Ahead of their preliminary final with either the Sydney Roosters or Cronulla, the Dolphins have 14 players who will become free agents on November 1, including big name backline stars Herbie Farnworth, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Selwyn Cobbo and Jack Bostock.
There is a saying in the NRL "you can't keep them all" and what is often overlooked in the Dolphins case is the club will farewell backline trio Jake Averillo (Wests Tigers), Jamayne Isaako (Melbourne) and Kodi Nikorima (St George Illawarra) at season's end.
Elite prop Daniel Saifiti has medically retired and will be off the salary cap books for next year, while second-rower Oryn Keeley left mid-season for the Storm.
Farnworth, who was man of the match in the 26-16 qualifying-final win, is now regarded as the best centre in the world and has constantly been linked to a Sydney Roosters switch.
"The key thing on Herbie is that all this noise was around last year, and he re-signed as well," Reader said.
"He's given us no indication, he or his management, that he'll be going anywhere. He's focused on winning a premiership …. and in his words 'winning a World Cup with England' as well.
"There is nothing to make us think what we're hearing (about the Roosters) has got any legs."
Farnworth told AAP he will put extension talks off until the end of the season and has said on several occasions remaining a Dolphin was a priority. He has rubbished the noise around him joining the Sydney Roosters.
Dolphins players have spoken about sticking together in a strong cultural environment and taking less to constantly challenge for a premiership. On top of the five players that will be off the books in 2027, the Dolphins will elevate their development list players into the top 30 which will balance their salary cap spend.
"Herbie, along with the number of players where they've got coming off contract, are wonderful players," Reader said.
"But if you look at the players that are leaving our club this year as well and the players that are coming through to get the balance right … we're in a position to be able to keep the majority of those players."
Reader said the figures getting thrown about with regards to Dolphins players were "exaggerated" but with the ratchet clauses from the new salary cap in 2028 onwards players would be looking at approximately an extra 20 per cent per season.
With 12 of the current playing 19 all in the top 30 during the foundation season, Reader made the point those who stay would still be well rewarded and have the opportunity to challenge for titles.
"A lot of them debuted together and the nucleus of that side have an opportunity to (win competitions)," Reader said.
"If everyone wants the most they could possibly get at a different club, then the club won't be able to match that.
"Where the salary cap's going and ratchets they're all going to be very well paid men.
"It's the value they put on playing together and staying together. Penrith have won four premierships and been a dominant club for the last six to seven years with a key nucleus.
"And that's still our intention … that we'll be able to hold onto hopefully all of them."
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