The Dolphins plummeted down the ladder in 2024 after Wayne Bennett signed with the Rabbitohs.
Queensland and Dolphins star Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow has admitted training standards have vastly improved since former coach Wayne Bennett’s departure to the Rabbitohs. The Dolphins were in strong form in 2024 under coach Bennett, sitting in fourth place after 10 rounds. But news broke in the middle of the season Bennett would join the South Sydney Rabbitohs in 2025.
And momentum changed at the Dolphins after the news with Bennett constantly asked about the Latrell Mitchell saga and his future role at the Rabbitohs throughout the season. The distraction may have taken a toll on the club with the Dolphins failing to make the top eight come the end of the year.
A lot was put down to injuries and players’ form dipping towards the vital end of the season. However, Bennett copped plenty of criticism with accusations his attention was split between two clubs.
And Tabuai-Fidow, nickname ‘The Hammer’, has made a telling claim the training standards have improved in 2025 under new coach Kristian Woolf. Tabuai-Fidow admitted the end of the season was not up to standards in 2024 and there is a real energy around the club as Woolf puts the team through their strides in a tough pre-season.
“The standards have gone up a level,” he told The Courier Mail on the differences under Woolf. “The way Woolfy, Rory (Kostjasyn) and ‘Fieny’ (Nathan Fien, assistant coaches) are pushing the boys … they’ve all put their hand up, willing to work hard for each other.
“We dropped off a little bit (last year). Our standards weren’t as high as they are now coming into the pre-season with the way the boys have been training.”
The comments certainly reflect the standards to finish off the 2024 season where the Dolphins lost six of their last eight games to miss out on NRL finals footy. Bennett also experimented with his team and moved ‘The Hammer’ to centre.
While Tabuai-Fidow plays centre for the Maroons in State of Origin, his best position is considered to be at fullback. And it appears Wolfe will keep flyer in the No.1 jersey to start the 2025 season. Tabuai-Fidow admitted he was happy to play centre to help the team he was ready to take his game to the next level and prove he is one of the best fullbacks in the game.
Josh Kerr praises new coach Kristian Woolf
The Hammer isn’t the only player to comment on the new standards at the club. Speaking last year, prop Josh Kerr admitted the training has been different under the directions of Woolf.
“It’s definitely true,” Kerr said when pressed on the talk that the new boss had been ruthless in pre-season training. “You know what Woolfy is like. He is hard-nosed. I thought it was going to be a militaristic thing and it kind of is.
“The boys are saying he has got high standards and that is the best way I can describe it as well because he comes in and makes it very clear with you. There is no beating around the bush with him. He will tell you exactly what he wants. I am not saying other coaches don’t do that, but he is very direct.”
Dolphins come up against Wayne Bennett in round one
In an intriguing match-up to start the 2025 season, the Dolphins will come up against Bennett’s new club in South Sydney. And Bennett has been working to get opposing fullback Latrell Mitchell back to his devastating best.
And images have emerged of Rabbitohs training of the 27-year-old looking fit ahead of the new season. Unfortunately, Mitchell will miss the opening game against the Dolphins as he serves a one-game suspension from the NRL.
