A creative genius and a point-scoring whizz make a last stand. Can the Dolphins fill the void?

Jamayne Isaako has revealed he never wanted to leave the club he helped build from the ground up, and that proved responsible for resurrecting a career he contemplated walking away from.

In three of his four seasons in Dolphins colours, the Kiwi flyer has topped the NRL scoreboard – his 1043 points coming as he featured in all 97 games of the club’s history.

“It’s hard not to be reminded of when you’re watching footy games, someone’s taking the goal kick and your name pops up on the TV,” Isaako laughed.

“But it’s something I’m certainly proud of.”

Friday night’s preliminary final showdown with the Roosters will be the last time Isaako calls Suncorp Stadium home before he departs for the Storm, with Redcliffe unable to match the offer for his services to retain their growing contingent of rising stars and off-contract marquee men.

“It is a bit of a bittersweet moment. I would have loved to have stayed here, being a foundation member and player,” Isaako admitted.

“I didn’t want to leave, but at the end of the day, everyone in the game understands how the salary cap works, and we couldn’t come to an agreement.

“Being in this finals campaign, I want to give it a red-hot crack. I’m certainly coming to the back end of my career and probably won’t get too many of these opportunities.”

Much like Dolphins hooker Jeremy Marshall-King, who conceded the Bulldogs’ decision to re-sign Reed Mahoney prompted him to explore a move from Belmore, Isaako’s career was uncertain until he received a lifeline from then-coach Wayne Bennett, having been released by the Broncos and not re-signed by the Titans in the same 2022 season.

“When I came here I was at a bit of a crossroads with my career, and I wasn’t too sure whether or not I still wanted to play footy,” Isaako said.

“I saw the quality of players, the foundation players they had signed here – the Bromwich brothers [Jesse and Kenny], Mark Nicholls, Felise Kaufusi, who were at the top of their game at the time – and I saw an opportunity to be part of a winning team.

“To be here now is certainly a great achievement.”

In a backline blessed with the flair of Herbie Farnworth, Selwyn Cobbo, Jack Bostock and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Isaako has been a calming, unflappable influence.

One of the rising stars he has mentored is part of the reason he could not be retained.

Plucked from New Zealand rugby union, Tevita Naufahu recalled his brief conversation with Bennett before securing his first NRL deal, laughing at how the super coach – known for his distaste for handshakes – grimaced when the rookie extended his hand, before labelling him “a presentable kid”.

“That’s all he told me – I look like I have good manners. The next time I came back, I had a watch on trying to look more presentable for him and prove my point,” the 20-year-old laughed.

But he takes a more serious tone when asked to reflect on what Isaako has done for him, as he vowed to continue his legacy beyond this year and “repay” the Dolphins for backing him to fill the void.

“When I moved over, I told myself it was an opportunity to become a sponge and soak up all the knowledge I get from these older blokes,” Naufahu said.

“Under pressure, Jamayne is really good. He’s taught us young boys that if you’re committed to whatever you’re going to do, stay calm and you’ll come out the right end.”

Isaako will be joined by fellow inaugural Dolphins Kodi Nikorima, Jake Averillo and Ray Stone in the departing class, and each have been pivotal in the club’s ascent.

It is the loss of Nikorima – another former Bronco – that could prove most telling, with the five-eighth forging one of the code’s most dominant halves pairings alongside halfback Isaiya Katoa.

Katoa’s kicking game has laid the foundations for the Dolphins, booting for more metres across the past three seasons than any player (30,918), while his willingness to dig deep into the defensive line and pass late for Nikorima has allowed the latter to exploit the backline.

Nikorima was also eager to remain at Redcliffe, but the recruitment of England halfback George Williams and a compelling two-year offer from the Dragons triggered his looming exit.

Katoa, however, was adamant that the Dolphins would remain a premiership threat, and felt he and Williams – who will likely vie for Isaako’s goal-kicking duties – would “definitely” strike a balance, despite both typically being dominant No.7s.

“I’m not the type to want all the glory. He’s a quality player, and a very experienced player, so I know for me, it actually helps my game,” Katoa said.

“I feel like it will take a little bit of pressure off me as well, which allows me to free up a little bit. But at the moment, I’m just building on the connection me and Kodi have.

“It’s going really well, but we know as a halves pairing, we can be better.”

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