The Dolphins excelled offensively but, for the third year, missed the finals despite strong performances.
It will be an off-season spent lamenting what might have been for the Dolphins.
As the NRL's newest outfit put an under-strength Canberra Raiders to the sword in a 62-24 triumph at Kayo Stadium, they took themselves to clear frontrunners as the competition's most lethal attacking side.
And yet, for a third straight season, they will not play finals.