NRL 2026: Dolphins player ratings, Dolphins defeat New Zealand Warriors, finals player ratings, news, videos, highlights, analysis, tell me about this news in (https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/nrl-2026-dolphins-player-ratings-dolphins-defeat-new-zealand-warriors-finals-player-ratings-news-videos-highlights-analysis/news-story/8754b766edcbaaad8fa03b2e748e0987)

The Fox Sports report covers the Dolphins’ historic 26–16 victory over the New Zealand Warriors in Week 1 of the finals, marking the club’s first-ever finals appearance and securing their spot in the preliminary finals.After falling behind by eight points early in the match, Kristian Woolf’s side mounted a second-half comeback in a physical, heated encounter marked by three first-half sin bins and an early Category 1 concussion to prop Tom Flegler.Key Match Highlights & Storylines

• Historic Win: The victory earns the Dolphins a week off and direct qualification to the preliminary finals.
• Standout Performer: Herbie Farnworth delivered a dominant centre masterclass, running for 255 metres, scoring a crucial 61st-minute try, setting up another, and providing a tip-on assist. The performance came at a key moment ahead of the November 1 contract deadline.
• Decisive Moments: Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow scored the match-winning try following an electric kick-return break, while halfback Isaiya Katoa controlled the contest with 594 kicking metres.
• Early Setback: Prop Tom Flegler was ruled out early following a head knock attempting to tackle Mitch Barnett, forcing Kurt Donoghoe to play 70 minutes off the bench in a tireless performance.

Dolphins Player Ratings Summary

• Herbie Farnworth (9.5/10): The standout player of the match. Produced 255 running metres, a try, a wild assist for Tabuai-Fidow, and clean service on the left edge.
• Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (8.5/10): Quiet early, but exploded in the second half with a break and the match-sealing four-pointer.
• Isaiya Katoa (8.5/10): Managed territory superbly with 594 kicking metres, delivered a second-half try assist, and made 22 tackles.
• Kurt Donoghoe (8.5/10): Stepped up after Flegler’s injury, providing 70 minutes of relentless middle forward work (97 run metres, 34 tackles).
• Jeremy Marshall-King (8.5/10): Anchored the middle defence with a team-high 51 tackles alongside dangerous dummy-half runs.
• KulikCollision / Kulikefu Finefeuiaki (8/10): 80-minute performance in the second row with 110 metres and 34 tackles without a miss.
• Jack Bostock (7.5/10): Overcame early penalty trouble to score late and remain an attacking threat.
• Max Plath (7.5/10): Bounced back from an early missed tackle to record 92 run metres and 39 tackles.
• Kodi Nikorima (7/10): Sparked the left-edge attack in the second half, registering two line-break assists.
• Jamayne Isaako (6.5/10): Kicked a perfect 5 from 5 conversions/penalties and ran for 128 metres.
• Tom Gilbert (6.5/10): Provided leadership and defensive work rate with 36 tackles in 39 minutes.
• Selwyn Cobbo (6/10): Scored the opening try for the Dolphins but spent 10 minutes in the sin bin for running in during a scuffle.
• Morgan Knowles (6/10): Made 22 tackles and 42 metres in his 40-minute stint.
• Connelly Lemuelu (6/10): Returned from a hamstring injury to log 52 minutes (17 tackles, 52 metres).
• Francis Molo (5/10): Played 25 minutes off the bench in his first final appearance in 13 seasons.
• Ray Stone (5/10): Brought trademark aggression in a brief 22-minute cameo.
• Tom Flegler (N/A): Injured in the opening minutes; ruled out with a concussion, but will be eligible for the preliminary final due to the upcoming bye.