NRL Market Watch: Dolphins re-sign Max Plath, poach Kulikefu Finefeuiaki, Cowboys extend Heilum Luki

Just one day after poaching one of the NRL’s most destructive young forwards, the Dolphins have continued to prepare for life after Wayne Bennett by securing the son of a Broncos great.

Kulikefu Finefeuiaki of the Cowboys. Picture: Getty Images

The Dolphins have primed themselves for life after Wayne Bennett by poaching one of the NRL’s most destructive young forwards and locking up the son of a Broncos great.

On the back of Cowboys wrecking ball Kulikefu Finefeuiaki defecting to the Dolphins, Max Plath has become the latest player to commit his future to the NRL’s youngest club.

Plath has inked a three-year contract extension which will see him remain with the Dolphins until at least the end of the 2027 NRL season, joining Tom Flegler, Tom Gilbert, Isaiya Katoa, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Finefeuiaki and Tigers recruit Junior Tupou on long-term deals at Redcliffe.

The son of four-time Broncos premiership winner John Plath, Max said he was thrilled to secure his NRL future following six games in the top grade.

Max Plath has signed a new deal with the Dolphins. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

“It’s been great, I’m enjoying my footy this year,” he said.

“With Tom (Gilbert, knee) going down injured it opened up an opportunity for me. I’ve surprised myself too. I’m around such great players that make my job easier.

“It’s awesome to know I’m here for a few more years and the club wants me here long-term.

“I’m stoked about it. I just want to keep winning footy games and help this club get to the finals.”

Plath, 22, has been rewarded for a hot start to the season for the top four Dolphins which has seen him become one of the NRL’s most reliable defenders heading into Sunday’s clash with Newcastle at Suncorp Stadium.

Starting at lock in place of injured Maroons star Gilbert, Plath has become the Dolphins’ new defensive workhorse.

Plath has averaged 53 minutes per match across four games this season, made 128 tackles and not missed one.

He is the only Dolphins player to have not missed a tackle this year and even scored two tries in last week’s thrashing of Parramatta in Darwin, his return from a two-match hip drop suspension.

Max is the son of former Broncos premiership winner John Plath (left), here pictured alongside Darren Lockyer & Steve Renouf after Brisbane defeated Sydney City Roosters in the preliminary final in 1998.

A former fullback-halfback that once completed a train-and-trial with the Broncos, Plath played down his defensive statistics and said life was simpler playing in the forwards.

“Being in the middle makes it a bit easier. You just have to get up in peoples’ faces and make the effort,” he said.

“On the edge you’re a bit isolated and it’s easier to miss tackles. Having people around you helps. If you hit and stick, others will help.

“I’ve found it easier to not miss tackles, but it’s a lot more contact and you’re in the washing machine so it gets a bit hectic.

“The tries were just me pushing up in support. I don’t make line breaks.”

Plath was suspended for two games for a hip drop tackle. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)

Plath was destined for an NRL career.

His father played 149 games for the Broncos from 1990-99 – the glory years which saw four of Brisbane’s six titles secured under Wayne Bennett.

John was an unsung hero of Bennett’s at the Broncos and now his son has become another favourite of the super coach at Redcliffe.

“Dad had a great career and he’s been a massive influence,” Max said.

“I grew up with a footy in my hand and it was always something I was going to do.

“He’s been influential with Wayne. He has a good relationship with him but I don’t think Wayne had seen me play before I got here. Peter O’Sullivan (Dolphins recruitment chief) wanted to get me.

“I’ve always wanted my point of difference to be the fittest I can be and the best at all the effort areas.

“I’m not the fastest, biggest or most athletic player going around. I just want to be good at what I can control.”

While Plath will shore up the Dolphins’ middle, Finefeuiaki will add some punch to the edge when he arrives next year.

The Ipswich product will head south from North Queensland to link with the Dolphins on a three-year contract, becoming one of incoming coach Kristian Woolf’s first big signings as he prepares to take over from Bennett.

COWBOYS EASE STAR’S DEFECTION TO DOLPHINS

—Michael Carayannis and Brent Read

The Dolphins have claimed a significant scalp with boom young back-rower Kulikefu Finefeuiaki opting to leave the Cowboys to join the fellow Queensland club next season.

It comes as the Cowboys re-sign fellow back-rower Heilum Luki to a long-term.

Finefeuiaki also rejected advances from the Dragons to change clubs with Finefeuiaki a marquee signing for incoming Dolphins coach Kristian Woolf.

It is understood the 20-year-old will join the Dolphins for at least the next three seasons. He will headline a generational shift for the Dolphins who has an ageing forward pack including Jesse and Kenny Bromwich, Felise Kaufusi and Mark Nicholls.

The Cowboys were keen on keeping the back-rower who also had significant interest from St George Illawarra.

North Queensland have now lost back-rowers Luciano Leilua and Finefeuiaki in recent months. They have offset the loss of Finefeuiaki with Luki inking a five-year deal to remain at the Cowboys until the end of 2029.

Kulikefu Finefeuiaki will leave the Cowboys at the end of the season. Picture: Getty Images

“We are pleased and proud to be able to confirm the re-signing of Heilum to a long-term extension,” Cowboys General Manager of Football Micheal Luck said.

“Heilum joins Tom Dearden as players who are committed to our club for the longest duration, which as two North Queensland products we are thrilled about.

“Heilum came through our Cairns Academy and has already had to overcome numerous hurdles in his young career and has come back bigger and stronger on every occasion. We believe he’s only just scratched the surface of his potential and are delighted we will have the opportunity to have him grow in a Cowboys jersey into the player and leader we know he will be.”

Originally published as NRL Market Watch: Dolphins re-sign Max Plath, poach Kulikefu Finefeuiaki, Cowboys extend Heilum Luki