Wayne Bennett has made two big selection calls with centre Tesi Niu and No.6 Kodi Nikorima getting the nod for Sunday's NRL round-one clash with North Queensland.
Captain Jesse Bromwich, who confirmed he would retire at the end of the 2024 season, explained why Niu had edged out speedster Jake Averillo who was recruited from Canterbury on a three-year deal.
Niu lost eight kilograms in the off-season and performed strongly in both trials.
Veteran Nikorima, who played multiple positions in 2023, has been preferred to 20-year-old five-eighth Isaiya Katoa, who featured 22 times last year.
"The coach sat Tesi down at the start of pre-season and wanted him to hit a few goals and he has certainly done that," Bromwich said after Tuesday's training.
"He has impressed the coaches and players with his determination. I think he will be up for a really big year.
"Kodi was really good at the back-end of last year and fixed a lot of positions for us. He is at a really good age now for a playmaker to make good decisions for us. Kodi has stepped up as a leader and is very vocal."
Bromwich tipped Katoa to bounce back from the disappointment.
"It is never easy to take. He did very well for us last year," Bromwich said.
"He is 20 and has a long career ahead. Everyone has these ups and downs and I am sure he will keep working hard."
Bromwich, 34, said his body had been through enough and would bring down the curtain on his stellar career at the end of 2024 after winning three premierships for Melbourne and playing 34 Tests for New Zealand.
He said the Dolphins would be in good hands in 2025 if prop Thomas Flegler or lock Tom Gilbert were made skipper.
"If they want to have a long-term captain there are two that come to mind. I am a bit biased as a forward but Tom Flegler and Tom Gilbert, either one of them would do a good job," Bromwich said.
"It is just the way they train. I can see them leading this group the way they should be led. They are both very vocal and say the right things. If I look at them they both live a certain way and are professional.
"We have a few other good candidates, a few older heads. It just depends what the club wants to do."
In other Dolphins selection news, utility Max Plath has won a spot in the 17 to play against the Cowboys where he will likely come off bench.
"He's probably the one out of the lot that had the huge pre-season and led everything in the fitness department," Bromwich said.
"He is one of those players setting the standards that Wayne enjoys. We are going to miss (injured) Tom Gilbert put Plathy brings a bit of what Tommy can do."
