AdminA player from The Dolphins’ Top 30 roster has departed the organization to join a competing Queensland NRL team in search of new prospects. Michael Waqa initially came on board with The Dolphins under a train-and-trial agreement before transitioning to their development list. He was elevated to the Top 30 roster before the current season, having progressed through the team’s Under-18s Academy in the Mal Meninga Cup.
Having been a member of last year’s Queensland Under-19s squad and previously represented Queensland Country at the Under-17s level, Waqa was regarded as one of the standout young forwards within The Dolphins’ program, even serving as captain of their Mal Meninga Cup team. He showcased his skills against the North Queensland Cowboys earlier this year during the NRL Pre-Season Challenge.
Nonetheless, the forward’s tenure with the club has concluded, as he recently joined rivals, the Brisbane Broncos, thereby enhancing their already strong lineup of young forwards. Since his transfer to the Broncos, Waqa has participated in four matches for the club in the NRLQ Series, where he has proven to be an essential member of the forward pack and scored a try last week against the Gold Coast Titans. “Michael performed exceptionally well in his initial pre-season training with NRL players,” remarked Dolphins CEO Terry Reader in a statement from 2023.
“We have consistently expressed that one of our goals is to see young local talents rise through the ranks and compete in the NRL with The Dolphins. Michael has the chance to transition seamlessly from junior levels to the NRL, and we are eager about the prospects that lie ahead for him.”
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