Daniel Saifiti will reportedly announce his immediate retirement from the NRL on Monday.
The former NSW State of Origin prop will be medically retired after failing to overcome shoulder injuries that ruined his 2025 season.
Newcastle Herald journalist Barry Toohey first reported the Dolphins will announce the sad news on Monday.
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The club must get permission from the NRL to medically retire Saifiti. It means the club will be granted salary cap concessions while being able to pay out Saifiti’s full wages.
According to reports, the second season of the 30-year-old’s three-year contract with the Dolphins is worth up to $800,000.
Saifiti has not played since Round 8 of the 2025 season after suffering another shoulder issue.
The Dolphins initially attempted to manage the issue with a rehabilitation program — but he eventually underwent shoulder surgery in June.
Saifiti debuted for the Newcastle Knights in 2016 alongside twin brother Jacob Saifiti, and was named Rookie of the Year at Newcastle that same season, foxsports.com.au reports.
He went onto complete 191 NRL games between the Knights and Dolphins, and played in seven State of Origin campaigns.
His injury last year was the last thing the Dolphins needed with the club also missing Tom Gilbert, Max Plath and Tom Flegler.
