NRL Market Watch: Jamayne Isaako signs multi-year Dolphins extension

Jamayne Isaako produced the most dominant points scoring season since Immortal Mal Meninga in 1990 and now the Dolphins flyer has been rewarded with a bumper new contract.

Reborn Kiwis flyer Jamayne Isaako has celebrated his remarkable career resurrection by inking a new contract with the Dolphins.

Isaako has signed a new deal that will see him remain with the Redcliffe expansion club until at least the end of 2026 following a sensational debut season with the Dolphins.

Isaako became the first player since Immortal Mal Meninga in 1990 to claim both the top try-scorer and top points-scorer awards in the NRL on his way to being named in the Dally M team of the year.

The flying winger scored a stunning 24 tries in 24 games for the Dolphins this season and was the only player to feature in every round for the NRL’s 17th franchise.

He also kicked 73 goals and two field goals for a personal tally of 244 points, which equated to 47 per cent of the Dolphins’ 520 points for the season.

Isaako, 27, took out the inaugural Arthur Beetson Medal as the Dolphins’ player of the year and will feature for New Zealand in the upcoming Pacific Championships.

Jamayne Isaako scored 24 tries in 24 games. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty

It was a whirlwind year for Isaako, who finished the 2022 season playing for Tweed Heads in the Hostplus Cup after being dropped by the Titans following a failed mid-year switch from the Broncos.

Reuniting with former Broncos coach Wayne Bennett at the Dolphins, and sticking to his best position on the wing, helped Isaako rediscover the form that made him Dally M rookie of the year in 2018.

Isaako was one of the first players to sign with the Dolphins, initially inking a three-year contract to leave the Broncos, and has been rewarded with a further one-year extension well before he was due to come off-contract.

Dolphins CEO Terry Reader said Isaako’s 2023 performances were mind-blowing.

“Jamayne could simply have not played any better in 2023,” he said.

“To become the first person in 33 years to be the NRL’s top try scorer and point scorer in the same year was an outstanding effort.

Isaako was back to his best in 2023. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty

“And to do that in a team that finished outside of the top eight makes it an even greater achievement. When Mal Meninga did it in 1990, his team won the grand final.

“The dedication and drive Jamayne has showed this year to be the best he can has turned him into an elite player in the competition.

“So extending his contract to ensure he is a Dolphin for at least another three years was an easy decision for the club to make.”

After finishing 13th in their debut NRL season, the Dolphins are plotting a finals ambush next year.

They will be boosted by the arrival of Brisbane’s grand final duo Herbie Farnworth and Tom Flegler along with top Bulldogs prospect Jake Averillo.

The Dolphins also last week snared Knights young gun Oryn Keeley on a three-year contract.