The Dolphins have inked a contract extension with Connelly Lemuelu after his outstanding start to the 2023 NRL season.
Lemuelu was never mentioned as one of the Dolphins’ big-name signings as they recruited the roster for their inaugural foray into the NRL, but he has made a huge impact in the opening month of the competition.
The 24-year-old debuted for the Dolphins in their historic round-one upset of the Roosters, scoring the try that put the new NRL team in front on their way to a mammoth victory.
Lemuelu takes advantage of late call-up
He has since earned a starting spot on the edge for the Dolphins, showing the best form of a career that had previously netted him just 24 games in three seasons with the Cowboys.
A move to the Dolphins and a permanent shift to the forward pack has been the masterstroke for the former centre.
Life has been good for Lemuelu in 2023, as he also became a father for the first time earlier this year.
Dolphins’ chief executive Terry Reader said Lemuelu had taken just five games with the club to stamp himself as a strike weapon in the NRL.
“We were very pleased with the pre-season Connelly had and that hard work has paid dividends for him early in the season,” said Reader.
“Our recruitment chief Peter O’Sullivan had marked Connelly as a player that could have a big impact on the NRL and he has been proven right already.
He is the kind of player this club was looking for both on and off the field.
“We are very pleased that Connelly has agreed to be a Dolphin for at least the next three years and look forward to watching him continue to improve as a player.”
Lemuelu's next assignment will be lining up against his former side, the Cowboys, on Friday night in Townsville.
