Kristian Woolf has reportedly made several important decisions as the Dolphins prepare for the biggest match in the club’s young history, with squad selection becoming one of the major talking points ahead of their preliminary final against the Sydney Roosters.
While the final team list has not yet been officially confirmed, the Dolphins’ remarkable 2026 campaign has already shown that Woolf is prepared to trust players who have earned their opportunity.
Familiar names, emerging talents and experienced campaigners are all competing for places as the club prepares for a historic night at Suncorp Stadium.
The secret behind Woolf’s selection philosophy has become increasingly clear throughout the season: consistency matters, but flexibility matters just as much. Earlier in the year, the Dolphins repeatedly backed unchanged combinations when performances justified continuity.
After a victory over Parramatta in Round 25, Woolf named the same 17 for the Roosters, with Max Plath returning to the back row and Brian Pouniu retained after an impressive performance.
Pouniu’s continued involvement showed that young players who take their opportunities can quickly become part of the senior squad.
That philosophy has now become especially important because the Dolphins have reached their first NRL preliminary final. Their 26–16 qualifying-final victory over the Warriors in Auckland was one of the
most important results in the club’s short history. The Dolphins endured an early injury to Thomas Flegler, a difficult penalty count and intense pressure before producing a remarkable second-half performance.
Woolf praised his players for their bravery, explaining that they had faced numerous obstacles but continued defending their line and working for each other.
The coach’s words revealed what he values most when selecting his team. Rather than focusing purely on individual reputation, Woolf repeatedly emphasizes resilience, preparation and the ability to remain connected under pressure.
After defeating the Warriors, he said he was “extremely proud” of the group and praised the effort shown when circumstances were going against them. He also stressed that the players deserved the credit for reaching the position they are in.
That message is significant because it suggests selection will be based heavily on the qualities that carried the Dolphins through their first finals challenge.
One of the biggest selection questions surrounds the forward pack. Thomas Flegler left the Warriors match after suffering a concussion and was taken from the field after displaying Category 1 symptoms.
His availability therefore became an important issue for the Dolphins heading into the preliminary final. Any change involving the starting middle could have consequences for the interchange bench and the overall rotation.
Woolf has depth available, but replacing an experienced forward in a preliminary final represents a major tactical decision rather than a simple positional change.
The backline also contains several intriguing possibilities. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow remains one of the Dolphins’ most dangerous attacking weapons, while Herbie Farnworth, Selwyn Cobbo and Jack Bostock provide Woolf with multiple options.
During the qualifying final, the Dolphins showed that their outside backs could punish defensive mistakes when the forwards and halves created space. The coaching staff therefore has to balance defensive reliability against attacking explosiveness.
Against a Roosters side that scored 46 points against Cronulla, that balance could become one of the defining elements of the contest.
Isaiya Katoa is another player whose role will attract enormous attention. The young halfback was central to the Dolphins’ comeback against the Warriors, using his kicking game to help change the momentum.
After the match, Katoa described Woolf as one of the biggest influences on the way the team plays and explained that the coach had given the group confidence throughout the season.
He also emphasized that the Dolphins did not need to completely change their preparation simply because the match was a final. That calm approach reflects Woolf’s broader philosophy.
The opponent makes the selection puzzle even more fascinating. The Roosters destroyed the Sharks 46–10 in their semi-final, scoring five second-half tries and producing the biggest finals score in the club’s 118-year history.
James Tedesco produced an outstanding performance, while Mark Nawaqanitawase scored twice and ran for 187 metres. The result means Woolf’s Dolphins will face a side arriving with considerable momentum. The
coaching staff therefore has to decide whether to retain the combination that defeated the Warriors or introduce changes specifically designed to counter the Roosters’ attacking threats.
There is also a powerful historical element behind the match. The Dolphins have only been in the NRL for four seasons, yet they are now one victory away from their first Grand Final.
The club has officially confirmed that the preliminary final will be played at Suncorp Stadium on Friday, September 25, at 7:50pm. Woolf and his players will therefore have a home crowd
behind them as they attempt to extend a season that has already exceeded many expectations. The selection announcement will be closely watched because every decision now carries enormous consequences.
The biggest secret, however, may be that Woolf does not appear interested in selecting players simply because their names are familiar. His 2026 team lists repeatedly demonstrated a willingness to reward form, trust emerging players and maintain combinations when they work.
That approach has helped the Dolphins develop remarkable resilience during their first finals campaign. Until the official preliminary-final team list is released, reports of specific surprise omissions or inclusions should therefore be treated cautiously.
What is certain is that Woolf now faces the most important selection decision of his Dolphins tenure, with a place in the NRL Grand Final waiting on the other side.