NRL legend Corey Parker believes the Dolphins’ early-season byes gave the false perception Wayne Bennett’s men were travelling better than they really were.

The Dolphins were firmly entrenched in the top eight, and even the top four, at various stages throughout the first half of the season but now sit tenth as they fight to keep their finals hopes alive in this Saturday’s must-win Battle of Brisbane.

Parker told foxsports.com.au the Dolphins are currently placed where many predicted they’d be before the season commenced.

“This is my take on the Dolphins. Everyone’s got an opinion, and they’re saying that they were sitting in the top four and absolutely they were, but to be very honest, I think they are about where I thought they’d be,” Parker said.

“If you go back a few months ago, the top eight was a fallacy because some teams had byes and others didn’t. The Dolphins were, I think, one of the first teams to have had their 2 byes, so they’ve accrued four more points than most others.

“The Cowboys were sitting in 12th position, and they didn’t have a bye until Round 16. Now all of a sudden, the Cowboys have found a couple of wins, had a couple of byes, and they’ve just leapfrogged a bunch of teams.”

The NRL’s newest side were awarded two points for each of their Round three, 14 and 18 byes.

Conversely, the Cowboys didn’t receive a bye until Round 16 before picking up two more in Rounds 19 and 25 to now sit sixth on the ladder.

For this reason, Parker believes Wayne Bennett’s side are sitting exactly where they’re meant to be ahead of the final fortnight of the season.

“So I actually think the Dolphins are where I had them at this point of the year anyway. I mean, I don’t think anyone at the start of the season had the Dolphins in their top four,” he said.

“I don’t think anyone at the start of the season had the Dolphins fifth or sixth or seventh, but rather they had them around where they are right now.”

Parker said the misconception the byes caused the competition ladder, particularly considering some teams wait much later in the season for a break, is evidence the two-point bye should be abolished.

“It’s a bugbear of mine and it irritates me, the fact that the NRL gives two points for a bye,” he said.

“It’s just stupid. It’s absolute stupidity to have 2 points for a bye. It lulls teams and fans into a false sense of security.”

Despite winning just three of their past 12 matches, the Dolphins have improved on their maiden season efforts after finishing 13th in 2023 on the back of nine wins and 15 losses to remain an outside chance at earning a place in this year’s finals.