Matchday Details
Thursday, 2 April 2026 – 8:00pm AEDT – Kayo Stadium, Brisbane
📺 Kayo / Foxtel
Referee: Grant Atkins | Senior Review Official: Liam Kennedy
Dolphins: 1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, 2. Jamayne Isaako, 3. Jake Averillo, 4. Herbie Farnworth, 5. Selwyn Cobbo, 6. Kodi Nikorima, 7. Isaiya Katoa (c), 8. Tom Gilbert, 9. Max Plath, 10. Felise Kaufusi, 11. Connelly Lemuelu, 12. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki, 13. Morgan Knowles, 14. Bradley Schneider, 15. Thomas Flegler, 16. Ray Stone, 17. Francis Molo, 18. Kurt Donoghoe, 19. Trai Fuller, 20. Oryn Keeley, 21. Tevita Naufahu, 22. Brian Pouniu
Sea Eagles: 1. Tom Trbojevic (c), 2. Clayton Faulalo, 3. Tolutau Koula, 4. Reuben Garrick, 5. Lehi Hopoate, 6. Luke Brooks, 7. Jamal Fogarty, 8. Taniela Paseka, 9. Brandon Wakeham, 10. Kobe Hetherington, 11. Haumole Olakau’atu, 12. Ben Trbojevic, 13. Jake Trbojevic, 14. Jake Simpkin, 15. Corey Waddell, 16. Ethan Bullemor, 17. Simione Laiafi, 18. Paul Bryan, 19. Josh Feledy, 20. Joey Walsh, 21. Jackson Shereb, 22. Blake Wilson
Match Preview
The Dolphins return to their heartland at Kayo Stadium, Redcliffe, for the first time in 2026 as they look to bounce back from a disappointing Battle of Brisbane to open NRL Round 5.
The Manly Sea Eagles are searching for their first win of the season — a winless start that has already cost Anthony Seibold his job as head coach.
The Dolphins sit in eighth spot on the ladder with a 2-2 record to start the season and would see this Easter Thursday clash as a winnable one if they are to challenge for a top eight spot come September. Manly’s two competition points (from a bye) and slightly better for-and-against are currently saving them from dead last, but their winless start – including three home losses – has raised serious concerns.
The biggest team news for the Dolphins is the return of Kurt Donoghoe on the bench. Donoghoe was one of the Dolphins best in 2025 and his contributions have been sorely missed so far this season. He is expected to take Brad Schneider’s place on the bench, as Kristian Woolf would want the forward impact of Tom Flegler and Francis Molo. That leaves the choice between Ray Stone or Trai Fuller, and few coaches would dare to omit a fit Ray Stone.
For Manly, Jason Saab is serving a one-game suspension for a high shot on Hugo Savala with Clayton Faulalo coming in as his replacement. Faulalo has played 11 games for the Sea Eagles since 2024 and has a return of six tries. Joey Walsh and Blake Wilson are added to the bench, giving new interim coach Kieran Foran some fresh options to consider. Joey Walsh has three tries, two try assists and four line breaks in the two NSW Cup he has played in 2026.
This week’s news has dominated the Dolphins lead-up with Jamayne Isaako announcing that he will move to the Melbourne Storm in 2027. Although family considerations for Isaako were key, it’s disappointing for their fanbase that the winger will be leaving the club, having been an underrated part of the club’s success so far, playing every minute since their inception in 2023.
Aside from a very good second half against the Sharks, the Dolphins have looked a little out of sorts in attack so far in 2026. There has been glimpses of their attacking best which wowed the NRL during 2025, but overall it has been underwhelming, especially last weekend’s Battle of Brisbane where they scored only twice and once was from an Ezra Mam assist.
It could be argued that the Dolphins needed to bring on their special weapon Trai Fuller from the bench last weekend. With Connelly Lemuelu and Kulikefu Finefeuiaki banging out 80 minutes, the Dolphins can afford the luxury of Fuller as the game breaker, and they look like they have needed it. If the attack lacks spark again this weekend, Herbie Farnworth’s efforts aside, Kristian Woolf may look to shuffle his back around.
Kieran Foran was the slightly surprising choice to take on the interim head coaching role at Manly, but his links with Sea Eagles might lead to a happier dressing room. The Dolphins may be the unlucky victims of the new coach bounce on Thursday night. At a minimum, you can expect Jake Trbojevic to have a big game — his name has been thrown around in the days after Seibold’s sacking as a key factor in Manly’s woes. Most will admit his stats on paper don’t look great, but there’s more he can bring for Manly and Foran may be the one to unlock it.
Overall the Dolphins look to have the advantage in the forwards with four big props in rotation, two 80-minute second rowers led by in-form Kulikefu Finefeuiaki and Ray Stone to close the gaps at pace. That’s not dismissing the Manly pack entirely, and they are a hard-working group, but on paper maybe lack the punch the Dolphins forwards can give at their best. In saying that, the potential battle of Haumole Olakau’atu and Finefeuiaki should be a beauty.
Given the potential forward advantage, it should give Isaiya Katoa time to shine, and there have been glimpses of the talent that has him in NSW Blues future plans. He has some great strike weapons out wide if he avoids the last tackle bomb kicks, including arguably the best centre in the competition in Herbie Farnworth.
The battle of Hammer versus Turbo does sound like something that could headline an American wrestling bout, and at full flight the two should give fans at Kayo Stadium as much entertainment with a fraction of the dramatics.
The Dolphins only play a handful of games at Kayo Stadium each season as the bills need to be paid by playing at Suncorp Stadium, and their record overall since joining in 2023 is W5 L3. They are unbeaten on a Thursday at Kayo in their two previous games. Manly have a woeful record away from home on a Thursday, their record is W1 L10. Their 2025 away record was W4 L8. In Queensland they W1 L1.
Manly have handed out back-to-back thrashings of the Dolphins in 2024 and 2025, scoring 58 points in both games. The 2025 clash was particularly demoralising as the Dolphins needed to win to keep a first finals tilt on track. The Dolphins have won the only clash in Queensland, at Suncorp Stadium.
Prediction
RLZ Tip: Dolphins by 22
Bold call: A second half blitz for the Dolphins to score five tries to none, including a double to Kulikefu Finefeuiaki.
Related
- NRL Round 5 2026 Predictions & Tips
- NRL Round 5 Team Lists – 2026 Season
- NRL 2026 Results Tracker
- 2026 NRL Match Review Results Tracker: Charges, Suspensions & Fines
- NRL Injury List 2026
