Hot favourites for the wooden spoon before a ball was kicked in their maiden season in 2023, the Dolphins exceeded all expectations by finishing 13th.
And the team was travelling superbly mid-season before injuries and lack of depth brought them undone and they crashed and burned, losing 10 of their last 12 games.
Wayne Bennett and recruitment guru Peter O'Sullivan have worked hard to steady the ship, getting rid of some dead wood and signing three top-flight players in Herbie Farnworth (Broncos), Thomas Flegler (Broncos) and Jake Averillo (Bulldogs).
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The Dolphins have the squad to make the finals this year – if they learn the lessons from their poor end to last season and have a good run with injury.
But the Dolphins' greatest weapon last season – right from the shock first round defeat of the Roosters – was their ability to ambush rivals.
They went into most games as underdogs and Bennett was able to get his troops to hustle and bustle their way to victory.
That advantage is now gone – rivals enter games this year knowing they're are in for a tight tussle against Redcliffe and the underestimating factor is no more.
BENNETT'S BIG CALL
Bennett faces a dilemma over what to do with enigmatic five-eighth Anthony Milford in 2024.
Milford has been around a long time and turns 30 mid-season, but his career has been on the downward spiral in recent years.
Despite his class and experience, he played just 11 games in the Dolphins' inaugural season, winning only three of those.
The former Raider, Bronco and Knight comes off contract at the end of the year and it will take a massive turnaround for him to earn a new deal at the club.
STAR WINGER A MARKED MAN
Can Jamayne Isaako continue his remarkable resurgence in 2024?
The speedy outside back had a remarkable season last year after several years in the wilderness.
Bennett gambled on the 27-year-old Kiwi and Isaako repaid him in spades.
In a team that failed to make the finals, Isaako finished both top pointscorer AND top tryscorer – a remarkable achievement.
Isaako scored some spectacular tries and quickly became a fan favourite – but his form last season will make him a marked man in the campaign ahead.
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