Departing Isaako embraces the firsts and lasts in quest for decider

Each step on their journey to finals has been a fresh ‘first’ for the Dolphins, but it has also been the beginning of the end for departing players, including Jamayne Isaako.

A foundation player, Isaako won the club’s inaugural Arthur Beetson Medal as player of year and has never missed a game for the club. And until their Round 19 horror show against the Sharks where they suffered a 66-0 loss, he had scored in every game.

However, the bursting stocks of backline talent and rise of young players like Tevita Naufahu meant there was no longer the space to keep him beyond 2026, which he hopes will end with the Dolphins lifting the trophy on grand final day.

He joins Kodi Nikorima (Dragons) and Jake Averillo (Wests Tigers) as players parting ways with the club as season's end, with fan favourite Ray Stone also hanging up his boots. 

“Obviously I know I'm leaving at the end of this year and it has been a bit emotional reflecting on it,” the Melbourne-bound Isaako said.

“After the last regular season game against the Titans … driving home on the bus, on the M1, there was a long drive from the Goldie back to Brisbane, but I reflected on it a little bit, and it is a bit of a bittersweet moment.

“I'm moving on at the end of this year, and being in this finals campaign, I want to give it a red-hot crack.

“I think everyone understands it's hard to get to this point.

“It's a long season and not too many teams get the opportunity to play finals.

“I'm certainly coming towards the back end of my career and I probably won't have too many of these opportunities again, so it is special to play with the bunch of boys here as well.

“There's so much talent in this group and the sky's the limit for everyone.

“If we can make something work and hopefully get ourselves to the big dance, then I'm sure we'll give ourselves every opportunity to get what we want.”

One of the team’s most reliable performers, the Kiwis winger has also claimed the top-point-scoring award for three of the past four seasons, with his goal-kicking accuracy achieved by following a meticulous routine and putting in countless hours of extras.

“It hasn't been something that I've been thinking of … (but) it's something I’m certainly proud of,” Isaako said.

“Obviously the last couple of years, our attacking – especially here at the Dolphins – has been a credit to scoring a lot of points (to convert with goals).

“Playing on the wing, being a try scoring winger, it's kind of hard to miss (on scoring opportunities) as well.

“So, certainly, proud to have that achievement and three out of the last four years, it's certainly something I'm proud of.”