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Round 5: Dolphins vs Gold Coast Titans

Liverbird with Phins up

Dolphins Pod NRL team
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Here is my take on our start.

Woolf comes across as a hard task master fitness wise. I reckon with the transition, he e might have gone too hard preseason training, and we are coming into the start slightly fatigued. I reckon we will benefit mid way to backend. Watch as accumulate more in the second half of the season then the first. I think the older guys have probably suffered the most.

Its been poor. However, I support with hope.
 

Equaliser

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Here is my take on our start.

Woolf comes across as a hard task master fitness wise. I reckon with the transition, he e might have gone too hard preseason training, and we are coming into the start slightly fatigued. I reckon we will benefit mid way to backend. Watch as accumulate more in the second half of the season then the first. I think the older guys have probably suffered the most.

Its been poor. However, I support with hope.
Good take
 

mr_c

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I did woolf just needed longer than preseason to show it
 

Liverbird with Phins up

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Good take
Well watching us yesterday. We were more on it.

Also, I don’t think having one prop in DS has helped. Even though I don’t rate Milo, I think he could help this team. Having two big bodies up front. Kaufusi just hasn’t worked up front, whilst being the coaches only option.

I reckon once he is up to speed, we grow into the season.

Also, we lost our games rather then being beaten. Those games were littered with unforced errors and stupid penalties. All signs of fatigued players. Once we are settled into the season, I expect this to stop.
 

257Matt

QLD Cup
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Nov 18, 2024
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720
Here is my take on our start.

Woolf comes across as a hard task master fitness wise. I reckon with the transition, he e might have gone too hard preseason training, and we are coming into the start slightly fatigued. I reckon we will benefit mid way to backend. Watch as accumulate more in the second half of the season then the first. I think the older guys have probably suffered the most.

Its been poor. However, I support with hope.
I really hope you're right.
 

257Matt

QLD Cup
Joined
Nov 18, 2024
Messages
720
Well watching us yesterday. We were more on it.

Also, I don’t think having one prop in DS has helped. Even though I don’t rate Milo, I think he could help this team. Having two big bodies up front. Kaufusi just hasn’t worked up front, whilst being the coaches only option.

I reckon once he is up to speed, we grow into the season.

Also, we lost our games rather then being beaten. Those games were littered with unforced errors and stupid penalties. All signs of fatigued players. Once we are settled into the season, I expect this to stop.
Front row stocks need to be boosted for sure especially providing leg drive up the middle. Saifiti and Katoa been the Dolphins two best players and IMO were the two best last night by some distance.

I will watch again probably tomorrow as yesterday I done a day trip yesterday to Maitland, Hawks Nest & Tea Gardens absolute stunning day and I'm cooked from the sun. I stopped at Tea Gardens Hotel where the game was on every TV there (the great thing about the Hunter/Newcastle region is only 1 sport exists) the game was on mute so thankfully heard no commentary.

As for the older forwards I think age has caught up too and also V'Landys has made the game so much faster with 6 agains and less scrums. V'Landys is using the ball in play count as a way to sell TV rights so it's all about "entertainment".

Having Kuli injured and Lemuelu injured & struggling hasn't helped as they're two attacking forwards who create a point of difference.

I don't think Gilbert at lock is working as much for this current side and I noticed Donoghue was used much differently last night that helped free up Katoa much more. Katoa is the absolute jewel in the Dolphins crown he's the future of the club, a genuine halfback and has carried so much load for one so young. Players like Dongohue and Plath can play that 13 role to free up Katoa much more.

The thing last night is Hammer and Katoa looked a lot more free.

There are still concerns in a lot of areas and I'm sure hearts went into mouths when Titans finally held the ball and put two tries on in a matter of minutes.

What winning does is that it settles a club, settles the players and it quietens down the outside noise. As they say winning covers over everything else. Dolphins have a massive two games coming up both at Suncorp and both against last years grand finalists. Penrith without Luia and Fisher-Harris aren't the same side as last year but can never write off a side with Cleary, Yeo and most likely Edwards and they'll be relieved to be away from Parramatta.

Penrith and Melbourne are two of the three sides Dolphins are yet to beat so there's still so much to work on.
 

mr_c

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Front row stocks need to be boosted for sure especially providing leg drive up the middle. Saifiti and Katoa been the Dolphins two best players and IMO were the two best last night by some distance.

I will watch again probably tomorrow as yesterday I done a day trip yesterday to Maitland, Hawks Nest & Tea Gardens absolute stunning day and I'm cooked from the sun. I stopped at Tea Gardens Hotel where the game was on every TV there (the great thing about the Hunter/Newcastle region is only 1 sport exists) the game was on mute so thankfully heard no commentary.

As for the older forwards I think age has caught up too and also V'Landys has made the game so much faster with 6 agains and less scrums. V'Landys is using the ball in play count as a way to sell TV rights so it's all about "entertainment".

Having Kuli injured and Lemuelu injured & struggling hasn't helped as they're two attacking forwards who create a point of difference.

I don't think Gilbert at lock is working as much for this current side and I noticed Donoghue was used much differently last night that helped free up Katoa much more. Katoa is the absolute jewel in the Dolphins crown he's the future of the club, a genuine halfback and has carried so much load for one so young. Players like Dongohue and Plath can play that 13 role to free up Katoa much more.

The thing last night is Hammer and Katoa looked a lot more free.

There are still concerns in a lot of areas and I'm sure hearts went into mouths when Titans finally held the ball and put two tries on in a matter of minutes.

What winning does is that it settles a club, settles the players and it quietens down the outside noise. As they say winning covers over everything else. Dolphins have a massive two games coming up both at Suncorp and both against last years grand finalists. Penrith without Luia and Fisher-Harris aren't the same side as last year but can never write off a side with Cleary, Yeo and most likely Edwards and they'll be relieved to be away from Parramatta.

Penrith and Melbourne are two of the three sides Dolphins are yet to beat so there's still so much to work on.
lol as a fan we dont give a shit about what anyone that aint inside the club thinks one minute they say theres a bennett curse next minute they praise them never trust any jounro they so full of shit

our old guys do just as much as the young guys at any other club go look at the stats most there forwards at other clubs its generaly one or two that do the bulk
 

257Matt

QLD Cup
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lol as a fan we dont give a shit about what anyone that aint inside the club thinks one minute they say theres a bennett curse next minute they praise them never trust any jounro they so full of shit

our old guys do just as much as the young guys at any other club go look at the stats most there forwards at other clubs its generaly one or two that do the bulk
I thought I was blocked :)
 

Dolph

QLD Cup
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Apr 28, 2023
Messages
710
Front row stocks need to be boosted for sure especially providing leg drive up the middle. Saifiti and Katoa been the Dolphins two best players and IMO were the two best last night by some distance.

I will watch again probably tomorrow as yesterday I done a day trip yesterday to Maitland, Hawks Nest & Tea Gardens absolute stunning day and I'm cooked from the sun. I stopped at Tea Gardens Hotel where the game was on every TV there (the great thing about the Hunter/Newcastle region is only 1 sport exists) the game was on mute so thankfully heard no commentary.

As for the older forwards I think age has caught up too and also V'Landys has made the game so much faster with 6 agains and less scrums. V'Landys is using the ball in play count as a way to sell TV rights so it's all about "entertainment".

Having Kuli injured and Lemuelu injured & struggling hasn't helped as they're two attacking forwards who create a point of difference.

I don't think Gilbert at lock is working as much for this current side and I noticed Donoghue was used much differently last night that helped free up Katoa much more. Katoa is the absolute jewel in the Dolphins crown he's the future of the club, a genuine halfback and has carried so much load for one so young. Players like Dongohue and Plath can play that 13 role to free up Katoa much more.

The thing last night is Hammer and Katoa looked a lot more free.

There are still concerns in a lot of areas and I'm sure hearts went into mouths when Titans finally held the ball and put two tries on in a matter of minutes.

What winning does is that it settles a club, settles the players and it quietens down the outside noise. As they say winning covers over everything else. Dolphins have a massive two games coming up both at Suncorp and both against last years grand finalists. Penrith without Luia and Fisher-Harris aren't the same side as last year but can never write off a side with Cleary, Yeo and most likely Edwards and they'll be relieved to be away from Parramatta.

Penrith and Melbourne are two of the three sides Dolphins are yet to beat so there's still so much to work on.
Has it reached the point where Tom Gilbert needs to get his game right in QLD Cup? The team is so much better with Plath starting at lock.
 

257Matt

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Has it reached the point where Tom Gilbert needs to get his game right in QLD Cup? The team is so much better with Plath starting at lock.
I don't think Gilbert should be playing QCup and I do believe the week off may do him a lot of good. I do think Plath and Donoghue are better playing the lock roles for Dolphins and we saw last night just how much confident Katoa was to back himself with Donoghue providing a creative link which Woolf used him well.

Dolph Dolph your point about Gilbert does have a lot of merit I just don't think it's right. Maybe coming off the bench, maybe in the second row especially if Woolf isn't confident about Kuli and Lemuelu playing a full 80.

Kerr only played 20mins last night and made 12 runs. Saifiti played 60 and Dolphins need him out for big minutes like that he's been top notch so far. Nicholls played 21 minutes, Stone 40, Lemuelu 24/Kuli 56, Donoghue 52, JMK 65, Kaufusi 52.

Stone is confirmed as suspended for 1 game so he'll miss next week.
 

mr_c

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I don't think Gilbert should be playing QCup and I do believe the week off may do him a lot of good. I do think Plath and Donoghue are better playing the lock roles for Dolphins and we saw last night just how much confident Katoa was to back himself with Donoghue providing a creative link which Woolf used him well.

Dolph Dolph your point about Gilbert does have a lot of merit I just don't think it's right. Maybe coming off the bench, maybe in the second row especially if Woolf isn't confident about Kuli and Lemuelu playing a full 80.

Kerr only played 20mins last night and made 12 runs. Saifiti played 60 and Dolphins need him out for big minutes like that he's been top notch so far. Nicholls played 21 minutes, Stone 40, Lemuelu 24/Kuli 56, Donoghue 52, JMK 65, Kaufusi 52.

Stone is confirmed as suspended for 1 game so he'll miss next week.
don think you need wory bout gilbert he be in 2nd row more when we get morgan from uk thats where he plays way better than lock hes never been strong lock is more a prop or 2nd row
 

Dolph

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don think you need wory bout gilbert he be in 2nd row more when we get morgan from uk thats where he plays way better than lock hes never been strong lock is more a prop or 2nd row
Is he any good as an edge forward? I don't think so.
I don't think Gilbert should be playing QCup and I do believe the week off may do him a lot of good. I do think Plath and Donoghue are better playing the lock roles for Dolphins and we saw last night just how much confident Katoa was to back himself with Donoghue providing a creative link which Woolf used him well.

Dolph Dolph your point about Gilbert does have a lot of merit I just don't think it's right. Maybe coming off the bench, maybe in the second row especially if Woolf isn't confident about Kuli and Lemuelu playing a full 80.

Kerr only played 20mins last night and made 12 runs. Saifiti played 60 and Dolphins need him out for big minutes like that he's been top notch so far. Nicholls played 21 minutes, Stone 40, Lemuelu 24/Kuli 56, Donoghue 52, JMK 65, Kaufusi 52.

Stone is confirmed as suspended for 1 game so he'll miss next week.
He should be on the bench and come on as a tackling machine middle forward.
 

mr_c

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Is he any good as an edge forward? I don't think so.

He should be on the bench and come on as a tackling machine middle forward.
he did that with qlq n north qld n there juniors was used more as bench forward
 

Dolph

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he did that with qlq n north qld n there juniors was used more as bench forward
And shipped him off. Concluded he was a lock but behind Toamololo so couldn't keep him. Now he's in the same situation with us. Behind Plath and no good as a edge forward.
 

mr_c

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And shipped him off. Concluded he was a lock but behind Toamololo so couldn't keep him. Now he's in the same situation with us. Behind Plath and no good as a edge forward.
to be honest 5 games in after 2 years off i think we need give him more time trai n fledger coming back from long stints will need same
 

257Matt

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And shipped him off. Concluded he was a lock but behind Toamololo so couldn't keep him. Now he's in the same situation with us. Behind Plath and no good as a edge forward.
Gilbert has been picked for Queensland as an edge forward. I think he's been on track in recent weeks and see how he backs up next week.
 
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