History of Dolphins (NRL) in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: March 17, 2026

The Dolphins are a professional rugby league team participating in the Australian National Rugby League (NRL). They are based in Brisbane and primarily host their home games at Suncorp Stadium. The Dolphins are a relatively new team in the NRL, joining the competition for the 2023 season.

1908: Premiership History Record

In 1908, the record for a winning comeback in premiership history was set, which the Dolphins later equaled in 2023.

1990: Mal Meninga's Feat

In 1990, Mal Meninga last achieved the feat of recording both the highest number of NRL tries and points in the competition, which Jamayne Isaako matched in 2023.

1998: Cowboys Set Comeback Record

In 1998, the North Queensland Cowboys set the record for a comeback victory, which the Dolphins equaled in 2023.

September 2020: Redcliffe Dolphins Launch Bid for NRL Team

On 22 September 2020, the Redcliffe Dolphins launched a bid for the inclusion of a separate new team in the national competition.

2020: Redcliffe Dolphins Bid for NRL Inclusion

In 2020, the Redcliffe Dolphins launched a bid for inclusion into the NRL.

October 2021: Dolphins Granted NRL Licence

In October 2021, the Dolphins were granted a separate licence to compete as the national league's 17th side from the 2023 season onwards.

October 2021: Dolphins Unveil Heritage Jersey Design

On 27 October 2021, the Dolphins unveiled a heritage jersey design, inspired by the Redcliffe Dolphins jersey from the 1980s.

November 2021: Felise Kaufusi Signed by the Dolphins

On 26 November 2021, the Dolphins made their first major signing for their 2023 entry, recruiting Felise Kaufusi from the Melbourne Storm.

December 2021: Central Queensland Capras Secure Affiliation Deal with Dolphins

In December 2021, the Central Queensland Capras secured a full affiliation deal with the Dolphins.

2021: Team Name Considerations

In 2021, Terry Reader discussed considerations for the team name to ensure broader appeal.

May 2022: PNG Hunters Announce Strategic Partnership with Dolphins

In May 2022, the PNG Hunters announced a strategic pathways partnership with the Dolphins.

July 2022: "Phinny" Confirmed as NRL Mascot

In July 2022, "Phinny" the Dolphin was confirmed as the club's NRL mascot after a fan vote.

October 2022: Debut Home Jersey Design Unveiled

On 2 October 2022, the debut home jersey design for 2023 was unveiled.

November 2022: Pre-Season Training Commences

On 7 November 2022, pre-season training commenced for the Dolphins.

November 2022: Dolphins Pre-Season Training Begins

On 7 November 2022, pre-season training for 2023 began.

December 2022: Moreton Daily Stadium becomes Kayo Stadium

In December 2022, Moreton Daily Stadium became commercially known as Kayo Stadium from 7 December 2022.

2022: Junior Rugby League clubs fielded in 2022

In 2022, a list of Junior Rugby League clubs within the Dolphins area was compiled showing the number of teams fielded by each club: Albany Creek Crushers (20), Brighton Roosters (23), Burpengary Jets (33), Dayboro Cowboys (13), Moreton Bay Raiders (14), Narangba Rangers (23), North Lakes Kangaroos (21), Pine Central Holy Spirit Hornets (37), Pine Rivers Bears (19), Redcliffe Dolphins (45), Samford Stags (15), Valleys Diehards (21), Beachmere Pelicans (3 – U13 & above), Bribie Island Warrigals (8 – U13 & above), Caboolture Snakes (13 – U13 & above).

February 2023: Jesse Bromwich Named Dolphins Inaugural Team Captain

In February 2023, Jesse Bromwich was named as the Dolphins inaugural team captain.

February 2023: Dolphins Pre-Season Trial Matches

In February 2023, the Dolphins played pre-season trial matches against the Central Queensland Capras (winning 24-8), the North Queensland Cowboys (drawing 22-22), and the Gold Coast Titans (losing 40-16).

March 2023: Tesi Niu Scores Hat-Trick; Dolphins Lose to Broncos

In March 2023, Tesi Niu scored a hat-trick in a win against the Newcastle Knights. Later in March, the Dolphins lost to the Brisbane Broncos in the Battle for Brisbane derby.

March 2023: Dolphins Defeat Sydney Roosters in First NRL Match

On 5 March 2023, the Dolphins defeated the Sydney Roosters in their first NRL match at Suncorp Stadium.

March 2023: Dolphins' First NRL Match and Victory

On 5 March 2023, the Dolphins played their first NRL match against the Sydney Roosters at Suncorp Stadium, winning 28-18. Felise Kaufusi was awarded the Artie Legacy Medal for player of the match.

April 2023: Gnech and Associates Lawyers Partner with Dolphins

In April 2023, Brisbane law firm Gnech and Associates Lawyers became the official Legal Practice Partner of the Dolphins' NRL club on an initial two-year agreement.

April 2023: Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow Equals NRL Record; Dolphins' Comeback Victory

On April 7, 2023, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow equalled a 115-year-old NRL record. On 23 April 2023, the Dolphins completed a historic comeback to defeat the Gold Coast Titans.

August 2023: Anglo American Announced as Premier Partner

In August 2023, the Dolphins announced global miner Anglo American as its newest Premier Partner from 2024.

September 2023: Jamayne Isaako Wins Arthur Beetson Medal

In September 2023, at the Dolphins' Inaugural Presentation Ball, Jamayne Isaako was awarded the Arthur Beetson Medal Player of the Year along with other awards.

2023: Illegal Try Awarded to Dragons

During the 2023 NRL season, an illegal try on the seventh tackle was awarded to the St. George Illawarra Dragons in their loss to the Dolphins.

2023: Dolphins Compete in NRL

From 2023 onwards, the official brand name of the new club team competing in the NRL is 'Dolphins'.

2023: Dolphins' First Golden Point Game; Controversial Call

In 2023, The Dolphins played their first golden point game, losing to the Canberra Raiders. A controversial knock-on call was missed by match officials, according to the NRL.

2023: Inaugural Away Jersey Released

In 2023, specifically on 11 November, the inaugural away jersey was released.

2023: Dolphins enter NRL competition

In 2025, the Dolphins had recorded wins against every team since entering the NRL competition in 2023.

2023: Dolphins Team and Individual Records

Since they entered the NRL in 2023, a list of the Dolphins team and individual records is available.

August 2024: Dolphins Secure First Sydney Win and Defeat Broncos

In August 2024, the Dolphins achieved their first-ever win in Sydney against the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks and won against the Brisbane Broncos in the Battle for Brisbane derby.

2024: Anglo American to Become Premier Partner

From 2024, Anglo American will become the Dolphins' newest Premier Partner.

May 2025: Dolphins to play home games at TIO Stadium

In May 2025, it was announced that the Dolphins would play one home game a year at TIO Stadium in Darwin for the next three years.

2025: Statistics after Round 27 2025

After Round 27 in 2025, statistics were compiled for the Dolphins (NRL).

2025: Kristian Woolf Succeeds Wayne Bennett as Head Coach

In 2025, Kristian Woolf succeeded Wayne Bennett as head coach. Despite finishing ninth, the Dolphins scored the most points of any team in the competition.