Saifiti says Woolf behind Dolphins move for NRL 2025 season
Daniel Saifiti has explained that a desire to work under coach Kristian Woolf again is behind his move from the Newcastle Knights to the Dolphins in 2025.
The 28-year-old had been with the Knights his entire career, debuting in 2016 and playing 183 games for the club over the following nine years.
However, the Fijian prop was given permission to negotiate with other NRL clubs this year, settling on a three-year contract with the Dolphins.
“I think though the roster’s top notch there, there are representative players all over the park, but probably the main thing was coming under ‘Woolfy’ again,” Saifiti said on Tuesday.
“I only had him for one year in 2019, but me and him built a real close relationship there and we’ve kept in touch ever since.
“When he rang my manager, I pretty much knew after that first phone call that this is the club for me, so I’m just glad he made the call and I’m here now.”
Saifiti also cited a need to step outside of his comfort zone, having become one of the senior players at Newcastle.
“I would say I did want to get out of my comfort zone,” he said.
“I probably was there, and I was one of the senior boys at Newcastle.
“Me and my brother Jacob, we were probably the last two there over the last decade.
“So, you get in that comfort zone, even if you don’t mean to do it.
“But I knew it was time. I had a sit down with my partner and we knew we were ready to move.”
The Dolphins are yet to make the NRL finals in two attempts, with Saifiti’s old club extinguishing their hopes in round 27 this year.
Rugby league bookmakers have the Redcliffe-based side at $3.50 odds to make the top eight in 2025, but Saifiti is confident the Dolphins will be able to make amends next year.
“I think they’ve gotten better obviously from 2023 to 2024 and they’re looking to go one better this year (2025),” he said.
“I’ve spoke to a couple of boys about it, obviously, whoever won that game last year out of us and Newcastle made the eight.
“So, I think not making it left a sour taste in a few of the boys’ mouths and it’s just extra motivation to train harder and get that one step further next year.”
The Dolphins sit on the second-to-last line of outright betting to win the 2025 NRL Premiership, with Bet365 returning $51 for an unlikely title run.
