Surfers Paradise Dolphins Team of the Decade selections revealed

The best players to pull on the colours of the Surfers Paradise Dolphins this decade have been honoured by Gold Coast Bulletin rugby writer Nic Darveniza

The 2010s have been one of the quietest decades in Surfers Paradise Dolphins’ history, which is more a reflection on the club’s past glories than an indictment on current talent.

The Dolphins won two first grade Premierships in the 2010s, back-to-back in 2016 and 2017, to break up a budding Gold Coast Eagles dynasty.

The team’s success in the division was built on the back of a successful lower grades program, which regularly produced players capable of stepping up to the bright lights of first grade.

Gold Coast District Rugby Union first grade clubs at Surfers Paradise. Kris Burton (Surfers Paradise Dolphins) Picture: Jerad Williams

Many of the club’s team of the decade selections are veterans of similar Cinderella stories, emerging from lower grades teams to lead the club.

Just two team of the decade picks have not captained the first grade team at any point this decade.

The Dolphins secret, according to life member Steve Edwards, has been their culture.

“They’re all friends with each, they mingle and play representative football together.

“Juniors come down to see them play and dream of joining the 150-game club too.”

Surfers Paradise Dolphins team of the decade

Former international rugby Test veteran Tonga Lea'Aetoa (of Tonga). Photo: Jerad Williams

1. TONGA LEA’AETOA

The former Tongan test star turned Dolphins player-coach was a top scrummager and masterful forwards coach between 2015 and 2017. Lea’aetoa’s influence on younger forwards at the club is still felt today.

2. DOUG KAY

The New Zealand-born hooker has been a constant in the front row across the 2010s. After beginning his Dolphins career in the lower grades, Kay progressed to the first team and later represented the Gold Coast Cyclones and Queensland Country.

3. WILLIE EMERY

The hulking prop could play either side of the scrum with ease and was even known to pop up in the second row on occasion. Emery represented the Cyclones and Queensland Country during a decorated Dolphins career.

Surfers Paradise lock Tyler Meredith. Photo: Jerad Williams

4. DYLAN WOOSTER

A graduate of the Dolphins Colts program, Wooster returned from a stint with Bond and overseas to become a staple of the Surfers engine room. Wooster joined the ranks of former captains in the last two years.

5. TYLER MEREDITH

The 150-game first grader has been with the club since he was a child, even ball-boying for the team during his dad’s 2008 first grade grand final win. It made winning the Premiership himself in 2016 and 2017 even sweeter.

6. SIMON KAY (C)

Simon Kay’s dedication the Dolphins was unparalleled. Despite moving home to New Zealand midway through the 2016 season, Kay flew back to the Gold Coast to help the Dolphins defeat Colleges in the final. He returned after the party died down.

GC RUGBY union match. Surfers Paradise v Gold Coast Knights match played at Benowa. Knights player No12 Levi Hui Hai Surfers Paradise player No 2 Simon Kay. Picture Mike Batterham

7. DEAN REIRI

The former fourth grader worked his way through the club to reach 150 first grade games. Equally capable at flanker and as halfback, Reiri will return for a 13th season in 2020.

8. JAMES BROWN

Brown’s all-round football nous complemented his physical approach to the game superbly. Spectators would never have to strain to spot the No. 8 on the field because a cartoon-style fight cloud followed him around the pitch.

9. JAMES CRISP

‘JC’ arrived from Auckland ready to play, at halfback and flyhalf. Crisp by name and by delivery, the diminutive halfback could take the ball forward and hold his own.

Round 12 of the Gold Coast District Rugby Union match between Coolangatta Tweed Barbarians and Surfers Paradise Dolphins at Nerang Bulls rugby club on Saturday. Surfers Paradise Dolphins player, Karl Giles. Picture: Jerad Williams

10. DAN MCGAVESTON

The left-footed flyhalf was a strong kicker from the hand and off the tee. McGaveston went on to play 150 games for the club and also captained.

11. KARL GILES

A fit, fast, try-scoring machine who joined the 150 game club at the Dolphins. Giles will add more caps, and undoubtedly more tries, through the 2020 season. Notably, he is one of two selections on this list never to have captained the team.

12. JESSE MCGILVARY

A former representative star in his native New Zealand, the wiry centre could make a break or put a teammate through with a delayed pass. As solid as they come in the midfield.

Gold Coast District Rugby Union match between Bond Pirates and Surfers Paradise at Pizzey Park. surfers player No12 Nico Pavlovski (try) Bond player No. Picture Mike Batterham

13. GIO MILITELLO

Millitello scrapes into the team of the decade despite retiring from first grade after 2010. His versatility saw him line up in both centre positions, fullback and even flanker. He was a hard man to bring down and earned his 150 caps the hard way.

14. NICO PAVLOVSKI

The New Caledonian didn’t fly under the radar long. The winger made national headlines after beating Billy Slater in a NSW Institute of Sport challenge measuring speed, acceleration, agility, power and endurance. Topping the 2017 season try-scoring tally didn’t help the secret weapon stay secret either.

15. KRIS BURTON

The 21-test Italian flyhalf was the perfect fullback fro the Dolphins. A booming kicking game, excellent communication and the ability to break down a defence. Burton player-coached the Dolphins to back-to-back titles.