Double delight as Dolphins land two more big fish
Sebastian Tan
The Dolphins have pulled off a double signings coup, getting Selwyn Cobbo to commit to the club until the end of 2031 and locking Kulikefu Finefeuiaki in for another two years.
With a battle on their hands to retain the current star-studded roster, the Dolphins have at least landed two blows as they prepare for the club’s maiden NRL preliminary final.
Cobbo has found his best football at the Dolphins this season, after initially joining on a one-year deal and then signing a one-year extension in April.
But off the back of scoring 18 tries in 19 games this year, the Queensland State of Origin winger is now committed to making the Dolphins his long-term home.
Finefeuiaki was also off-contract at the end of the 2027 season, meaning the second-rower would be free to negotiate with rival teams, including the tax-free PNG Chiefs on November 1.
But after a stellar season in which the 22-year-old established himself as a crucial member of the club’s forward pack and earned his State of Origin debut, the Dolphin inked a deal that keeps him at the Redcliffe-based side.
The Dolphins do have star-studded duo Herbie Farnworth and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow off contract at the end of next year, and face a battle to fit them both in the salary cap.
Jack Bostock is another outside back who will at this stage become a free agent on November 1, and will no doubt have his salary go up after a NSW State of Origin debut.
The re-signings come after the team already locked down star forwards Tom Gilbert, Kurt Donoghoe and Max Plath until at least the end of 2028. Tevita Naufahu and half Brad Schneider also re-signed on Wednesday.
Dolphins CEO Terry Reader praised the way Cobbo had hit the ground running at the Dolphins this year, after finding himself on the outer at Brisbane.
“Selwyn has made an immediate impact since joining the Dolphins, and what he has been able to produce in his first season at the club has been remarkable,” Reader said.
“It is clear the environment has really suited him and he is enjoying his football – and Selwyn’s performances are underlining that.
“At just 24 years of age we know there is still plenty of great football ahead of him, and we’re excited that will be in a Dolphins jersey.
“He has quickly become an important part of our team, and to have a player of Selwyn’s calibre committed to the club through until the end of 2031 is a great result.”
Meanwhile, after making his NRL debut for North Queensland in 2023, Finefeuiaki moved south in 2025 and has enjoyed regular minutes since.
“What I think has been most impressive about Kuli’s rise in our squad has been his transformation as a player,” Reader said.
“His work to turn himself into an 80-minute player on the edge who now plays State of Origin has been extremely impressive.
“We see Kuli as one of the cornerstones of our pack and are excited about what he can do for this club, not only in this finals series, but over the next few years.”
AAP
