Squad breakdown: Dolphins, Cowboys and Titans 2025 NRL SuperCoach analysis

Life after Wayne is something a lot of clubs have struggled with. Can the Dolphins break the curse?

Undoubtedly one of the surprise packets of the last two years, they came within a whisker of making finals last year. The squad is largely settled, albeit ageing so making that leap may come down to some individuals taking their game to another level.

An enticing draw to start the season will up their appeal, but can you ignore the question marks?

Let’s take a look at their NRL Supercoach prospects heading into round 1.

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The Dolphins

1. Hamiso Tabui-Fidow
2. Jamayne Isaako
3. Jake Averillo
4. Herbie Farnworth
5. Junior Tupou
6. Kodi Nikorima
7. Isaiya Katoa
8. Daniel Saifiti
9. Jeremy Marshall-King
10. Felise Kaufusi
11. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki
12. Max Plath
13. Tom Gilbert
14. Kurt Donoghue
15. Kenny Bromwich
16. Mark Nichols
17. Connelly Lemuele

Unavailable: Jack Bostock (MCL, Round 3), Trai Fuller (ACL, indifinite), Tom Flegler (Shoulder, indefinite)

Analysis: They’ve got some explosive speed in their backline. The spine is maturing nicely, and there’s some good young talents in the forwards.

The three big questions really come down to who will play five-eight, how do they fit in new recruit Junior Tupou and how do you fit Tom Gilbert back into a lock jersey that Max Plath made his own last season.

The trials really only served to create more questions than answers, albeit the injury to Jack Bostock at least should reduce two of this headaches for the opening rounds.

Draw: Rabbitohs (Home), Knights (Away), Tigers (Home), Broncos (Home), Titans (Away)

First five round rating: 9/10

Guns:

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Herbie Farnworth | CTW | $728.3k

The Englishman is now a back-to-back Dally M centre at two clubs and one of the sneakiest SuperCoach players in the game.

Those we saw the trend and jumped on mid-season benefited from an end to the year which saw him easily join the conversation of best five options at CTW.

Impressively most of his points came from base and power stats. The man loves rolling up his sleeves. And inside lighter backs in Hammer and Isaako he needs to as well.

Some SuperCoaches are looking at him as a set and forget option in their CTW, with the nice draw being the sealer. Personally I think there’s better value players out there. But come Origin time he’s a big watch.

Buy rating: 5/10

Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow | FLB | $653.4k

After losing the CTW dual this year, Hammer is less appealing. That’s only until you hear the NRL Physio talk about him.

‘Phins bias aside, the Physio has pointed out that Hammer was averaging 85 before his PCL injury, which is one of the hardest injuries to play through when it comes to impact on performance.

And the narrative makes sense. Why else was he being shifted to the centres to end the season.

He’s priced at a 67, so if you believe the Dolphins can start fast and he can average close to that 85 mark there’s quick cash to be made. But you’d be a braver SuperCoacher than me to own him round 1 given the other fullback options within $100k of him in price.

Buy rating: 4/10

Max Plath | 2RF / HOK | $617.6k

This kid has future Origin star written all over him.

And despite having lost the 5/8 dual he started with last season, he’s picked up the equally as valuable HOK alongside his 2RF.

Plath is a workhorse. And his relevance in SuperCoach is going to come down to his minutes. He averaged 52 in base last season and came home like a wet sail with injuries deluxe stacking up at the Dolphins.

Based on trials he won’t start at the lock position. But recent comments where he spoke of wanting to play 80 between second-row and the middle are encouraging.

If he gets 80 minutes we could be looking at a guy who can push into a Top 10 player at the position. He’s already priced as the 14th most expensive at the position off the back of a 63 average last year – so there’s not a huge jump in value on his starting price – but at less than 10% ownership at the time of writing he’s presenting an interesting POD argument to the likes of Preston and Watson.

He’s a minutes watch and a solid POD.

Buy rating: 6/10

Mid-rangers:

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Jeremy Marshall-King | HOK | $555.1k

JMK has been one of the ‘Phins best but also one of their ‘what could have been’ stories in the last two years.

It’s not an exaggeration to say he is one of the best hookers in the comp when fit. That fitness however has been a bit of an issue, having misses seven crucial games at the end of last season.

The numbers tell us he is undervalued for his starting price. Pre-injury has was averaging 63 and playing 80 minutes consistently. Priced at a 57 average there’s immediately six points of value. It’s not a heap, but every dollar counts.

When you factor in the good draw you’ve got the chance to have a Super POD at just 3.2% ownership in your starting side.

We’re expecting Kurt Donoghue to jag the 14 after playing both fullback and hooker in trials so there could be cause to wait and see how the minutes unfold, but as per everyone in this preview – if you think the Dolphins start fast then you could worse.

Buy rating: 7/10

Tom Gilbert | 2RF | $462k

One of the good stories of this year is the return of Gilbert.

Looking purely at the numbers he looks a good buy. He’s priced at a 47 after missing the entire 2024 season. The year prior he averaged 59 and based 51.

So if you think he can achieve what he did two years ago you’re already getting a small discount.

The ageing pack of the Dolphins mean he likely needs to come in and play good minutes straight away, albeit the Plath talk makes it seem as if he will be rotated.

Another minutes watch for me, albeit at the price it’s hard to knock the buy.

Buy rating: 5/10

Cheapies:

Junior Tupou | CTW | $381.3k

I’ve snuck Junior in here because most people are treating him as a cash-gen option in CTW. He’s priced at a 39 but has occasionally flashed the kind of ‘To’o-esque’ tackle-breaking ability to look a good SuperCoach player.

With Jack Bostock lurking I’m not convinced on his job security. Could be a Round 3 downgrade option once we see the role with Bostock back given the nice draw early.

Buy rating: 3/10 (Highly subject to round 1 cheapies)

Kulikefu Finefeuiaki | 2RF | $368.2k

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Big body, low work rate player. Has had his chances at the Cowboys in the past and done ok without going huge. With Max Plath training in the second-row there’s a good chance he doesn’t play 80 minutes which you would need for him to make good coin.

At his price as well it’s hard to go down if you start with him given the limited options.

Without being too repetitive, minutes and rotation watch.

Buy rating: 4/10 (Highly subject to round 1 cheapies)

North Queensland Cowboys

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The Cowboys enter 2025 with key squad changes and youthful talent emerging for likely debuts.

While I have concerns around their depth as injuries inevitably hit throughout the year, there’s no doubting the quality of their round 1 team and the promise of a number of rookies.

The youth coming through means they should boast plenty of cheapie options to Supercoaches from round 1.

Their draw to start the season is tricky with just two home games in the first seven rounds.

Let’s take a look at their NRL Supercoach credentials heading into round 1.

1. Scott Drinkwater
2. Murray Taulagi
3. Viliame Vailea
4. Jaxon Purdue
5. Braidon Burns
6. Tom Dearden
7. Tom Duffy
8. Jordan McLean
9. Reece Robson
10. Jason Taumalolo
11. John Bateman
12. Jeremiah Nanai
13. Reuben Cotter
14. Karl Lawton
15. Griffin Neame
16. Sam McIntyre
17. Coen Hess

Unavailable: Heilum Luki (ACL, season), Tom Chester (ACL, season), Jason Taumalolo (foot, chance for round 1)

Analysis: Departures of Valentine Holmes and Kyle Feldt opens roles for two outside backs.

Promising centre Zac Laybutt may return from injury through QLD Cup early in the season, which will likely open a spot for Jaxon Purdue.

Braidon Burns, Semi Valemei and rookie Robert Derby squared off during the pre-season trials with Burns looking favoured to start.

The halfback spot is also up for grabs, with incumbent playmaker Jake Clifford facing competition from rookie Thomas Duffy who starred in the QLD Cup last season.

A recent hernia setback for Clifford gave Duffy every chance to propel himself into the No.7 jersey for round 1 which he looks to have secured.

Coen Hess will start at some stage, but he may be eased back from the bench on return from a lengthy ACL lay-off.

Jason Taumalolo is in doubt for round with a foot injury, with Harrison Edwards likely to deputise if required.

Draw: Sea Eagles (A), Sharks (H), Broncos (A), Raiders (H), Panthers (A), Rabbitohs (Perth), bye, Titans (H)

First five round rating: 4/10

Guns

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Scott Drinkwater I FLB I $770,100

Drinkwater could be an early super POD play, but I’d want him goal-kicking.

Based on their trial win over the Storm it’ll be Duffy kicking goals, so I wouldn’t consider Drinky unless it’s confirmed he is.

He only kicked six goals last season as back up to the durable Valentine Holmes.

If he were to goal-kick there’s the potential to add another 10 points to his average.

My concern is that he was very good for them last season, so it’d be relying on the attacking stats to continue to flow.

Not for me, but strongly reconsider if goal-kicking.

Buy rating: 4/10

Mid-rangers

Tom Dearden I 5/8 I $597,600

In a fairly wide open five-eighth position, Dearden may well be the forgotten man at just 6.2% ownership.

He’s evidently improving year-on-year and will be the dominant playmaker alongside a rookie in Duffy.

He’s fairly consistent, but can go low with two scores of sub 27 and four of sub 40 last season.

That’s fine, but as a non goal-kicking five-eighth he potentially doesn’t have the ceiling either with no tonnes last season.

The ceiling will increase later in the season against depleted teams and during softer runs, but to start I think he’s a little capped.

A decent option, but I prefer others.

Buy rating: 4/10

Reece Robson I HOK I $590,600

I won’t waste much time on Robson, he’s as honest as they come when it comes to Supercoach output. 

He appears destined to average around that 55-65 point mark which is more than acceptable.

There won’t be many poor showings (a low of 36 last season) and there won’t be many large ones either (two scores over 75).

He’s extremely durable and will do a job, however I don’t think there’s much value at his price point to start the season.

Buy rating: 4/10

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John Bateman I 2RF I $522,900

Could Bateman bounce back to his best this season?

He looks likely to play 80 minutes on the edge due to the injury to Heilum Luki.

He’s priced on a 53 point average from 71 minutes at the Tigers last season.

In nine 80 minute games last season he averaged 61.78 points, at a club he was seemingly unhappy to be at.

He had a base of 60+ twice in those games, and scored no tries and only had one try-assist.

He looms as a genuine option ahead of round 1.

Buy rating: 6/10

Cheapies

Coen Hess I 2RF-FRF I $327,000

Hess is an interesting prospect as he’s returning from a lengthy injury lay-off, but is likely to have one of the better Supercoach roles for a cheapie.

He’s may start in the front-row for the Cowboys potentially from round 1, depending how they manage his return, or he’ll play off the bench.

He’s also capable of playing on the edge where the Cowboys are a little weak since the season-ending injury to Heilum Luki.

He averaged 42 points in 50 minutes per game in 2023.

The dual position is very handy, however I’m concerned from trials they’ll really ease him back into minutes.

My gut feel says he’ll be a buy for a slightly increased price at about round 6 as he eases into bigger minutes.

Buy rating: 4/10

Jaxon Purdue I CTW I $257,000

Purdue is likely to start at centre in round 1 for the Cowboys.

In three 80 minute games last season he averaged 56.3 points per game, including two tries and an assist. This also included a sin-bin.

Primarily a halfback, he’s versatile and could play multiple positions.

The only potential risk is if he was named as a bench utility which would make him an avoid.

Buy rating: 9/10

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Tom Duffy I HFB I $198,800

Reports suggest Duffy will start at halfback for the Cowboys in round 1 making him an exceptional Supercoach prospect.

He’s also expected to goal-kick following the second trial where he was preferred to Scott Drinkwater.

In QLD Cup last season he played 22 games, scoring five tries and setting up 33. Yes, 33!!!

There is job pressure from Jake Clifford lingering.

Buy rating: 9/10

Robert Derby I CTW I $214,000

Robert Derby was named on the wing for the Cowboys first trial in what was a very weak side.

It doesn’t mean he won’t play round 1, but it isn’t a good sign.

Pass until named.

Buy rating: 1/10

Gold Coast Titans

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The Gold Coast Titans are arguably the hardest team to predict each season, always promising to produce so much but rarely reaching expectation.

Could 2025 be the season they deliver on the potential under Dez Hasler? We’ll soon find out.

They start the season with a bye which isn’t ideal for Supercoach purposes, however I do feel this will keep ownership of key prospects down which is beneficial.

They have plenty of depth in the roster which does produce some job security concerns across the squad, especially with numerous spine players capable of filling the bench utility role.

Their draw to start the season is friendly enough if you can look past the bye which shouldn’t be too much of a concer if you like a player enough.

Let’s take a look at their NRL Supercoach credentials heading into round 1.

1. Keano Kini
2. Alofiana Khan-Pereira
3. Brian Kelly
4. Phillip Sami
5. Jojo Fifita
6. AJ Brimson
7. Jayden Campbell
8. Moeaki Fotuaika
9. Sam Verrills
10. Reagan Campbell-Gillard
11. David Fifita
12. Beau Fermor
13. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui
14. Carter Gordon
15. Jaimin Jolliffe
16. Josiah Pahulu
17. Chris Randall

Unavailable: Reagan Campbell-Gillard (shoulder, in doubt for round 1), Carter Gordon (back, TBC), Kieran Foran (Biceps, round 5-8)

Analysis:  Reagan Campbell-Gillard is in doubt for the opening round.

With Kieran Foran injured, it confirms a halves pairing of AJ Brimson and Jayden Campbell.

It feels as though it’ll be a genuine shoot-out for backline positions at the Titans.

Rugby recruit Carter Gordon was flying on all reports, but with a plethora of options in all positions they may be tempted to continue his development through QLD Cup to begin the season.

Unfortunately a recent back injury has him in doubt to start the season.

Draw: Bye, Bulldogs (A), Knights (H), Roosters (A), Dolphins (H), Dragons (A), Raiders (H), Cowboys (A)

First five round rating: 5/10

Guns

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David Fifita I 2RF I $749,400

Fifita will again be among the elite 2RFs in Supercoach.

I don’t love him on the right edge where he’s expected to play, but we know what he’s capable of.

He’s priced on a 77 point average from 73 minutes per game.

In 2023 he averaged 82 and in 2021 he averaged 85.

He also had an injury concern throughout the pre-season which he has overcome.

Not for me to begin, but a target I’ll be looking to get into my side sooner rather than later.

Buy rating: 5/10

Keano Kini I FLB I $707,900

Kini is the POD plenty want, but few are willing to gamble on with the awkward round 1 bye.

He started the 2024 season with scores of 33 and 35.

Once he won the No.1 jumper from round 10 he averaged 82.07 points per game (excluding an injury game).

It’s safe to say he’s a player on a rapid rise too.

He has a high work-rate, busts tackles and could thrive this season.

I’m happy to watch early as the Titans have plenty of new combinations, but he’s one for the adventurous.

Buy rating: 5/10

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Jayden Campbell I FLB-5/8 I $700,200

Campbell is a huge upside option that you’d pick at five-eighth if buying.

He’s priced on a 72 point average across games at fullback and five-eighth in 2024.

In 11 games in the halves he averaged 78.09 points per game.

He scored sub 46 in three of those which isn’t too bad.

I do feel that early on in the season as combinations gel and he finds his feet at halfback there will be low games, but there will also be big outings which should somewhat balance out any potential bad scores.

If you’ve got the cash in the bank he’s a decent buy that is perhaps being a bit overlooked.

Halves partner AJ Brimson has the potential to be a great play at CTW too at just $539k, but I want to see him get through a few games without injury before investing.

Buy rating: 6/10

Mid-rangers

Tino Fa’asuamaleaui I $531,300 I FRF-2RF

The first round bye isn’t ideal for Tino, but he starts remarkably cheap on return from an ACL lay-off.

He starts at a whopping $260k discount on his $790k price tag in round 1 last year prior to his injury the following round.

He averaged 78 points per game in 2023, with a huge 57 in base.

He also has huge attacking upside as evidenced by seven scores of 90+ that season.

Back from injury, I do think he’ll ease into the season so I’m not expecting too much more than about a 55 average in the early stages, but once back to full fitness he could explode.

Buy rating: 8/10

Beau Fermor I 2RF-CTW I $593,100

Beau Fermor is of interest for those looking for a high base player at CTW, or perhaps as an answer to any potential 2RF troubles.

In 16 games starting in the back-row in 2024 he averaged 62.19 points per game, which is in line with his yearly average having also played six games at centre.

He’ll be reliable, but if looking for that base stat dual CTW-2RF I’d lean towards Dylan Lucas.

Brian Kelly is another genuine CTW option with huge power + base stats that is worth consideration.

Buy rating: 4/10

Cheapies

Josiah Pahulu I FRF I $254,000

Unlikely to get relevant minutes early, but monitor the round 1 team list and any availability updates on Reagan Campbell-Gillard.

Buy rating: 2/10