce Te WhareKing Country Rugby Football Union2024[25]
Setu TuRedcliffe Dolphins2023[48]
Jarrod WallaceGold Coast Titans2024[49]
Michael WaqaRedcliffe Dolphins2024[14]

Pre-season challenge

The 2023 NRL pre-season was played in February, before an eleven-day lead-up to the commencement of the regular 2023 NRL season.[50]

Date Round Opponent Venue Score Tries Goals Attendance
Sunday 12 February 2023 Trial 1 North Queensland Cowboys Barlow Park 22 – 22 Jack Bostock 7'
Lachlan Hubner 37'
Brenton Baira 53'
Mason Teague 72'		 Jamayne Isaako (2/3)
Isaiya Katoa (1/1)		 6,922
Sunday 19 February 2023 Trial 2 Gold Coast Titans Kayo Stadium 16–40 Jack Bostock 37'
Connelly Lemuelu 60'
Kurt Donoghoe 65'		 Jamayne Isaako (1/2)
Sean O'Sullivan (1/1)		 7,216
Legend:   Win   Loss   Draw

Regular season

League table

For the 2023 NRL season, the number of teams increased from sixteen to seventeen with the inclusion of the Dolphins, a fourth Queensland-based club, playing most of their home games at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane.

2023 NRL season
Pos Team Pld W D L B PF PA PD Pts
1 Penrith Panthers (P) 2418063645312+33342
2 Brisbane Broncos 2418063639425+21442
3 Melbourne Storm 2416083627459+16838
4 New Zealand Warriors 2416083572448+12438
5 Newcastle Knights 2414193626451+17535
6 Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks 24140103619497+12234
7 Sydney Roosters 24130113472496−2432
8 Canberra Raiders 24130113486623−13732
9 South Sydney Rabbitohs 24120123564505+5930
10 Parramatta Eels 24120123587574+1330
11 North Queensland Cowboys 24120123546542+430
12 Manly Warringah Sea Eagles 24111123545539+629
13 Dolphins 2490153520631−11124
14 Gold Coast Titans 2490153527653−12624
15 Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 2470173438769−33120
16 St. George Illawarra Dragons 2450193474673−19916
17 Wests Tigers 2440203385675−29014

Result by round
Round123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627
GroundHHAHAAHHAN–HHAA–HAAH–AHAAHH
ResultWWWLLWLWLWBLWLLBLLWLBLLLLLW
Position3223748895866811101112121313131414141413
Points24666881010121414161616181818202022222222222224
Source: National Rugby League
A = Away; H = Home; N = Neutral; B = Bye; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

Matches

In 2023, the Dolphins play seven of their twelve home games at the 52,500-capacity Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, one at Sunshine Coast Stadium and the three other at Kayo Stadium in Redcliffe, which also serves as a training and administration base.[51] Optus Stadium in Perth will also host one home game. This will occur in Round 23 against the Newcastle Knights during a double-header with the other game being between South Sydney Rabbitohs and Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks.


In the 'Score' column below, the Dolphins' score is recorded first and the opponent's next.

Further information: List of Dolphins (NRL) players
Date Round Opponent Venue Score Tries Goals Attendance
Sunday, 5 March 1 Sydney Roosters Suncorp Stadium 28–18 Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 15'
Mark Nicholls 35'
Connelly Lemuelu 46'
Jamayne Isaako 50', 56'		 Jamayne Isaako (4/5) 32,177
Saturday, 11 March 2 Canberra Raiders Kayo Stadium 20–14 Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 38', 77'
Tom Gilbert 62'		 Jamayne Isaako (3/3)
PG: Jamayne Isaako (1/1)		 10,023
Friday, 17 March 3 Newcastle Knights McDonald Jones Stadium 36–20 Tesi Niu 9', 32', 66'

Kodi Nikorima 28'
Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 57'
Jamayne Isaako 75', 79'

 Jamayne Isaako (4/7) 20,093
Friday, 24 March 4 Brisbane Broncos Suncorp Stadium 12–18 Jarrod Wallace 56'

Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 62'

 Jamayne Isaako (2/2) 51,047
Saturday, 1 April 5 St. George Illawarra Dragons WIN Stadium 12–38 Jamayne Isaako 13'
Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 71'		 Jamayne Isaako (2/4) 16,472
Friday, 7 April 6 North Queensland Cowboys Queensland Country Bank Stadium 32–22 Jamayne Isaako 7', 13', 30'

Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 23', 78'
Tom Gilbert 33'

 Jamayne Isaako (4/7) 22,811
Thursday, 13 April 7 South Sydney Rabbitohs Suncorp Stadium 14–36 Euan Aitken 1'

Jeremy Marshall-King 33'

 Jamayne Isaako (2/2)
PG: Jamayne Isaako (1/1)		 22,280
Sunday, 23 April 8 Gold Coast Titans Suncorp Stadium 28–26 Robert Jennings 33', 64'

Mark Nicholls 47'
Jarrod Wallace 50'
Euan Aitken 74'

 Jamayne Isaako (4/5) 22,034
Saturday, 29 April 9 Canberra Raiders McDonalds Park,
Wagga Wagga[52]		 30–31 Euan Aitken 25'

Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 30'
Connelly Lemuelu 57', 61'
Jesse Bromwich 71'

 Jamayne Isaako (5/5) 10,445
Saturday, 6 May 10 Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks Suncorp Stadium 36–16 Isaiya Katoa 5'

Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 16'
Valynce Te Whare 22', 51'
Connelly Lemuelu 26'
Tesi Niu 31'

 Jamayne Isaako (6/6) 50,183
11 BYE
Saturday, 20 May 12 Melbourne Storm Suncorp Stadium 16–24 Jamayne Isaako 12', 67'

Kodi Nikorima 74'

 Jamayne Isaako (2/3) 28,325
Thursday, 25 May 13 St. George Illawarra Dragons Kayo Stadium 26–12 Jamayne Isaako 21', 49'

Mark Nicholls 24'
Anthony Milford 27'

 Jamayne Isaako (4/4)
PG: Jamayne Isaako (1/1)		 10,047
Saturday, 3 June 14 New Zealand Warriors Go Media Stadium 8–30 Tesi Niu 34'

Jamayne Isaako 76'

 Jamayne Isaako (0/2) 23,686
Friday, 9 June 15 Manly Warringah Sea Eagles 4 Pines Park 18–58 Jamayne Isaako 22'
Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 57', 79'		 Jamayne Isaako (3/3) 14,598
16 BYE
Saturday, 24 June 17 Parramatta Eels Sunshine Coast Stadium 20–48 Brayden McGrady 3'
Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 49', 66'
Valynce Te Whare 55'		 Jamayne Isaako (2/4) 8,821
Saturday, 1 July 18 Brisbane Broncos The Gabba 16-24 Kodi Nikorima 25'
Valynce Te Whare 50'
Jeremy Marshall-King 63'
 Jamayne Isaako (2/3) 30,606
Sunday, 9 July 19 Gold Coast Titans Cbus Super Stadium 23-21 Connelly Lemuelu 16'
Jarrod Wallace 47'

Kenneath Bromwich 58'
Jamayne Isaako 61'

 Jamayne Isaako (4/6) 18,335
Sunday, 16 July 20 Penrith Panthers Kayo Stadium 14-24 Kodi Nikorima 33'
Connelly Lemuelu 51'

Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 55'

 Jamayne Isaako (1/3) 10,065
21 BYE
Sunday, 30 July 22 Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs Salter Oval 22-23 Jamayne Isaako 16'
Anthony Milford 56', 78'

Valynce Te Whare 64'

 Jamayne Isaako (3/5) 5,130
Saturday, 5 August 23 Newcastle Knights Optus Stadium 28-30 Jamayne Isaako 23', 26', 31'

Valynce Te Whare 49'
Connelly Lemuelu 73'

 Jamayne Isaako (2)
Sean O'Sullivan (2)		 45,814
Saturday, 12 August 24 Sydney Roosters Allianz Stadium 14-30 Ray Stone 23'
Jamayne Isaako 74'		 Jamayne Isaako (3/3) 13,704
Saturday, 19 August 25 Wests Tigers CommBank Stadium 23-24 Jamayne Isaako 17'
Euan Aitken 26'
Jack Bostock 43'
Trai Fuller 62'		 Jamayne Isaako (4/6) 9,245
Friday, 25 August 26 North Queensland Cowboys Suncorp Stadium 10-34 Jamayne Isaako 62', 71' Jamayne Isaako (1/2) 33,449
Saturday, 2 September 27 New Zealand Warriors Suncorp Stadium 34-10 Jack Bostock 7'
Sean O'Sullivan 23'
Isaiya Katoa 25'
Jamayne Isaako 39'
Max Plath 65'
Kenneath Bromwich 78'		 Jamayne Isaako (5/6) 35,438
[53]
Legend:   Win   Loss   Draw   Bye

Round 10 attendance figure is for the whole of Magic Round Day 2

2023 Squad
Dolphins 2024 Squad
Top 30 squad – 2024 NRL season Development list Coaching staff

Head coach

Assistant coaches

  • Nathan Fien
  • Kristian Woolf
  • Jeremy Hickmans (Head of Performance)
  • Blake Duncan (Athletic Performance Coach)
  • Elliot Jackson (Athletic Performance Coach)

Medical professionals

  • Sam Madden (Head Physiotherapist)
  • Adam Schumacher (Physiotherapist)
  • John Davey (Head of Sports Science & Performance Analysis)
  • Dr Peter Hackney (Doctor)
  • Dr Brendan Thompson (Doctor)
Legend:
  • (c) Captain(s)
  • (vc) Vice captain(s)
  • Development players[54]
  • Extended squad[55]

Updated: 7 October 2023
Source(s): NRL

References
  1. "'There's our captain': Bromwich unveiled as Dolphins skipper | NRL.com". Retrieved 6 March 2023 – via nrl.com.
  2. "Casualty Ward: Moses sidelined; Bateman hamstrung in warm-up". 7 May 2023.
  3. "Final Team: Bromwich out, Nicholls to skipper". 7 April 2023.
  4. "Final Team: Te Whare to debut at centre". 6 May 2023.
  5. "NRL Results & Attendances | Austadiums".
  6. https://www.sportingnews.com/au/rugby-league/news/nrl-try-scoring-point-scoring-record-jamayne-isaako-dolphins/38d4782b506657d012d24f77
  7. "Raiders v Dolphins".
  8. https://au.sports.yahoo.com/nrl-concedes-error-crucial-golden-061105474.html
  9. "MSN". MSN.
  10. https://www.news.com.au/sport/nrl/nrl-exposed-by-dragons-seventh-tackle-try-debacle-in-dolphins-loss/news-story/164caa6f54359816aa790f5cbeaf2230
  11. https://www.dolphinsnrl.com.au/news/2023/09/07/emotional-nisaako-sweeps-dolphins-awards/
  12. "Dolphins sign exiting Warriors star Euan Aitken for foundation side". 26 May 2022.
  13. "NRL train and trial list". 5 November 2022.
  14. Patterson, Emily (27 October 2022). "Pre-season taking shape with player return dates set". amp.nine.com.au.
  15. "2022 NRL Signings Tracker: Naden joins Wests Tigers; Sivo extends with Eels". 17 May 2022.
  16. gates, Zachary (21 January 2022). "Storm co-captain signs with rival NRL club". wwos.nine.com.au. Retrieved 6 August 2023.
  17. "Kenny Bromwich to join Dolphins in 2023". 3 February 2022. Archived from the original on 21 February 2022. Retrieved 9 March 2023 – via news.com.au.
  18. "Dolphins open up NRL opportunities for two more". qrl.com.au. 6 May 2022. Retrieved 6 August 2023.
  19. McKinney, Max (28 February 2023). "Central Newcastle junior to debut in Dolphins' inaugural NRL match". newcastleherald.com.au. Retrieved 6 August 2023.
  20. "Ese'ese joins Dolphins engine room". dolphinsnrl.com.au. 29 September 2022. Retrieved 6 August 2023.
  21. "Monster pack builds with Faamausili signing". dolphinsnrl.com.au. 17 October 2022. Retrieved 6 August 2023.
  22. Sargeant, Tom (6 September 2022). "Rabbitohs re-sign 'impressive' young gun; Newcastle lock in Broncos half: Transfer Centre". foxsports.com.au. Retrieved 6 August 2023.
  23. Bungard, Matt (26 April 2022). "Dolphins sign North Queensland Cowboys forward Tom Gilbert for 2023 season". wwos.nine.com.au. Retrieved 6 August 2023.
  24. Appleyard, Joe (27 October 2022). "Former Wigan Warriors ace Oliver Gildart on verge of joining NRL club". examinerlive.co.uk.
  25. "NRL 2022: Dolphins, Michael Roberts, Harrison Graham, Valynce Te Whare, 17th team announces young signings for 2023 - NRL". National Rugby League. 16 December 2021.
  26. Knight, Kylie (22 July 2022). ""This is next level. It's awesome"". Moreton Daily. Retrieved 6 March 2023.
  27. "Dolphins lure Isaako from Broncos in cross-town switch". National Rugby League. 22 December 2021.
  28. https://www.dolphinsnrl.com.au/news/2023/10/10/isaako-extends-until-2026/
  29. Pryde, Scott (9 May 2022). "Dolphins strike to sign Panthers back on long-term deal". zerotackle.com. Retrieved 6 August 2023.
  30. Chisholm, Ed (17 February 2022). "Dolphins confirm signing of teenage Panthers prodigy Isaiya Katoa on a three-year deal". sportingnews.com. Retrieved 6 August 2023.
  31. Dobbin, Ben and Atkinson, Michael (25 November 2021). "Dolphins land Origin star as first marquee signing". wwos.nine.com.au.
  32. "Kerr coming home to Dolphins in 2023". dolphinsnrl.com.au. 17 June 2023. Retrieved 18 June 2023.
  33. "Brenko Lee to join cousin as foundation Dolphin". 23 June 2022.
  34. Tiernan, Eamonn and St John, Mark (6 April 2023). "NRL 2023 Transfer Centre Connelly Lemuelu signs contract extension". Retrieved 6 August 2023.
  35. "Panthers re-sign premiership prop on bumper new long-team deal: NRL Transfer Centre". foxsports.com.au. 3 April 2023. Retrieved 6 August 2023.
  36. "Brayden McGrady".
  37. "Milford set to knock back Knights to join rivals".
  38. Benoiton, Jake (23 January 2022). "Official: Rabbitohs release prop as Bennett strikes". Zero Tackle.
  39. "Kodi oming home to be a Dolphin". dolphinsnrl.com. 12 January 2022.
  40. "Niu earns contract extension". dolphinsnrl.com.au. 30 June 2023. Retrieved 6 August 2023.
  41. "O'Sullivan joins the Dolphins". dolphinsnrl.com.au. 29 June 2022. Retrieved 6 August 2023.
  42. "Exciting utility Plath signs with Dolphins | QRL". 11 April 2023.
  43. "Dolphins sign young Kiwi bopper for 2023". zerotackle.com. 30 November 2022.
  44. "From the verge of walking away, Simbiken earns NRL contract". qrl.com.au. 25 August 2022.
  45. "Eels forward Stone signs with Dolphins". ESPN.com. 6 December 2021.
  46. "2023 NRL Signings Tracker: Hunt extends Sharks deal; Montoya, Russell re-sign". nrl.com. 3 August 2023.
  47. "Dolphins nab Panthers junior premiership winner for top squad shot". dolphinsnrl.com.au. 4 July 2022.
  48. "Winger handed shot at NRL dreams with Dolphins". dolphinsnrl.com.au. 29 July 2022. Retrieved 6 August 2023.
  49. O'Loughlin, Liam (9 June 2022). "Jarrod Wallace signs two-year deal with the Dolphins". Sporting News.
  50. "Draw". National Rugby League. Retrieved 10 November 2022.
  51. "Dolphins to join NRL in 2023, with Moreton Daily Stadium to host games". Austadiums. 13 October 2021.
  52. Council, Wagga Wagga City (10 November 2022). "Raiders v Dolphins: NRL game in Wagga Wagga in 2023". wagga.nsw.gov.au.
  53. "NRL Results & Attendances | Austadiums".
  54. Development players train with the Top 30 squad but cannot play NRL until after Round 10
  55. Players in the extended squad train with the Top 30 squad but are on train and trial or junior contracts
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