He proved a try-scoring threat at close range for the Central Queensland Capras in 2025, scoring nine tries from 15 appearances, and looms as an option for coach Kristian Woolf to use off the bench until his mentor Marshall-King makes his comeback.
“I’ve been here nearly three years and just been learning off him, soaking up everything at hooker, and he’s been a good mentor I’d say,” Fineanganofo said.
“Coming from union, there’s a lot of different stuff you have to learn, so I’m soaking in everything from Jeremy Marshall-King.”
The Dolphins have runs on the board when it comes to promoting reserve grade talent and turning them into NRL sensations – Plath and fullback Trai Fuller the leading examples, while forward Aublix Tawha impressed last season before joining the Brisbane Broncos.
While Fineanganofo has proven an attacking threat in the lower ranks, he admitted he was partaking in a gruelling transformation to ensure he would be ready to answer a call from Woolf.
“It’s obviously a massive opportunity for myself, but at the moment I’m just focusing on getting fitter. That’s one thing I’ve lacked in the last few years,” Fineanganofo said.
“It’s another door that can be opened. It’s just up to me if I take it with both hands and run away with it.”