The official team lists are in for the Dolphins vs Roosters preliminary final, with the Dolphins sticking with the side that beat the Warriors while Sydney receives a massive boost through the return of Sam Walker. Walker’s comeback reunites him with Daly Cherry-Evans and adds another dimension to a Roosters attack facing a Dolphins side that has won eight straight at Suncorp Stadium.
Biggest Winners – Dolphins
Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
The Hammer remains at fullback in an unchanged Dolphins starting side. His support play and speed through the middle make him the Dolphins player I’d target first in the try market.
Our Tip: Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow – Anytime Try Scorer
Herbie Farnworth
Farnworth retains his centre position with Selwyn Cobbo outside him, giving the Dolphins a powerful attacking combination on that edge.
Our Tip: Herbie Farnworth – Anytime Try Scorer
Isaiya Katoa
Katoa keeps the No.7 jersey alongside Kodi Nikorima after helping guide the Dolphins into their first preliminary final. The unchanged spine is significant against a Roosters side changing its halves combination again.
Our Tip: Isaiya Katoa – 1+ Try Assist
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Biggest Losers – Dolphins
Roosters’ Halves Change
The biggest concern for the Dolphins is Walker’s return. Trent Robinson has confirmed the halfback is 100 per cent ready after syndesmosis surgery, with DCE shifting back to five-eighth.
Betting Impact: The Roosters’ outside backs become more attractive with Walker and Cherry-Evans together.
Dolphins’ Edge Defence
Mark Nawaqanitawase has scored five tries in three games against the Dolphins, making him the obvious Roosters player for the Dolphins’ edges to contain.
Our Tip: Mark Nawaqanitawase – Anytime Try Scorer
Felise Kaufusi
Kaufusi is back in the squad after last playing NRL in Round 25, but he’s not currently part of the starting 17.
Betting Impact: Avoid his workload markets unless he’s promoted into the final side.
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Biggest Winners – Roosters
Sam Walker
This is comfortably the biggest team-list change. Walker returns just 24 days after suffering a syndesmosis injury and undergoing surgery, going straight back into the No.7 jersey.
Our Tip: Sam Walker – 1+ Try Assist
Mark Nawaqanitawase
Nawaqanitawase’s record against the Dolphins jumps off the page: five tries from three games. Having Walker back should only improve the quality of attacking ball reaching the Roosters’ edges.
Our Tip: Mark Nawaqanitawase – Anytime Try Scorer
Daly Cherry-Evans
Walker’s return allows DCE to shift back to five-eighth rather than carrying the entire organising responsibility at halfback.
Our Tip: Daly Cherry-Evans – 1+ Try Assist
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Biggest Losers – Roosters
Hugo Savala
Savala moves out of the starting halves and onto the extended interchange following Walker’s return.
Betting Impact: His attacking involvement becomes far less predictable, so avoid his playmaking props.
Egan Butcher
Butcher has been cleared through the concussion protocols but was removed when the Roosters trimmed their squad to 19 on Thursday.
Betting Impact: Salesi Foketi and Siua Wong remain the starting edge forwards.
Suncorp Stadium Record
The Dolphins have won eight consecutive matches at Suncorp Stadium, while they also defeated the Roosters in both regular-season meetings this year.
Betting Impact: Those trends make the player markets more appealing than automatically siding with the Roosters because Walker is back.
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Early Betting Verdict
Walker’s return significantly strengthens the Roosters, but the Dolphins’ stability shouldn’t be underestimated. Kristian Woolf has retained the same starting 17 that beat the Warriors, while the Dolphins have won their last eight at Suncorp and went 2-0 against the Roosters during the regular season.
Mark Nawaqanitawase – Anytime Try Scorer
This is the standout matchup stat. Nawaqanitawase has scored five tries in three games against the Dolphins, and Walker’s return gives the Roosters another elite playmaker capable of creating space for him.
Our Tip: Mark Nawaqanitawase – Anytime Try Scorer
Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow – Anytime Try Scorer
The Hammer remains the Dolphins’ most dangerous attacking player and can find the line from almost anywhere.
Our Tip: Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow – Anytime Try Scorer
Herbie Farnworth – Anytime Try Scorer
Farnworth gives us another Dolphins option, particularly with Cobbo outside him providing another threat for the Roosters to account for.
Our Tip: Herbie Farnworth – Anytime Try Scorer
Sam Walker – Try Assists
Walker hasn’t been brought back early simply to play a limited role. Robinson says he’s 100 per cent ready, and he immediately regains the halfback jersey.
Our Tip: Sam Walker – 1+ Try Assist
Isaiya Katoa – Try Assists
Katoa has Tabuai-Fidow, Isaako, Bostock, Farnworth and Cobbo available around him in an unchanged Dolphins backline.
Our Tip: Isaiya Katoa – 1+ Try Assist
Jeremy Marshall-King – Tackles
A preliminary final against a Roosters pack featuring Whyte, Collins, Radley and Leniu should create plenty of defensive work through the middle.
Our Tip: Jeremy Marshall-King – Over Tackles
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Best Bet From The Team Lists
Mark Nawaqanitawase – Anytime Try Scorer
Nawaqanitawase has scored five tries in only three appearances against the Dolphins, easily the strongest individual matchup trend from the team-list notes.
The return of Walker is another positive. With Walker at halfback, DCE at five-eighth and Tedesco at fullback, the Roosters restore a highly experienced attacking spine for the preliminary final.
Our Tip: Mark Nawaqanitawase – Anytime Try Scorer
I’d also check Nawaqanitawase 2+ Tries with Sportsbet and TAB given his scoring record against the Dolphins.
Value Bet
Herbie Farnworth – Anytime Try Scorer
Farnworth is the Dolphins player I like as the alternative to the more obvious Hammer selection.
The Dolphins are unchanged, have won eight straight at Suncorp Stadium and beat the Roosters twice during the regular season.
With Cobbo outside him and Katoa and Nikorima controlling the attack, Farnworth should get opportunities on the edge.
Our Tip: Herbie Farnworth – Anytime Try Scorer
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Team List Betting Summary
Best Bet: Mark Nawaqanitawase – Anytime Try Scorer
Value Bet: Herbie Farnworth – Anytime Try Scorer
Other Dolphins Try Scorer: Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow – Anytime Try Scorer
Roosters Playmaker Prop: Sam Walker – 1+ Try Assist
Dolphins Playmaker Prop: Isaiya Katoa – 1+ Try Assist
Tackle Prop: Jeremy Marshall-King – Over Tackles
Other Playmaker Prop: Daly Cherry-Evans – 1+ Try Assist
Higher-Odds Play: Mark Nawaqanitawase – 2+ Tries
View Our NRL Match Centre HERE to see statistics, betting insights & tips for all games
