Round 12: Dolphins vs Melbourne Storm

[Jetty]

Dolphins team:​

1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow - TBH gone off the boil after starting the season on fire.
2. Jamayne Isaako - Career best form by a long way but still inexplicably drops the ball when he really shouldn't pretty much every game.
3. Euan Aitken - Right up there for our best player so far this season.
4. Brenko Lee - In Wayne we trust but he should front the media and explain this selection!
5. Tesi Niu - As for #2
6. Kodi Nikorima - Playing out of his skin but I still like Milf at 5/8, Niko on the bench.
7. Isaiya Katoa - Getting better. Needs to work on kicking game.
8. Jesse Bromwich - Rolling back the clock.
9. Jeremy Marshall - King - Probably our best so far
10. Kenny Bromwich - The sunny weather and more relaxed atmosphere of Redcliffe hasn't done him any good.
11. Felise Kaufusi - As for #8
12. Connelly Lemuelu - Another surprise packet! Been outstanding but has a habit of going missing from time to time.
13. Tom Gilbert - As I think everyone expected. Just behind #9 and equal with #3 so far.
    
    
14. Jarrod Wallace - Been absolutely outstanding. Almost overshadowing # 8
15. Anthony Milford - Put on a few kgs, lost a bit of speed and elusiveness but been managing the game much better than he used to.
16. Ray Stone - Solid
17. Herman Ese’ese - Another prop having a breakout year.
    
    
18. Mark Nicholls - Big call dropping him but with the way #14 and #17 are playing...... was there a choice?
19. Kurt Donoghoe - Getting better.
20. Edrick Lee - Not much. As expected. Probably won't see NRL again.
21. Valynce Te Whare - Powerhouse debut. Needs to lose a kg or 2 so he doesn't run out of puff.
22. JJ Collins - Probably not up to NRL.

 

[Josh]

A bit of a silly thought but thought I'd put it out there anyway.

Wayne's basically given up on this game but doesn't want Valynce's confidence to take a hit. With an eye to bigger games at the backend of the season.

 

[Red]

A bit of a silly thought but thought I'd put it out there anyway.

Wayne's basically given up on this game but doesn't want Valynce's confidence to take a hit. With an eye to bigger games at the backend of the season.

Interesting theory. I think it's more likely Wayne was worried about the way Melbourne could exploit his defence in the last 1/4 of the game. In the game against Cronulla, at one point in the last 15min, it looked like he could hardly even hang an arm out to make a tackle. I know Brenko has hardly been killing it and he is fat but he's still a bit fitter than Te Whare.

I would have went with Te Whare every day of the week and twice on game day but I think I can understand Wayne's thinking.

 

[Chris]

Dolphins team:​

1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow - TBH gone off the boil after starting the season on fire.
2. Jamayne Isaako - Career best form by a long way but still inexplicably drops the ball when he really shouldn't pretty much every game.
3. Euan Aitken - Right up there for our best player so far this season.
4. Brenko Lee - In Wayne we trust but he should front the media and explain this selection!
5. Tesi Niu - As for #2
6. Kodi Nikorima - Playing out of his skin but I still like Milf at 5/8, Niko on the bench.
7. Isaiya Katoa - Getting better. Needs to work on kicking game.
8. Jesse Bromwich - Rolling back the clock.
9. Jeremy Marshall - King - Probably our best so far
10. Kenny Bromwich - The sunny weather and more relaxed atmosphere of Redcliffe hasn't done him any good.
11. Felise Kaufusi - As for #8
12. Connelly Lemuelu - Another surprise packet! Been outstanding but has a habit of going missing from time to time.
13. Tom Gilbert - As I think everyone expected. Just behind #9 and equal with #3 so far.
    
    
14. Jarrod Wallace - Been absolutely outstanding. Almost overshadowing # 8
15. Anthony Milford - Put on a few kgs, lost a bit of speed and elusiveness but been managing the game much better than he used to.
16. Ray Stone - Solid
17. Herman Ese’ese - Another prop having a breakout year.
    
    
18. Mark Nicholls - Big call dropping him but with the way #14 and #17 are playing...... was there a choice?
19. Kurt Donoghoe - Getting better.
20. Edrick Lee - Not much. As expected. Probably won't see NRL again.
21. Valynce Te Whare - Powerhouse debut. Needs to lose a kg or 2 so he doesn't run out of puff.
22. JJ Collins - Probably not up to NRL.

This is a game that will let us know where we are in relation to be best teams. Apart from Papenhauzen, I think they at full strength. But then again, apart from the first round, I think this is the first time we've been at full strength.

 

[Liverbird with Phins up]

Interesting theory. I think it's more likely Wayne was worried about the way Melbourne could exploit his defence in the last 1/4 of the game. In the game against Cronulla, at one point in the last 15min, it looked like he could hardly even hang an arm out to make a tackle. I know Brenko has hardly been killing it and he is fat but he's still a bit fitter than Te Whare.

I would have went with Te Whare every day of the week and twice on game day but I think I can understand Wayne's thinking.

I agree. I think Valynce missing out is about defense.

 

[Chris]

I agree. I think Valynce missing out is about defense.

I agree as well but is Brenko Lee's defence a lot better? I don't think so but let's wait and see what happens.

 

[Liverbird with Phins up]

I agree as well but is Brenko Lee's defence a lot better? I don't think so but let's wait and see what happens.

And i agree with you too.

I think its more to do with experience in a bigger game, rather then putting a rookie into the lion's den.

 

[Red]

And i agree with you too.

I think its more to do with experience in a bigger game, rather then putting a rookie into the lion's den.

I think that's precisely it!

 

[Jetty]

And i agree with you too.

I think its more to do with experience in a bigger game, rather then putting a rookie into the lion's den.

I think that's precisely it!

There's also another way to look at it. Putting him up against very serious opposition could show him exactly where he's at and how he needs to get better. Get better in time for the back end of the season.

 

[Blockade]

Big Val in the trimmed down squad of 19. There is a rumour going around that Brenko is still struggling with that hammy.

 

[Equaliser]

Big Val in the trimmed down squad of 19. There is a rumour going around that Brenko is still struggling with that hammy.

Wayne might be playing some mind games. Interesting.

 

[Red]

Big Val in the trimmed down squad of 19. There is a rumour going around that Brenko is still struggling with that hammy.

Wayne might be playing some mind games. Interesting.

Maybe we are being too hard on Brenko as well. He hasn't been really bad, just too much of a passenger. The one player not pulling his weight. Losing a 2kg and a baking from Wayne should be enough. All he has to do is going looking for the ball and run hard. Like Aitken. If he did that, like Aitken, I think he'd start busting tackles and going right through the line. But I'd still prefer Valynce. Lets just wait and see. Not long now.

 

[Blockade]

Val has been confirmed as playing Q Cup this afternoon which means that Brenko has overcome his hammy issues. He'll be testing it tonight when trying to contain a strong ball runner in Justin Olam. Let's hope he can do the job required.

 

[Equaliser]

Val has been confirmed as playing Q Cup this afternoon which means that Brenko has overcome his hammy issues. He'll be testing it tonight when trying to contain a strong ball runner in Justin Olam. Let's hope he can do the job required.

I think he'll do ok. Just has much less upside in his game than Val.

 

[Chris]

I think he'll do ok. Just has much less upside in his game than Val.

Knowing he has some serious competition for his spot might fire him up.
Next year for the outside backs we'll have:

• Isaako
• Niu
• Aitken
• Farnworth
• Lee
• Te Whare
• Bostock

And plenty of money in the cap. Missing out on those big names is seriously looking like a blessing in disguise.

 

[Blockade]

Knowing he has some serious competition for his spot might fire him up.
Next year for the outside backs we'll have:

• Isaako
• Niu
• Aitken
• Farnworth
• Lee
• Te Whare
• Bostock

And plenty of money in the cap. Missing out on those big names is seriously looking like a blessing in disguise.

Tesi is only on a one year contract but he is a chance to be re-signed. Herbie will walk into that L centre position which might mean that Aitken switches sides or he may possibly struggle to make the squad next year as will Brenko.

 

[Josh]

Tesi is only on a one year contract but he is a chance to be re-signed. Herbie will walk into that L centre position which might mean that Aitken switches sides or he may possibly struggle to make the squad next year as will Brenko.

I would have said that pre-season or as soon as Herbie was signed but if Aitken keeps playing the way he has been, Wayne might look to move Herbie to the right. I think Herbie is much more versatile. But then where does that leave Valynce? It'll be a good headache to have.

 

[midlands hobo]

With the way the results are going this game is a must win to go joint top on 16

 

[Josh]

With the way the results are going this game is a must win to go joint top on 16

I didn't even realise that. Win this game and go equal top of the table.

 

[midlands hobo]

I didn't even realise that. Win this game and go equal top of the table.

With the donkeys and bunnies losing its really compressed the top of the table. A win puts us level with Penrith on games played.