Dolphins forward Daniel Saifiti has cast doubt on his availability for the opening round of the 2026 NRL season as he continues his recovery from a serious shoulder injury.
Saifiti's Race Against Time for Round One
The former Newcastle Knights prop, who joined the Redcliffe-based club ahead of the 2025 season, is working his way back from a shoulder reconstruction that ended his 2025 campaign after just eight rounds. Speaking on SEN 1170 radio, Saifiti admitted his start to the new season is uncertain.
"It's been a bit of a slow process," Saifiti said. "I'm over six months post-surgery... but it's just taken a bit longer. I started contact late last year and it's coming along nicely, but I'll be touch and go for round one. I'm just not sure."
The Central Coast product, who should make his 200th NRL appearance this year, is in the second season of a three-year deal with the Dolphins. His potential absence would be a blow for a club aiming to secure its maiden finals berth in its fourth NRL season.
Injury Crisis Paves Way for Breakout Stars
Saifiti was one of several key Dolphins forwards sidelined for large parts of 2025, with Tom Gilbert (10 games), Tom Flegler (entire season), Max Plath (8 games) and Felise Kaufusi also missing significant time. Despite this, coach Kristian Woolf's team finished ninth with 12 wins and 12 losses, narrowly missing the finals.
The injury crisis provided extended opportunities for fringe players, including fellow ex-Newcastle Knights Kurt Donoghoe and Oryn Keeley. Saifiti singled out Keeley, a 23-year-old back-rower who played 16 games last year, for special praise.
"Oryn Keeley has had a good pre-season. I think he is a really good player," said Saifiti, who has played 191 NRL games. "With all the injuries last year, a lot of boys got more first grade... I thought he was really impressive."
Keeley, a Northern Lakes Warriors junior, recently signed a two-year deal with the Melbourne Storm commencing in 2027, but Saifiti expects a big season from him before the move.
Dolphins Bolster Squad for Finals Assault
With a host of stars returning from injury and some key off-season signings, the Dolphins are shaping as a genuine finals contender. The club has added former Brisbane Broncos back Selwyn Cobbo and Penrith Panthers playmaker Brad Schneider to a squad that already features boom halfback Isaiya Katoa and star centre Herbie Farnworth.
The Dolphins were the NRL's best attacking team in 2025, scoring 721 points in the regular season – the only club to surpass 700. Saifiti believes the increased depth and competition at training is lifting standards across the board.
"We've talked about being an elite team and having elite standards at training," the 29-year-old said. "The way we train has definitely lifted from last year... Training against each other, some of the blokes I'm running at, it's just crazy. It's a good problem for 'Woolfy' to have."
The Dolphins begin their 2026 campaign against the South Sydney Rabbitohs at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday, March 8. They will face Saifiti's former club, the Newcastle Knights, in Newcastle during round 18.
