The Dolphins continue their push for a top-four finish as they return to Suncorp Stadium to face a Parramatta side eager to finish the season on a high. With both teams carrying momentum and boasting dangerous attacking weapons, this shapes as an entertaining Friday night contest.

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Matchday Details

Friday, 21st August – 8:00pm (AEST) – Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
📺 Broadcast: Nine / Fox League / Kayo
Referee: Gerard Sutton | Senior Review Official: Ashley Klein

Dolphins: 1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, 2. Jamayne Isaako, 3. Jack Bostock, 4. Herbie Farnworth, 5. Selwyn Cobbo, 6. Kodi Nikorima, 7. Isaiya Katoa (c), 8. Thomas Flegler, 9. Jeremy Marshall-King, 10. Tom Gilbert, 11. Max Plath, 12. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki, 13. Morgan Knowles, 14. Ray Stone, 15. Francis Molo, 16. Felise Kaufusi, 17. Brian Pouniu, 18. Bradley Schneider, 19. Jake Averillo, 20. Tevita Naufahu, 21. John Fineanganofo, 22. Sam Elliott

Parramatta Eels: 1. Apa Twidle, 2. Brian Kelly, 3. Will Penisini, 4. Jordan Samrani, 5. Josh Addo-Carr, 6. Ronald Volkman, 7. Mitchell Moses (c), 8. Luca Moretti, 9. Tallyn Da Silva, 10. Junior Paulo, 11. Jack Williams, 12. Kitione Kautoga, 13. Jack De Belin, 14. Harrison Edwards, 15. Saxon Pryke, 16. Teancum Brown, 17. Jezaiah Funa, 18. Sean Russell, 19. Kelma Tuilagi, 20. Araz Nanva, 21. Ryda Talagi, 22. Ryley Smith

Match Preview

A few Sharks capitulations have opened up fourth position, and the Dolphins have taken full advantage. It’s now theirs as long as they keep winning. However, their opponents are coming off an impressive performance against the Cowboys and seem intent on ending their season in a similar fashion to last year.

The 66-0 drubbing at the hands of the Roosters now seems like a distant memory for the Dolphins. Since then, they’ve put together four wins on the trot and have looked impressive for the most part. Last week, they nilled the Sea Eagles at Brookvale — a feat that hadn’t been achieved in over three decades. They’re marching towards the finals and are already well placed for their first top-eight finish, but now they have the added incentive of a potential top-four spot.

Meanwhile, the Eels continued their up-and-down form with a high-scoring win over top-eight hopefuls the Cowboys. Their recent run reads loss, win, loss, win, and they will be desperate to string two victories together for the first time since the beginning of the season.

There are minimal changes for the Dolphins, with the main one being Max Plath moving into the starting side following the loss of Connelly Lemuelu. For the Eels, Jack De Belin has been named at lock ahead of Saxon Pryke, while Kelma Tuilagi comes onto the bench for Dylan Walker, who is sidelined with a wrist injury.

At their best, the Dolphins are one of the game’s most dangerous attacking sides. Their 578 points scored puts them inside the top five in that category, while their backline is packed with speed and skill. They are particularly difficult to contain at the back end of games. On paper, that backline simply has too much for the Eels if the Dolphins get it right.

For that to happen, however, they will need to overcome a resurgent Eels pack that has taken it to its opposition over the past few weeks. Of particular note has been 2025 Ken Thornett Medallist Jack Williams, who has continued the form that saw him voted the Eels’ best last year. His barnstorming runs and quick play-the-balls have helped set the scene for the likes of Tallyn Da Silva and Mitch Moses.

The job will fall heavily on Thomas Flegler and Tom Gilbert, both State of Origin representatives, to take it to their opposite numbers in Luca Moretti and Junior Paulo. If they can win that battle through the middle, it could become all too easy for Isaiya Katoa to shift the ball to the likes of Selwyn Cobbo. He comes up against admirable opposition in players such as Brian Kelly, but Cobbo simply possesses too much size, strength, and class if given enough opportunities.

These two sides have met just three times, with the Dolphins winning two of those encounters. This will be the first time they have faced each other at Suncorp Stadium.

While the Eels will be looking to build on last week’s victory, the Dolphins simply have too much to play for with a top-four spot on the line. In front of what could be a packed Suncorp Stadium, they should have enough firepower to get the job done — and potentially do it well.

Prediction

RLZ Tip: Dolphins by 14.
Full Round 25 tips → /nrl-round-25-predictions-2026/
Bold call: Jamayne Isaako scores a double.

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