2026 pre-season

[257Matt]

It might be his best position.

Averillo's best position is actually 5/8 and his second best spot is fullback.

Averillo has all the skills and terrific hands he defends better in the halves than he does in the centres. He just lacks authority and command and that holds him back from being one of the elite players.

 

[mr_c]

Averillo's best position is actually 5/8 and his second best spot is fullback.

Averillo has all the skills and terrific hands he defends better in the halves than he does in the centres. He just lacks authority and command and that holds him back from being one of the elite players.

wouldnt need to with herbe there and dont think selwyn will be doing the same

 

[midlands hobo]

I still think Fuller is the best option at FB, in attack at least. his defence has at times been a tad off positionally but his heart is unequalled.
Fuller ducking under a tackle with options to hammer or herbie for an offload makes you a realistic 100m threat attack.

Hammer at FB just doesn't seem to make that many 1st up tackle breaks unless there is space to run around people.

 

[Liverbird with Phins up]

I still think Fuller is the best option at FB, in attack at least. his defence has at times been a tad off positionally but his heart is unequalled.
Fuller ducking under a tackle with options to hammer or herbie for an offload makes you a realistic 100m threat attack.

Hammer at FB just doesn't seem to make that many 1st up tackle breaks unless there is space to run around people.

Yeah Hammer needs broken play.

I do think Bostock complements him with hard running kick returns. Which is a saving grace.

 

[Liverbird with Phins up]

Im dying for footy this year. What are the preseason game dates?

 

[midlands hobo]

Im dying for footy this year. What are the preseason game dates?

pretty sure the first round is first full weekend of feb

 

[257Matt]

pretty sure the first round is first full weekend of feb

Dolphins play 3 trials

Saturday 7 February vs Central Queensland Capras at Gladstone
Thursday 12 February vs Gold Coast at Redcliffe
Friday 20 February vs Warriors at Leichhardt

Pre-Season Challenge has a double header on Saturday 7 February for the 4 Vegas sides with all the other games commencing from Thursday 12 February for 2 weeks.

For those with Fox/Kayo the Super League starts Friday 13 February (NSW/QLD) with York vs Hull KR.

Redcliffe, Norths & Wide Bay begin Cyril Connell Cup on Saturday 7 February with Central Queensland starting a week later (bye).

Redcliffe, Norths & Central Queensland begin Mal Meninga Cup on Saturday 14 February first round is Redcliffe v Norths 5pm (QLD) at Kayo lots of players in that game on Dolphins pathways deals in the Norths side will be Luke, Batten, Laverty & Akauola just to name a few. Redcliffe will have Holmes the schoolboy Dolphins signed from South Africa and eligible for Meninga is Pouniu who's in the Top 30 so be interesting if Dolphins allow him to play Meninga if they believe it helps his development & progression. Dickson is with Capras this year for QCup & he's still Meninga age eligible.

 

[yonathonjoung]

I still think Fuller is the best option at FB, in attack at least. his defence has at times been a tad off positionally but his heart is unequalled.
Fuller ducking under a tackle with options to hammer or herbie for an offload makes you a realistic 100m threat attack.

Hammer at FB just doesn't seem to make that many 1st up tackle breaks unless there is space to run around people.

Yeah Hammer needs broken play.

I do think Bostock complements him with hard running kick returns. Which is a saving grace.

I've tried to highlight these things to others who refused to acknowledge fuller as an option when both are healthy. If our forwards are belting the ball down field and oppositions are getting shaky then the hammer is your man, but if the line is holding firm you want fuller burrowing through.

And in regards to the comparison of defensive reads, fuller makes up for mistakes with effort and guts in hard tackles that hammer would never try.

 

[mr_c]

I've tried to highlight these things to others who refused to acknowledge fuller as an option when both are healthy. If our forwards are belting the ball down field and oppositions are getting shaky then the hammer is your man, but if the line is holding firm you want fuller burrowing through.

And in regards to the comparison of defensive reads, fuller makes up for mistakes with effort and guts in hard tackles that hammer would never try.

you cant predict that , with cobbo here i doubt it won't happen for while , it be intresting times come orgin for our side

 

[257Matt]

I've tried to highlight these things to others who refused to acknowledge fuller as an option when both are healthy. If our forwards are belting the ball down field and oppositions are getting shaky then the hammer is your man, but if the line is holding firm you want fuller burrowing through.

And in regards to the comparison of defensive reads, fuller makes up for mistakes with effort and guts in hard tackles that hammer would never try.

Dolphins are a much better team with 1 Fuller, 3 Herbie, 4 Hammer and the times Fuller has been used it's either been due to injury to Hammer or when the wheels have fallen off late in a season so Fuller has been used to avert the slide.

Dolphins have a lot of edge issues in defence Nikorima and Averillo (when at centre) both get caught out easily.

Fuller, Herbie, Naufahu and Bostock are the only back 5 players willing to make the tough grinding metres, where Hammer relies on space around him he's the most dangerous player in the game when there's an inch of space, Cobbo hasn't been known to get interested in a game unless his team is on the front foot, Averillo is more a silky highlights reel player his best spot is 5/8 anyways always has been and Isaako is hanging on due to his goal kicking he's got too many errors in defensive reads & taking hit ups out of trouble.

 

[257Matt]

At least 1 of or both Fuller & Naufahu have to play Round 1.

 

[mr_c]

At least 1 of or both Fuller & Naufahu have to play Round 1.

and whats going happen when you get put under pressure with no jake there just going put herbie under pressure and let the floodgates open theres no way with likes jake n selwyn they be starting over them

 

[Gary]

At least 1 of or both Fuller & Naufahu have to play Round 1.

Where do you play them and who do you drop

 

[yonathonjoung]

and whats going happen when you get put under pressure with no jake there just going put herbie under pressure and let the floodgates open theres no way with likes jake n selwyn they be starting over them

Where do you play them and who do you drop

I'm guessing his answer would be averillo to 5/8 and Kodi to hooker like some others are suggesting.

 

[Liverbird with Phins up]

I've tried to highlight these things to others who refused to acknowledge fuller as an option when both are healthy. If our forwards are belting the ball down field and oppositions are getting shaky then the hammer is your man, but if the line is holding firm you want fuller burrowing through.

And in regards to the comparison of defensive reads, fuller makes up for mistakes with effort and guts in hard tackles that hammer would never try.

Just my opinon, however your point is valid and well thought out.

I think Fuller isn't defensively sound either. Thats just an opinon. So i wouldn't be swapping them based on defensive issues.

Attacking wise they are good foils.

 

[Josh]

Even more so outside katoa. With Averillo being a run first pass second half

Exactly what I was thinking. Katoa with his ball playing and organisational skills might compliment a running centre/fullback/winger come 5/8 really well.

 

[257Matt]

Exactly what I was thinking. Katoa with his ball playing and organisational skills might compliment a running centre/fullback/winger come 5/8 really well.

Actually it’s been the other way for Averillo he was originally a 5/8, Barrett foolishly tried to make him a halfback and than pushed out wider.

 

[257Matt]

Where do you play them and who do you drop

Both are actually incumbents Fuller was amazing in 3 of the last 4 games and Naufahu scored 4 tries in the last 2 games.

 

[257Matt]

Dolphins are more dangerous and better served with 1 Fuller 3 Herbie 4 Hammer the rest can work around them 3 and Katoa of course at 7.

I’m a massive Averillo at 6 supporter that was his spot coming through the grades Avo 6 Donga 13 works so well for Katoa. Averillo two best ever games for Dolphins been at 5/8 the second one came when Woolf had to finally give up on O’Sullivan.

 

[mr_c]

Dolphins are more dangerous and better served with 1 Fuller 3 Herbie 4 Hammer the rest can work around them 3 and Katoa of course at 7.

I’m a massive Averillo at 6 supporter that was his spot coming through the grades Avo 6 Donga 13 works so well for Katoa. Averillo two best ever games for Dolphins been at 5/8 the second one came when Woolf had to finally give up on O’Sullivan.

theres no way they not signed cobbo not to be in the centres , we need death injury cover that be what likes trai n co will be i dpn't even see bostock getting a starting spot for while even whem fit

you dont want jake at centre because his d yet you want him at 6 where you need strong d ( jake was moved from six at dogs because gus overuled barrett )