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.
