Round 22: Dolphins v NZ Warriors

[Red]

Warriors also having some issues with injuries. Of course not close to as many as we have out but losing their halfback who was in very good form is a very big out.

On the Dolphins front, Nicholls will certainly be back and hopefully Kaufusi as well. Unless Flegler makes a surprise return, I guess we can only count on Kodi coming back in the last couple of rounds apart from Nicholls and Kaufusi. The way Averillo played last week, we aren't going to miss Kodi much. Though need Averillo to back it up. I've always though he had the game of a good 5/8. As long as he is partnered with a good, playmaking halfback, which he is.

I think Kurt D will start at lock but will move to hooker to give JMK a rest while Nicholls comes on at lock. Kaufusi to start at prop with Hola dropping out.

 

[Liverbird with Phins up]

Winnable considering their outs.

I know we have many too. But we are coping with ours.

Tanah Boyd isnt Metcalf.

 

[mr_c]

they were crap for top 4 team against knights who were full of recoving sick players we just about rolled them a few weeks ago

 

[Dolph]

they were crap for top 4 team against knights who were full of recoving sick players we just about rolled them a few weeks ago

A few weeks ago? It was last Sunday.

 

[mr_c]

A few weeks ago? It was last Sunday.

no warriors i am talking about when we last played them

 

[257Matt]

Warriors also having some issues with injuries. Of course not close to as many as we have out but losing their halfback who was in very good form is a very big out.

On the Dolphins front, Nicholls will certainly be back and hopefully Kaufusi as well. Unless Flegler makes a surprise return, I guess we can only count on Kodi coming back in the last couple of rounds apart from Nicholls and Kaufusi. The way Averillo played last week, we aren't going to miss Kodi much. Though need Averillo to back it up. I've always though he had the game of a good 5/8. As long as he is partnered with a good, playmaking halfback, which he is.

I think Kurt D will start at lock but will move to hooker to give JMK a rest while Nicholls comes on at lock. Kaufusi to start at prop with Hola dropping out.

Hi Red Kuli will be back before seasons end.

Averillo was a 5/8 coming up through the pathways at Canterbury. He was messed around by Barrett, wasn't rated by Gould and only appeared settled when Potter used him exclusively at fullback. Still in the four year period of 2020-23 Averillo scored the most tries at the club and was the clubs leading try scorer in 2023 and IMO second to Jacob Preston in the clubs best performed player that year. Exact same with JMK he played his best under Potter when at Bulldogs and only coach to show him any love was Potter and JMK deservedly won the clubs player of the year in 2022 ahead of Burton, Fox, King and Averillo who IMO along with JMK were the 5 best in 2022 when Potter was the coach (I forget the Barrett games).

I really believe Averillo is now hitting levels we've yet to see from him and he hasn't even reached his ceiling point. I'm a massive fan of Averillo and I was gutted the way he was treated at Canterbury. We all know about his speed, we all know he has exceptional hands and in the Souths & Sharks games we saw how he actually has a banana kick that's Joey Johns like but does it in full speed even crazier. All word out of Dolphins camp in the pre-season was how much more settled he is as a person and footballer and began to show leadership qualities this has kind of been a let down with Averillo that he doesn't show control and authority. This does come with age, maturity and I guess now being fully valued as a player.

I've been impressed with Naufahu in his two games it's great to see a pathways player emerge I said before season started Dolphins need to see some of their pathways products play a couple of NRL games this year however my prediction was James Walsh who I must say in the last few weeks is really developing nicely the games in NRLQ Series has been his lift off point and his form since with Capras been exceptional and he's been a huge reason why their season has turned around for the better in the last two weeks.

Kaufusi will make a massive difference in the positive for his defence and leadership lets just hope he wheels in the late tackles a touch it's all a very fine line in timing. Dolphins defence has been a bit loose since Kaufusi been missing.

Warriors are gettable and one thing about Dolphins is if they can somehow control their possession and discipline they can score points from anywhere on the field with Katoa, Averillo, Hammer and Herbie.

 

[257Matt]

A few weeks ago? It was last Sunday.

Yeah Knights lost to a crazy last play and just one super human effort probably not since Steve Jackson we seen something like it where a player just had that possessed charge to score from virtually no where.

 

[Blockade]

Wayde Egan suffered a Category 1 concussion today and won't be available for this game. He, along with Metcalf and Barnett are massive losses for this quickly sinking squad.

If the Dolphins are serious about a playoff berth this year, then they'll easily dispose of a very vulnerable NZ side. The Warriors won't finish top 4. Penrith will eventually grab that spot.

I'm banking on a Dolphin victory on Friday. They'll need to find two more triumphs after that. They'll beat the GC and they will shit all over the Broncos. Playoff bound!!! Easier said than done, but their superior +/- is going to prove advantageous.

 

[257Matt]

Wayde Egan suffered a Category 1 concussion today and won't be available for this game. He, along with Metcalf and Barnett are massive losses for this quickly sinking squad.

If the Dolphins are serious about a playoff berth this year, then they'll easily dispose of a very vulnerable NZ side. The Warriors won't finish top 4. Penrith will eventually grab that spot.

I'm banking on a Dolphin victory on Friday. They'll need to find two more triumphs after that. They'll beat the GC and they will shit all over the Broncos. Playoff bound!!! Easier said than done, but their superior +/- is going to prove advantageous.

I was confident about Friday until I saw Hola drop out of Norths team yesterday means he's more than likely playing in the NRL side on Friday. Kaufusi defence in the middle is very crucial for the Dolphins especially against a physical Warriors side.

 

[Red]

Wayde Egan suffered a Category 1 concussion today and won't be available for this game. He, along with Metcalf and Barnett are massive losses for this quickly sinking squad.

If the Dolphins are serious about a playoff berth this year, then they'll easily dispose of a very vulnerable NZ side. The Warriors won't finish top 4. Penrith will eventually grab that spot.

I'm banking on a Dolphin victory on Friday. They'll need to find two more triumphs after that. They'll beat the GC and they will shit all over the Broncos. Playoff bound!!! Easier said than done, but their superior +/- is going to prove advantageous.

If our team, with it's second string forward pack and missing its best winger beat the Broncos, who I think are at full strength now....... a lot of eyebrows are going to be raised and I think McGuire might come in for some serious criticism.

More than anything, I'm looking forward to next year. I'm backing us to make the finals but with all the injuries, I can't see us beating Melbourne, Sydney or Penrith. Not in sudden death games. But next year........

 

[Red]

I was confident about Friday until I saw Hola drop out of Norths team yesterday means he's more than likely playing in the NRL side on Friday. Kaufusi defence in the middle is very crucial for the Dolphins especially against a physical Warriors side.

How good is that 19 year-old Warriors backrower? Though I'm afraid for them, they can't beat us without their gun hooker and halfback.

 

[mr_c]

warriors when on back foot crumble

 

[Blockade]

Wayde Egan suffered a Category 1 concussion and won't be available for this game. He, along with Metcalf and Barnett are massive losses for this quickly sinking squad.

If the Dolphins are serious about a playoff berth this year, then they'll easily dispose of a very vulnerable NZ side. The Warriors won't finish top 4. Penrith will eventually grab that spot.

I'm banking on a Dolphin victory on Friday. They'll need to find two more victories after that. They'll beat the GC and they will shit all over the Broncos. Playoff bound!!! Easier said than done, but their superior +/- is going to prove advantageous

If our team, with it's second string forward pack and missing its best winger beat the Broncos, who I think are at full strength now....... a lot of eyebrows are going to be raised and I think McGuire might come in for some serious criticism.

More than anything, I'm looking forward to next year. I'm backing us to make the finals but with all the injuries, I can't see us beating Melbourne, Sydney or Penrith. Not in sudden death games. But next year........

I think Madge has done well to get that squad to 10-8. They have zero depth and a plethora of players who are inconsistent. Haas and Carrigan are terrific players, but that's where it ends. Hunt and ARey are well past their prime and the likes of Walsh, Staggs and Mam are terribly hot and cold. The likes of Riki, Piakura and Gosiewski are barely first grade standard.

The media build them up as well and that fools people (even the players) into thinking that they are something special. They're not. They'll sneak into the finals, but nothing else. The Dolphins will be dominating them in the years to come.

 

[mr_c]

Wayde Egan suffered a Category 1 concussion and won't be available for this game. He, along with Metcalf and Barnett are massive losses for this quickly sinking squad.

If the Dolphins are serious about a playoff berth this year, then they'll easily dispose of a very vulnerable NZ side. The Warriors won't finish top 4. Penrith will eventually grab that spot.

I'm banking on a Dolphin victory on Friday. They'll need to find two more victories after that. They'll beat the GC and they will shit all over the Broncos. Playoff bound!!! Easier said than done, but their superior +/- is going to prove advantageous

I think Madge has done well to get that squad to 10-8. They have zero depth and a plethora of players who are inconsistent. Haas and Carrigan are terrific players, but that's where it ends. Hunt and ARey are well past their prime and the likes of Walsh, Staggs and Mam are terribly hot and cold. The likes of Riki, Piakura and Gosiewski are barely first grade standard.

The media build them up as well and that fools people (even the players) into thinking that they are something special. They're not. They'll sneak into the finals, but nothing else. The Dolphins will be dominating them in the years to come.

i am to gc was missing plenty n still owned warriors

 

[Blockade]

i am to gc was missing plenty n still owned warriors

It'll be a tough game. Auckland isn't an easy place for visiting teams and the Dolphins seem to struggle against them. It's a huge game for both teams which means that anything can happen.

 

[mr_c]

It'll be a tough game. Auckland isn't an easy place for visiting teams and the Dolphins seem to struggle against them. It's a huge game for both teams which means that anything can happen.

We went all right in last game we played against them

 

[257Matt]

It'll be a tough game. Auckland isn't an easy place for visiting teams and the Dolphins seem to struggle against them. It's a huge game for both teams which means that anything can happen.

Peter Gough match fixed the last game between the two clubs.

Dolphins now back into the 8 following the Bulldogs massacre of Manly.

Had Belinda Sharpe not being so biased towards Nichooooooo Dolphins would be in 7th.

 

[Blockade]

It's basically a 5 team race to nab 3 playoff spots and a chance for the others to solidify or improve on their current placing. 3 wins will get the Dolphins there. Friday's game is massive (as they all are). Does anyone see any changes in the way it currently stands? Who'll finish top 4? Will the Dolphins remain in the 8? Where will the mighty Broncos finish? These answers and more will be revealed in the coming weeks.

 

[Liverbird with Phins up]

6th to 10th fighting for 3 spots i reckon

 

[257Matt]

It's basically a 5 team race to nab a playoff spot and a chance for the orhers to solidify or improve on their current placing. 3 wins will get the Dolphins there. Friday's game is massive (as they all are). Does anyone see any changes in the way it currently stands? Who'll finish top 4? Will the Dolphins remain in the 8? Where will the mighty Broncos finish? These answers and more will be revealed in the coming weeks.

You're right Dolphins need to win 3 games it's imperative 2 of those wins are against Manly & Roosters.