Round 20 - Dolphins vs Cowboys

[Dolph]

One more game with half the team missing then the bye and then hopefully Kodi and Kaufusi will be back for the run home. Not sure what the Cowboys casualty ward looks like but they are 3 points below us on the table and are almost 300 points behind us on for and against. So for them it's win this week or start thinking about 2026.

 

[257Matt]

0/4 is telling

 

[257Matt]

I liked the way Naufahu played lots of confidence and has a bit of speed about him. Up against Derby he only get more confident.

Averillo is wasted on the wing he’s a classy player with silk skills. He has to play 5/8 and would combine perfectly with Katoa, Donga and Hammer.

Bromwich most likely for Nicholls with Kaufusi still unavailable. We will see who does and doesn’t play for Norths later today.

 

[mr_c]

lol who really cares what others think , woolf was happy move on

 

[Equaliser]

I liked the way Naufahu played lots of confidence and has a bit of speed about him. Up against Derby he only get more confident.

Averillo is wasted on the wing he’s a classy player with silk skills. He has to play 5/8 and would combine perfectly with Katoa, Donga and Hammer.

Bromwich most likely for Nicholls with Kaufusi still unavailable. We will see who does and doesn’t play for Norths later today.

Averillo is a poor winger. He needs to be in a position where he can use his ball skills.

 

[257Matt]

Averillo is a poor winger. He needs to be in a position where he can use his ball skills.

Agree with you. Averillo two best positions are 5/8 and fullback. Katoa needs a fast running threat at 5/8.

 

[257Matt]

Peter Hola been withdrawn from Norths side after being named earlier in the week

 

[257Matt]

James Walsh scored 4 tries for Capras playing at centre yesterday another option and he’s progressing on the upward direction

 

[Liverbird with Phins up]

Averillo is a poor winger. He needs to be in a position where he can use his ball skills.

I think next year for both Cobbo and Averillo will be big.

If Cobbo refinds form, Averillo could see less playing time. If Cobbo doesn't find form, on a one year deal he could find himself having a career at bottom feeders or England.

Im confident Cobbo can find form under Woolf.

Will be interesting

 

[Dolph]

I think next year for both Cobbo and Averillo will be big.

If Cobbo refinds form, Averillo could see less playing time. If Cobbo doesn't find form, on a one year deal he could find himself having a career at bottom feeders or England.

Im confident Cobbo can find form under Woolf.

Will be interesting

With Cobbo, Herbie, Bostock, Hammer and Isaako the goal kicker, might be hard for Averillo to make the 17.

 

[Blockade]

0/4 is telling

I can almost guarantee that SOS will be wearing the #6 on Thursday. He's a specialist half and Woolf will stick with him. If the possession and territory stats are similar to the last game, then it won't matter who plays in the halves.

 

[Equaliser]

I can almost guarantee that SOS will be wearing the #6 on Thursday. He's a specialist half and Woolf will stick with him. If the possession and territory stats are similar to the last game, then it won't matter who plays in the halves.

I agree with Matt on this one. I think Averillo should be 5/8.

 

[Blockade]

I agree with Matt on this one. I think Averillo should be 5/8.

I don't disagree either for the most part. I'm just predicting what Woolf will probably do. Most coaches prefer not to pick players out of their normal position. Averillo hasn't exactly excelled there during his limited chances.

 

[Blockade]

A win on Thursday will have them back in the top 8 if Melbourne defeat Manly. Another tough game, but they are at home and the Cows are struggling. Need to be at .500 heading into their final bye. Having the Hammer back will be absolute gold.

 

[Equaliser]

I don't disagree either for the most part. I'm just predicting what Woolf will probably do. Most coaches prefer not to pick players out of their normal position. Averillo hasn't exactly excelled there during his limited chances.

I think he has only played 2 games. In the first he was very good, in the second he was bad.

 

[Blockade]

I think he has only played 2 games. In the first he was very good, in the second he was bad.

He played a preseason game there as well. A small sample size and I won't be kicking the cat if he is chosen at 5/8 on Tuesday. I just doubt that Woolfy will go down that path.

 

[257Matt]

I don't disagree either for the most part. I'm just predicting what Woolf will probably do. Most coaches prefer not to pick players out of their normal position. Averillo hasn't exactly excelled there during his limited chances.

Neither has O’Sullivan and his game is getting worse the NRL is passing him by. Whereas Averillo game has evolved, he’s becoming more confident and he firms as the best option for Katoa and this is now Katoa team.

Sharks left O’Sullivan alone as he was no passing, kicking or running threat they won’t do that to Averillo as he’s a running threat. Donga was the second most creative player out there after Katoa so may as well go with the running option of Averillo and put a final end to the Peter O’Sullivan era.

When O’Sullivan and Katoa played in the halves in early 2023 it was pre pec for O’Sullivan and Katoa was just a baby.

Outside backs is where Dolphins pathways players are progressing best Naufahu, Nonu and Walsh so they have options to invest in out wide.

 

[257Matt]

He played a preseason game there as well. A small sample size and I won't be kicking the cat if he is chosen at 5/8 on Tuesday. I just doubt that Woolfy will go down that path.

He played two there and everyone was way off the final try. Averillo, Donga, Nonu, Tawha, Walsh and Allen tore up the first trial v Cowboys.

 

[Equaliser]

He played a preseason game there as well. A small sample size and I won't be kicking the cat if he is chosen at 5/8 on Tuesday. I just doubt that Woolfy will go down that path.

Is Nicholls out now as well? Behind a second string forward pack, any half will struggle. That's another reason a running 5/8 might be better suited than a ball playing 5/8 but I think you might be right regardless.

 

[Chris]

Is Nicholls out now as well? Behind a second string forward pack, any half will struggle. That's another reason a running 5/8 might be better suited than a ball playing 5/8 but I think you might be right regardless.

I also trust the coach. He's earned himself the benefit of any doubt. But if it were me, I'd definitely go with Averillo at 5/8.