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The Dolphins exceeded expectations in 2023. Now they have their sights set on an appearance in the NRL Finals.
The Dolphins shocked the rugby league world to start the 2023 NRL season.
While they couldn’t sustain the start to feature in the finals, few pictured their first year in the competition going quite that well. In hindsight, we were all foolish for writing off a Wayne Bennett team. If there is one man that can inspire a group of men to exceed expectations to achieve the unthinkable, it’s Wayne.
There are new expectations for 2024, though.
Fans dared to let themselves dream of fairytale finals run last season. Plenty will expect it to happen in this one.
Improvement isn’t linear. We’re at the time of year where, for all 17 clubs, the belief is that they can only improve on last season. For the Dolphins, that’s finding at least three more wins to make it 12 for the season and at the very least, be in with a sniff of the Top 8.
Is adding Herbie Farnworth, Thomas Flegler and Jake Averillo enough to get them there?
Let’s take a look at what the three can offer Bennett’s side as they seek a first finals game in club history.
Herbie Farnworth
The Englishman quietly became one of the best centres in the NRL last season. While so much of the focus is on the chaos and destruction on the right edge through Kotoni Staggs, Farnworth’s consistency translated into a whopping 168 running metres per game.
Farnworth is deceptively strong. It’s not always the first thing mentioned when speaking about the 24-year-old, but he is incredibly powerful through his legs. He pushes through tackles out of yardage and provided the Brisbane Broncos with strong starts to their sets last season. His speed made him an option a little bit wider, too.
These plays don’t always look like much in isolation, but they can define a set. One strong Farnworth carry could often be the difference between winning and losing a set with what the likes of Ezra Mam, Adam Reynolds and Reece Walsh could do running at a retreating defensive line on the back of it.
One area we can expect the Dolphins to use him is off scrums. He was a regular target from the Broncos scrum base all the way up the field. Give him time and space and Farnworth will generate a half-chance or a quick play-the-ball at worst.
The Dolphins impressed with their toughness and determination to compete last season. It’s in the outside backs where they lacked the quality to keep up with the best teams in the NRL. In Farnworth, they have an improving player who should be in the mix for Dally M Centre of the Year.
Thomas Flegler
Thomas Flegler averaged 109 running metres per game in 2023. He added only one extra metre per game to his 2022 average, but his consistency and availability made it his best season to date.
He’s a destructive ball-carrier capable of playing big minutes. As Jesse Bromwich becomes less of a factor as he enters the final year of his NRL career, Flegler’s energy is the perfect addition to make up the difference.
Passing has become a growing part of the prop position as it evolves. We’re seeing more middle forwards attack the line and play out the back of a lead more often in recent seasons. It’s not an area of strength for Flegler, but he is improving.
You can see how his reputation as a destructive ball carrier alongside Patrick Carrigan’s lead line shrinks the defence. Whether the four-in defender is looking to help on Flegler or biting on the lead, it stresses the defensive line enough for Flegler’s pass to translate into points.
He doesn’t always get it right. Few props do. Still, he’s throwing more and another summer focused on fundamentals should see him hit his five-eighth and halfback more accurately in 2024.
Flegler is 24-years-old heading into Round 1. He’s in a position that doesn’t typically start to peak until a player reaches their late-20’s. He fits the timeline of this Dolphins team well and will play a big role in any improvement they make this season.
Jake Averillo
It’s somewhat surprising that in a summer the Canterbury Bankstown-Bulldogs signed so many versatile players, Jake Averillo was one they didn’t retain in the squad.
He’s been a long-time favourite here at RLW. Oscar liked him as a possible answer at five-eighth for the Bulldogs after the 2021 NRL season. I particularly enjoyed his performance as a centre in Round 10 in 2023.
Unfortunately for Averillo, his versatility may have hurt him over the years.
Across 78 NRL games he has played fullback (16 games), wing (2), centre (30), five-eighth (11), halfback (15) and come off the bench (4). It’s difficult to develop consistency and cohesion when being shuffled around.
It’s not a coincidence he played his best football last season when spending a lengthy period in the centres. From there, the Bulldogs could scheme to get the most out of his most dangerous attribute: Speed.
With Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow locked into fullback and the Dolphins halves relatively set moving forward, centre appears to be the spot for Averillo.
If he can earn a start there in Round 1 and begin to reach the potential he has threatened to at times over the years, he will ensure the Dolphins are lightning-quick on both edges either side of Tabuai-Fidow up the middle.
NRL Finals
There are 17 clubs in the NRL that are sure they will improve in 2024. All 17 think they can play finals footy regardless of where they finished in 2023.
Exceeding expectations last season almost makes it more difficult for the Dolphins in this one. They won’t surprise anybody with their toughness or willingness to get into the grind. The fan base expects improvement, too.
Paul Coles has tipped the ‘Dolphins to make the 8’ as his NRL preseason take while Archie has ‘at least three Queensland teams finishing in the Top 8’ by the end of the year.
Plenty have high hopes for the NRL’s newest club. They’re a young group still developing. A healthy Tom Gilbert will help the pack while Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow keeps getting better every year.
Will the three off-season additions be enough to propel them into the Top 8?