The Dolphins are coming off a bye while the Panthers are coming off their first defeat of the season as they take the NRL roadshow to Darwin on Friday night.

Kristian Woolf’s men are sure to have done some soul-searching during their week off after losses to the Broncos and Sea Eagles in which they were outscored by a combined score of 78-30.

The Dolphins’ ability to score points has never been in question but unless they can muscle up in defence they could be in for a very long night against a Panthers outfit looking to hit back from the loss to the Bulldogs.

A number of the Panthers’ stars were off their game in the 32-16 defeat but they rarely string two bad games together so expect Nathan Cleary and Isaah Yeo to have their charges ready to fire.

The last time the sides met was Round 6, 2025 when the Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow lit up Suncorp Stadium with 256 metres and a hat-trick to lead the Woolf pack to a 30-12 win.

Team News

Dolphins: Brad Schneider wears the No.14 jersey with Kurt Donoghoe sidelined. Oryn Keeley is the new man on the bench. No other changes to the team beaten heavily by the Sea Eagles before the bye.

Panthers: Premiership-winning centre Izack Tago will play his first NRL game of the season and the 100th of his career as he comes in for the suspended Casey McLean. The absence of star back-rower Liam Martin (knee) sees Luke Garner join the starting side and Kalani Going added to the bench. 

Stat Attack

Dolphins fullback Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow has scored six tries in three games against the Panthers.
Panthers prop Moses Leota has scored a try in all three games against the Dolphins.
Dolphins centre Jake Averillo has scored seven tries in his last six NRL games.
Panthers centre Izack Tago will make his 100th NRL appearance.
Dolphins winger Jamayne Isaako requires three points for 800 points for the club.

Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.