- Rugby League Writers
- Posts
- NRL 2026 Four Point Focus: Dolphins Breaking Down Spacings On The Goal Line
NRL 2026 Four Point Focus: Dolphins Breaking Down Spacings On The Goal Line
While Jamayne Isaako finished in the corner, the spacings around the ruck on the other side of the field provided the space out wide.
Jason Oliver
February 02, 2026
The Four Point Focus breaks down a try from every round of the 2025 NRL season, highlighting the context, shape, trigger and the lessons learned. It’s viewed with an eye on 2026 as we look for trends, breakout players and hints of what might be to come next season.
This is an off-season series for Premium subscribers who choose to support my work over the break.
Previous:
- Quick Taps On The Up?
- Ponga Guiding The Knights Attack (free)
- Defending Katoa's Deception (free)
- How Souths Use Keaon Koloamatangi On The Line
- The Triangle Leading To Cleary's Curling Grubber
- How The Roosters Exploit Kick Pressure From Marker (free)
- Scrum Play Double Bluff
- How Cleary Recreated That Grand Final Try (free)
- Breaking Down A Raiders Tap Start
- Payne Passing Through The Middle
Point 1 - The Context
The Dolphins finished the 2025 NRL season as the highest-scoring team in the comptition at 30 points per game. Dangerous all the way up the field, they move the ball from side-to-side, using their speed to cause havoc down the edges.
While hanging 44 points on the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs in Round 12, they provided a great example of spotting cues in the defensive line and how the best attacking teams fall into shape to take advantage.
Point 2 - The Shape
The shape for the Dolphins is simple.
In wanting to get the ball wide as quickly as possible, Isaiya Katoa doesn’t attempt any of his typical deception and trickery. Instead, he shovels the ball along quickly across two defenders (more on that soon) for the Dolphins to run block-to-block-to-block.
With each lead they hold up the middle for a step which pays dividends in the end.
Sign up now using this link, and you’ll have full access to everything for 90 days - free of charge - in the lead up to the 2026 NRL season.
