Best 17 in 2026

[257Matt]

I think everyone got Donoghue wrong except for you. Based on the form he showed under Wayne, I think our opinions were correct. But obviously Woolf unlocked something. Needs to back it up next season.

That St George game in 2024 was a horror show with the sin bin & subsequent and Wayne rightly banished him after that. Credit to him he took his medicine and worked on refining the fine line he treads in games he learned a lot quicker than Kaufusi has ever done.

Max Plath done a podcast at seasons end in 2024 and when asked about the player he said would rise in 2025 he said Donoghoe and he explained his reasons why and big one he said was that Woolf backs him to the hilt. For me also the game has changed with HIA's and will change even more next year after the Tonga situation with HIA's so players who can cover multiple positions and be adaptable to change are so important if the NRL IND Doctor strikes you out of a game.

 

[Gary]

That St George game in 2024 was a horror show with the sin bin & subsequent and Wayne rightly banished him after that. Credit to him he took his medicine and worked on refining the fine line he treads in games he learned a lot quicker than Kaufusi has ever done.

Max Plath done a podcast at seasons end in 2024 and when asked about the player he said would rise in 2025 he said Donoghoe and he explained his reasons why and big one he said was that Woolf backs him to the hilt. For me also the game has changed with HIA's and will change even more next year after the Tonga situation with HIA's so players who can cover multiple positions and be adaptable to change are so important if the NRL IND Doctor strikes you out of a game.

Where do you see donoghue fitting in bench or starting, if everyone is fit for round 1

 

[257Matt]

Only Flegler was injured in round 1.

Flegler and Fuller were the only two long-term injuries coming into Round 1 last year and Keeley missed all the trials due to post season surgery. Bostock was injured in the trials which changed a few of the plans Woolf had for Round 1.

 

[mr_c]

Only Flegler was injured in round 1.

and kodi was crook

 

[257Matt]

Where do you see donoghue fitting in bench or starting, if everyone is fit for round 1

Lock. He really suits Katoa being there and everything with Dolphins is built around Katoa. Last season he evolved into an 80min player and he was awarded the Dolphins best forward and most consistent awards and was one of the RLPA's player of the year nominations. No surprise that Herbie, Izzy and Kurt shared the 6 major club awards.

Plath and Bostock won't be there Round 1 and will assume everyone else is.

I'm a huge fan of Plath and I believe he's really capable at 9, 11/12 and 13 he covers so much and I put myself through the pain of listening to the Broncos Ball Podcast of Dobbin & Walters and Plath said he's been told he has to return via Cup next year. Plath does a better job at 9 than Donoghoe whereas Donoghoe is better at 13 and 6 than Plath.

Not sure what happens with Gilbert next year whether he's second-row or moves to prop rotation. A lot has happened and evolved at the Dolphins since he last put in a standout NRL performance. Gilbert came to Dolphins and made his Origin debut by being a second-rower he was only moved to lock at Dolphins as they had to fit he, Bromwich and Kaufusi all in the starting side together. I think he's the player under most pressure to perform next year and I really hope he recaptures the form he displayed that won him Origin selection as there's so much upside to Gilbert and plays with a heart on the sleeve passion Dolphins need.

Here's an early round bolter should something happen to JMK before Plath is ready for NRL return there's a player called John Fineanganofo he played for Capras last year and before that came to Dolphins from NZ where he attended Redcliffe State High, played Meninga at Redcliffe and made Australian Schoolboys in 2023.

 

[257Matt]

sweetie you missed something out i said he be injury cover ( and was that from first game ) and you know i am right because he played outta position most the season


come back when you can tell me the games we were full strength

Flegler was the only forward unavailable when the original 1-17 team was named for Round 1. See images below of the Round 1 team for this year only Flegler, Bostock and Fuller missing from the 22 lets be fair Bostock and Fuller don't play forwards or rotation. Keeley was later added when 3 withdrawals not due to injury happened.

Donoghoe for Round 1 was in the 17 ahead of Bromwich, Kerr and Keeley.

Tupou was in the Round 1 and was flicked from the club before end of June which again proves so much can change in less than half a season.

Sweetie? I just hope you won't complain when he calls you names you don't like.

Tempting but will save the receipt

 

[mr_c]

Flegler and Fuller were the only two long-term injuries coming into Round 1 last year and Keeley missed all the trials due to post season surgery. Bostock was injured in the trials which changed a few of the plans Woolf had for Round 1.

Flegler was the only forward unavailable when the original 1-17 team was named for Round 1. See images below of the Round 1 team for this year only Flegler, Bostock and Fuller missing from the 22 lets be fair Bostock and Fuller don't play forwards or rotation. Keeley was later added when 3 withdrawals not due to injury happened.

Donoghoe for Round 1 was in the 17 ahead of Bromwich, Kerr and Keeley.

Tupou was in the Round 1 and was flicked from the club before end of June which again proves so much can change in less than half a season.

Tempting but will save the receipt

lol but that wasnt finial starting team i was there kodi wasn't playing sean did

 

[257Matt]

lol but that wasnt finial starting team i was there kodi wasn't playing

That was the original team named before 3 players pulled out for non-injury related reasons. Donoghoe was named in the original 17 before the 3 withdrawals happened.

 

[Gary]

Lock. He really suits Katoa being there and everything with Dolphins is built around Katoa. Last season he evolved into an 80min player and he was awarded the Dolphins best forward and most consistent awards and was one of the RLPA's player of the year nominations. No surprise that Herbie, Izzy and Kurt shared the 6 major club awards.

Plath and Bostock won't be there Round 1 and will assume everyone else is.

I'm a huge fan of Plath and I believe he's really capable at 9, 11/12 and 13 he covers so much and I put myself through the pain of listening to the Broncos Ball Podcast of Dobbin & Walters and Plath said he's been told he has to return via Cup next year. Plath does a better job at 9 than Donoghoe whereas Donoghoe is better at 13 and 6 than Plath.

Not sure what happens with Gilbert next year whether he's second-row or moves to prop rotation. A lot has happened and evolved at the Dolphins since he last put in a standout NRL performance. Gilbert came to Dolphins and made his Origin debut by being a second-rower he was only moved to lock at Dolphins as they had to fit he, Bromwich and Kaufusi all in the starting side together. I think he's the player under most pressure to perform next year and I really hope he recaptures the form he displayed that won him Origin selection as there's so much upside to Gilbert and plays with a heart on the sleeve passion Dolphins need.

Here's an early round bolter should something happen to JMK before Plath is ready for NRL return there's a player called John Fineanganofo he played for Capras last year and before that came to Dolphins from NZ where he attended Redcliffe State High, played Meninga at Redcliffe and made Australian Schoolboys in 2023.

I can’t see Plath and donoghue in the same 17, see one or the other playing a bench role if all fully fit

 

[257Matt]

I can’t see Plath and donoghue in the same 17, see one or the other playing a bench role if all fully fit

I don't see them together in the 13 but certainly the 17.

 

[Gary]

I don't see them together in the 13 but certainly the 17.

2 utility players in a 17 is too much in my opinion Plath won’t get in back row we are stacked and have better players available in that position donga covers 13,9,6, Plath covers 9,13,

 

[Gary]

2 utility players in a 17 is too much in my opinion Plath won’t get in back row we are stacked and have better players available in that position donga covers 13,9,6, Plath covers 9,13,

On another note , went to try and watch training but they are at norths using the main field rather than Redcliffe so haven’t seen who is doing what in pre season.

 

[Red]

2 utility players in a 17 is too much in my opinion Plath won’t get in back row we are stacked and have better players available in that position donga covers 13,9,6, Plath covers 9,13,

Personally I don't see Plath as much of a utility nowadays. Seems more like a specialist lock.

 

[Gary]

Personally I don't see Plath as much of a utility nowadays. Seems more like a specialist lock.

That’s kind of the point I was trying to make we can’t carry donoghue and Plath in the same 17 when everyone is fit . Plath is limited to what position he covers.

 

[Red]

That’s kind of the point I was trying to make we can’t carry donoghue and Plath in the same 17 when everyone is fit . Plath is limited to what position he covers.

I thought Gilbert to prop, Plath to lock, Donoghue to #14 and Knowls...... no idea really.

 

[Gary]

I thought Gilbert to prop, Plath to lock, Donoghue to #14 and Knowls...... no idea really.

Can’t see Gilbert at prop not with Molo,flegler,kafusi, siafiti, Knowles off the bench. Gilbert will play lock/backrow with feki again just my opinion whichever way Woolf goes we will be aggressive.

 

[mr_c]

Can’t see Gilbert at prop not with Molo,flegler,kafusi, siafiti, Knowles off the bench. Gilbert will play lock/backrow with feki again just my opinion whichever way Woolf goes we will be aggressive.

thats how i see it morgan will come off the bench for thom g at 11 i reckon with 3 open spaces in 30 for this season be intresting to see how they fill it wheter it comes from inside or outside the club

 

[Red]

Can’t see Gilbert at prop not with Molo,flegler,kafusi, siafiti, Knowles off the bench. Gilbert will play lock/backrow with feki again just my opinion whichever way Woolf goes we will be aggressive.

I see your point but the form Plath showed when Gilbert was injured then the form Donoghue showed when Plath and Gilbert were injured, I think Donoghue has to be in the 17. He is a genuine utility so I think #14 is perfect. Leave it to Plath, Gilbert and Knowles to fight it out for 2 more spots in the 17.

Forwards are injured all the time. All of them will see a lot of NRL. Hopefully at the business end of the season Woolf will be able to choose based on the form they showed earlier in the season.

 

[Gary]

I see your point but the form Plath showed when Gilbert was injured then the form Donoghue showed when Plath and Gilbert were injured, I think Donoghue has to be in the 17. He is a genuine utility so I think #14 is perfect. Leave it to Plath, Gilbert and Knowles to fight it out for 2 more spots in the 17.

Forwards are injured all the time. All of them will see a lot of NRL. Hopefully at the business end of the season Woolf will be able to choose based on the form they showed earlier in the season.

Agree Donaghue is in my 17 at 14 but Plath will be lucky it will be round 10 before he gets a look in due to his injury and if we are going ok in the forwards it could be longer.