Jake Averillo has no doubt the Dolphins should be playing finals footy in 2025, and says the pieces are starting to fall into place after a rough start to the season.
Speaking after notching his 100th NRL appearance, Averillo said consistency would be key as the Dolphins look to capitalise on improved form and the return of key players.
Wayne Bennett’s side dropped their first four games of the year but have since won three of their last four, with halfback Isaiya Katoa growing into his role and a steadier squad around him.
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“With the team we have, if we can stay healthy, we should be playing finals footy,” Averillo told News Corp. “It’s about staying consistent. We had lapses against the Raiders – it’s about not having those.”
‘A fresh start, a new experience’
The former Bulldogs junior has found stability in Redcliffe after a chaotic few years at Belmore, where he played under five head coaches in just four seasons. His move north came off the back of yet another bottom-four finish in 2023, and the chance to start fresh under Bennett proved too hard to resist.
“Wayne is the reason I came up,” Averillo said. “I wanted to play under him, he's one of the best coaches.”
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Averillo is now firmly entrenched in the centres and says the quieter lifestyle in Redcliffe suits him just fine.
“It’s been unreal, I really love it up here. It’s a coastal town, on the water. To be honest, there isn’t too much to do around here. I actually really like that it’s out of the way, it’s pretty chill, and I’m a chill person.”
While a return to Sydney looms as a possibility with his contract set to expire in November, the 23-year-old isn’t looking that far ahead. For now, it’s about securing a top-eight finish and locking down a spot he’s grown into.
“At this point in time, I’m playing centre and I’m enjoying it. I just want to make the centre position my own.”