NRL Market watch: Dolphins sign Jeremy Marshall-King, Jack Bostock and Kurt Donoghoe

Fresh off a big victory over the Sharks the Dolphins have moved to secure three stars of the future with a talented trio pledging their futures to the club.

(L-R) Kurt Donoghoe, Jeremy Marshall-King and Jack Bostock.

The high-flying Dolphins have pulled off a triple contract coup with Jeremy Marshall-King, Jack Bostock and Kurt Donoghoe set to ink new deals in the wake of Redcliffe’s boilover win over the Sharks.

This masthead can reveal the Dolphins have ramped-up their retention drive with Marshall-King, Bostock and Donoghoe pledging their futures to a club charging towards a historic finals berth.

The Dolphins have become the fairytale story of the NRL, with Wayne Bennett’s troops on track for a head-spinning top-four spot in just their second season after a stunning Sharks ambush on Thursday night.

The against-the-odds 30-28 victory – headlined by Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow’s jaw-dropping try of the season – has cemented the Dolphins in fourth and the NRL’s 17th team is surging towards a maiden playoffs campaign.

Now Bennett’s men are keeping the faith. The Dolphins are expected to announce upgrades next week for Marshall-King, Bostock and Donoghoe in a multimillion-dollar retention drive ahead of Friday night’s round 16 blockbuster against Melbourne at Suncorp Stadium.

(L-R) Kurt Donoghoe, Jeremy Marshall-King and Jack Bostock.

Donoghoe is set to agree terms for another 12 months, towering winger Bostock is committed for 2027 and Kiwi Test ace Marshall-King, one of the form hookers of the NRL, will remain until the end of 2028.

It follows the retention of boom lock Max Plath and playmaking sensation Isaiya Katoa, who signed a three-year extension in February to remain at Redcliffe for the 2028 season.

Having secured Marshall-King, Bostock and Donoghoe, the Dolphins will turn their attention to keeping off-contract playmaker Kodi Nikorima, who was outstanding on Thursday night.

The rejuvenated 30-year-old captained the side against the Sharks, produced two try assists and has been offered a two-year extension by the Dolphins.

“He had a tough assignment and he did a great job for us,” Bennett said of Nikorima. “Kodi really has matured.”

The Dolphins are constructing the nucleus of not only a finals team, but a future premiership contender, and coach Bennett was blown away by his side’s resilience to shock ladder leaders the Sharks in Sydney.

After bolting to a 22-0 lead, the Dolphins collapsed to trail 24-22, only for the ‘Hammer’s’ 95-metre spectacular to edge Redcliffe home for their eighth victory from 13 games.

“You can’t afford to turn your TV off when the Dolphins are playing,” Bennett said with his trademark wry grin.

“It’s remarkable how we can hang in there and come back, it’s pretty special.

“We have been a pretty good footy team this season.

“We didn’t expect to come here and lose.

“We were losing our way but that’s what I admire about them, the way they hang in there.

“After Hammer scored that try it didn’t look like they would be beaten again.

“We had to do a lot of things right and we did.

“Our results have been good all season and it highlights we can match it with these top teams.”

Tabuai-Fidow goes into Maroons camp for Origin II on the ultimate high and Bennett compared the fullback superstar to Broncos centre legend Steve Renouf.

Asked if Tabuai-Fidow is the most gifted player he has coached, Bennett said: “Steve Renouf ... everyone forgets about him, he was wonderful and had special gifts.

“He and Hammer would be the two in my time who have that absolute magic to get to the tryline and create that moment.

“That try is in the top two or three. Steve Renouf scored a try I will never forget and I will never forget this one either.

“We are very fortunate to have Hammer.”