The Dolphins made unwanted history last season, becoming the first team in more than 100 years to finish with the best attacking record but not play finals.
According to rugby league historian David Middleton, the Western Suburbs side of 1924 had the best attacking record but did not play post-season football.
In a promising year where they were able to score 721 points, the dazzling Dolphins finished ninth on the ladder, with winger Jamayne Isaako also claiming the 2025 leading pointscorer honours with 278.
Herbie Farnworth's 2025 try-scoring season
However, their points against tally of 596 – accentuated by a clump of heavy losses at the back end of the season in Round 23 (26-36 v Roosters), Round 24 (28-38 v Brisbane) and Round 25 (30-58 v Manly) – highlighted their struggles.
The Roosters, who claimed the final place in the eight last year, did so with the worst defence of the finals contenders, with 521 against.
In their 'defence', Kristian Woolf’s charges had to contend with a crippling injury toll, firstly to their forwards before late season blow to their backs challenged their depth and experience in holding out their opposition.
This year, with a team steadily returning to peak health, the Dolphins are well aware of the changes needed to improve their chances of making the finals for the first time.
Jake Averillo and Connelly Lemuelu both spoke about the defensive focus their training had taken this pre-season after the disappointment of missing out last year.
“We've had a few things that we want to focus on, defensively especially,” Averillo said while taking part in their pre-season camp on the Gold Coast.
“That's been a big focus for this camp and it's always hard pre-season, so I think we're going to be going good.
“We know we're a very good attacking team, it's just applying those little things to defence, little effort areas that are going to win us games.”
Flegler making a play for Round 1
Lemuelu, who is pushing to earn a start in the second row as part of a stacked pack, said Woolf had asked his team what they wanted to be known for. The Samoa international said he had also made it his own individual challenge to improve that area of his game.
“We want to be physical, fit and we want to be better defensively,” Lemuelu said.
“So (we are) really driving that at the moment.
“(Working on defence means fitness individual decisions), it’s a bit of both.
Match: Dolphins v Rabbitohs
Round 1 -
home Team
Dolphins
away Team
Rabbitohs
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
“(For me) I feel like I've said it before, the attack side of my game comes a bit more naturally, so if I can work on the other two things, then I'll put myself in in good stead.
“Obviously, if you're a bit fitter and you're not as tired towards the end of the games, you can make better decisions and make better contact into tackles, so things like that.
“It's a whole team thing.”
Stats a Fact
Dolphins attack 2025: 721 points for (1st)
Dolphins defence 2025: 596 points against (11th)
