Phins up and smiles all round for Dolphins

The Dolphins discussing their upcoming season with NRL fan Geoff.

There was a stir around the Royal on Wednesday thanks to a visit from the Dolphins NRL team.

Two of the team’s most exciting young players, Isaiya Katoa and Trai Fuller – and the wildly popular mascot Phinny – graciously gave their time to meet patients in the Surgical Day Care Unit (SDCU), handing out stickers, footies and posters.

One patient, Geoff, had a long chat with the players about the upcoming season, showing great knowledge of the Dolphins’ playing roster and upcoming fixtures – before cheekily admitting to being a die-hard Parramatta fan.

They also met a young woman from Rockhampton set to undergo brain surgery for her epilepsy, who got plenty of photos with the boys in order to make her brother jealous.

When Isaiya and Trai were eventually dragged away from star-struck nursing staff, they headed to the ground floor for a meet and greet with more patients and hospital workers. With a line stretching around the corner, the players generously took their time speaking to fans, posing for photos and signing autographs.

The visit, arranged by the RBWH Foundation, will hopefully be the first of many from the popular Queensland rugby league side.