Huge chance for Donoghue. Have a blinder at 5/8 and Kodi isn't good enough that he automatically goes straight back into 5/8. Every chance Woolf will have him on the bench as a utility for round 2 and afterward if Donoghue keeps producing at 5/8. TBH, I have mixed feelings about Kodi and the others sitting it out. Nature is going to run its course so as long as their families are safe, what's the issue? Is Kodi going to stand in his yard and prevent a flood? Anyway, still confident Dolphins can win with Souths missing their two best.
I think McGuire has passed the first big test and Woolf has failed the first big test. Sorry it has to be called out.
McGuire has got the Broncos in a mentality of who spews first at training, who does the most extras after training and it's all in none out. They're going to be scary this year.
Dolphins older forwards got exposed by the Titans so missing Nicholls who's only effective inside the 10m zone these days and Bromwich who completely hit the wall in the trial and showed last year the game has passed him by. On the field these players won't be overly missed in fact Bromwich wasn't picked. The issue is the morale of the club off the field and the mental effect it'll have on the club. I've now got Dolphins as spoon favourites with the Warriors as I'm sure if Bennett was coach they're all on the plane to Sydney. I can see this being the year from hell for Woolf as he transitions the side and players have one eye on retirement just here for the paycheck.
I actually rate O'Sullivan better than Nikorima because he has a kicking game and frees up Katoa more. It's the one thing that didn't work with Averillo and Katoa is that Katoa didn't feel free enough. Donoghue is likely to come off the bench and O'Sullivan start.
I do hope O'Sullivan, Kerr and Donoghue have the games of their lives.
What Woolf needs to do and I said it a month ago is that he needs to begin fazing veterans Bromwich, Nicholls, Nikorima and Stone out of the side as the Dolphins need stronger legs in the middle, off the bench and better options at 5/8.
The fact Woolf tried so hard to sign Hunt, showed a brief interest in Oloapu and has been training Averillo at 5/8 shows he's not sold on Nikorima. He's signed Knowles and Sua for next year and tried to get Hazleton so these players will be fazed out.
I said once Donoghue gets into the 17 he won't be omitted unless injured or suspended only thing he needs is to settle down a touch I do know Woolf will back Donga and once Keeley gets into the 17 the same thing. Kuli covers edge and middle, Plath covers variety of roles, Keeley is made of tough stuff and Donga is the second most versatile player in the game.