NRL 2025: Kristian Woolf injects new competitive edge during Dolphins pre-season since replacing Wayne Bennett

Kristian Woolf has wasted no time in putting his stamp on the Dolphins since taking over from Wayne Bennett, introducing new measures as he looks to deliver the club a maiden finals appearance.

Kristian Woolf has brought the Hunger Games to Redcliffe with the Dolphins fighting and scrapping as they chase a maiden NRL finals appearance.

The Dolphins headed north to the Sunshine Coast on Tuesday for a pre-season camp ahead of their third NRL Premiership campaign.

Woolf has wasted no time putting his stamp on the Dolphins since taking over from seven-time premiership coach Wayne Bennett at the end of last season.

The three-time Super League title-winning coach has introduced new measures to ramp up the competitive nature of the Dolphins and inject a killer instinct into the club.

The Dolphins developed a reputation under Bennett for being a team of toilers with a never-say-die attitude that went within a whisker of last year’s finals series in their second NRL season.

Woolf and Bennett share similar traits, but the new coach has ramped up the internal competition at Redcliffe over the past few months.

Kristian Woolf has changed things up at the Dolphins since taking over from Wayne Bennett. Picture: NRL Photos

“It has been a bit different (to Bennett) but in saying that Woolfy is doing a really good job,” Dolphins winger Jamayne Isaako said.

“I’m enjoying being coached by him and the new style of coaching he brings.

“The competitive nature he has is similar to Wayne. He’s got everyone competing really hard on and off the field.

“In the gym we’ve got some stats up that has really got everyone competing hard. Woolfy introduced that this pre-season and I’m really enjoying that.”

Dolphins winger Jamayne Isaako is enjoying pre-season under Woolf. Picture: Janelle St Pierre/Getty Images

Succeeding Bennett has proven to be one of the most demanding jobs in the NRL.

The formlines of coaches to follow Bennett have been poor in recent years with the likes of Anthony Seibold (Broncos) and Jason Demetriou (Rabbitohs) struggling to sustain success.

But the hard-nosed Woolf is intent on making sure the Dolphins don’t back down from a scrap and will give them every opportunity to win in 2025.

Kristian Woolf has injected a new competitive edge at the Dolphins. Picture: NRL Photos

“He’s got everyone competing really hard,” Isaako said.

“He’s one of those blokes that’s always wanting you to be your best.

“I see a lot of similarities in the way he coaches with Wayne. I’m interested to see how the season goes.

“Heading into trials, we’ve been doing things a bit different that Woolfy has introduced which is interesting.”

While the Broncos headed west of Brisbane on Monday for a police style leadership camp, the Dolphins are staying at Twin Waters Resort on the Sunshine Coast.

The venues may be different but that doesn’t mean the Dolphins won’t be training hard, with a number of on-field sessions including in team building time.

“It’s a great opportunity for the boys to not only work a bit harder but also mix and mingle with each other and build some camaraderie,” Isaako said.

“There’s some new faces in the team and going away is a good opportunity for the boys to mix and build combinations.

“It’s a long season ahead so spending the week away and building some team connection will benefit us.

“I’ve been to the Sunny Coast for a few camps with the Broncos. I’ve heard it’s going to be fairly tough but the whole pre-season has and that’s what we’re building our season on, being mentally tough and having that resilience to stay in the competition against the top teams.

“I’m really hoping to play finals this year. We just missed out last year and it’d be nice to play some finals footy and give the Dolphins their first taste.”

Originally published as NRL 2025: Kristian Woolf injects new competitive edge during Dolphins pre-season since replacing Wayne Bennett