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Round 23 vs Sydney Roosters

Red

Red

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I think after a bad year last year, they've had a remarkably good year with injuries. So now we'll be without Herbie and probably Kaufusi (again!) I wonder if Nonu is going to debut. He was 18th man so you'd have to think he will.

I presume Hola will come in for Kaufusi and I think Kaufusi may as well forget about another year. He's simply no that good to be able to get away with being suspended so much.

Anyway, win this one and surely it will be enough to secure us a spot in the semis. Even though we also have Broncos, Manly and Canberra to come. Manly might be playing to keep their season alive and Canberra might be playing for the minor premiership.
 
Think i read somewhere two wins is atheist a top 8 spot ar end of all the rounds
 
Chris said:
This game will be huge.
Click to expand...
All remaining games are huge. Starting with the Roosters next week. Should we win that 4 point game. Then the chances of us making it improve massively.

Roosters
Manly
Broncos

Are all massively important. Winning one of those makes each following one less important. Losing one of those makes each following one even more a must win game.

Its not about getting to 30 points. Its about getting to 30 while having the others restricted to 30 max. Best way of doing that is in those 4 point games
 
The Dolphins maintain 8th spot with their last gasp win over NZ. But, as usual, it came at a monumental cost. Losing Herbie could be the final straw for this very brave squad. The opportunities he creates out of absolutely nothing is second to none. He is impossible to replace.

I think Manly are almost finished and the Roosters have a pretty tough run home, but are still a big threat. Cronulla are playoff specials as they have a relatively easy schedule plus the bye to come. The Broncos are very vulnerable as they play Melb x 2, Dolphins and Manly (a). An interesting 5 weeks coming up. The Dolphins are 10-5 since a horror opening month.

Let's hope for a dry track on Saturday where the Hammer does his best work. A desperate 🐓 side is a dangerous side. But, I'll never count out the Dolphins. I gave them no hope after starting 0-4, but what we have learned since is that they have a devastating attack, incredible depth and arguably the best roster in the comp. Next season is going to be special.
 

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Blockade said:
The Dolphins maintain 8th spot with their last gasp win over NZ. But, as usual, it came at a monumental cost. Losing Herbie could be the final straw for this very brave squad. The opportunities he creates out of absolutely nothing is second to none. He is impossible to replace.

I think Manly are almost finished and the Roosters have a pretty tough run home, but are still a big threat. Cronulla are playoff specials as they have a relatively easy schedule plus the bye to come. The Broncos are very vulnerable as they play Melb x 2, Dolphins and Manly (a). An interesting 5 weeks coming up. The Dolphins are 10-5 since a horror opening month.

Let's hope for a dry track on Saturday where the Hammer does his best work. A desperate 🐓 side is a dangerous side. But, I'll never count out the Dolphins. I gave them no hope after starting 0-4, but what we have learned since is that they have a devastating attack, incredible depth and arguably the best roster in the comp. Next season is going to be special.
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Herbie is of course a massive loss but if Nonu is selected to take his place...... looking forward to seeing how he goes.
 
Chris said:
4 to 6 weeks better than I expected. I was thinking, at least 6 weeks.
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guess its all on how well he heals like they said on radio some have played after 3
 
mr_c said:
guess its all on how well he heals like they said on radio some have played after 3
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There are different grades. As far as I know, Kodi only strained his while Herbie tore his.
 
Katoa: We won't use that as an excuse

Dolphins halfback and captain Isaiya Katoa says his side won't use the mounting injury toll as an excuse as they fight to stay in the top eight.

www.dolphinsnrl.com.au

Katoa: We won't use that as an excuse

Dolphins halfback and captain Isaiya Katoa says his side won't use the mounting injury toll as an excuse as they fight to stay in the top eight.
www.dolphinsnrl.com.au www.dolphinsnrl.com.au
 
Donoghoe: Destiny is in our hands

Dolphins lock Kurt Donoghoe says his side's destiny is in their own hands as they prepare to face the Roosters on Saturday night.

www.dolphinsnrl.com.au

Donoghoe: Destiny is in our hands

Dolphins lock Kurt Donoghoe says his side's destiny is in their own hands as they prepare to face the Roosters on Saturday night.
www.dolphinsnrl.com.au www.dolphinsnrl.com.au
 
Last edited:
What a player Oryn Keeley has become

Fusball redux: meet Dolphins' smiling assassin Keeley
By Joel Gould AAP

Dolphins forward Oryn Keeley is the pack’s new smiling assassin and ready to set the standard in aggression epitomised by veteran Felise Kaufusi.

Former Melbourne enforcer Kaufusi, known as "Fus'’, can sometimes take that too far, as evidenced by his recent dangerous tackle that accidentally broke the leg of Warriors forward Jacob Laban and resulted in a two-match suspension.

However, Kaufusi, now a Dolphins prop, made a name for himself as an edge back-rower weapon who terrorised ball carriers on the way to winning two titles at the Storm.

Keeley, just 22, has been a revelation for the Dolphins in their recent impressive rise to eighth place on the NRL ladder, and he has another big job to do against Sydney Roosters at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night.

A foot injury in the pre-season curtailed his early impact in 2025, but since coming into the side on a regular basis against Canterbury in round 13 Keeley has played every game and the Dolphins have won six from eight.

His attitude and impact were on show in the 56-6 win over St George-Illawarra when he crunched fullback Clint Gutherson in a classic ball-and-all tackle after an enthusiastic kick-chase.

There was a classic confrontation of sorts where the pair, with their faces millimetres apart, were captured exchanging beaming grins.

Keeley’s smile had a look of menace about it as well.

Keeley is fast becoming a fan favourite at the Dolphins and a bit of a cult figure.

He can often be seen exhorting his teammates after they do something well, and his enthusiasm is infectious.

"Growing up I was never the biggest or strongest but I was always the loudest," Keeley said.

"As I came through the ranks I always got told to put that in the right areas, and I feel like I am doing that right now.

"I am bringing myself to the team and the boys love what I bring. I am just enjoying my footy now.

"I smiled at 'Gutho', but that was because he had a big smirk on his face. I wouldn’t have said anything. I am about getting around the little moments, like when someone puts a nice shot on, just things about our team."

Kaufusi may not be with Keeley in body on Saturday night, but he will be in spirit.

"He puts a lot of confidence in myself to be physical and trust that I can be physical against NRL players week in and week out," Keeley said.

"He always tells me to bring me. That just helps me so much knowing that our co-captain Felise has my back and believes I can do it.

"He was telling me today that the more times I touch the ball the more of a threat I look like.

"It is touching and it really helps me perform."

Keeley and the likes of young guns Aublix Tawha and Kurt Donoghoe have held the fort in the absence of key forwards Tom Gilbert, Daniel Saifiti and Max Plath to season-ending injuries.

"It is a great club from the top to the bottom. Everyone is so humble," Keeley said.

"No one is better than anyone, and I just think the club has been set up so well. The boys are just like a brotherhood here. Whoever plays, everyone has faith they are going to do the job."
 

Dolphins round 23 team: ​

  1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
  2. Jamayne Isaako
  3. Max Feagai
  4. Tevita Naufahu
  5. Jake Averillo
  6. Kodi Nikorima
  7. Isaiya Katoa
  8. Francis Molo
  9. Jeremy Marshall-King
  10. Mark Nicholls
  11. Connelly Lemuelu
  12. Oryn Keeley
  13. Kurt Donoghoe

  14. Ray Stone
  15. Aublix Tawha
  16. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki
  17. Josh Kerr

  18. Harrison Graham
 
Dolph said:

Dolphins team: ​

  1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
  2. Jamayne Isaako
  3. Max Feagai
  4. Tevita Naufahu
  5. Jake Averillo
  6. Kodi Nikorima
  7. Isaiya Katoa
  8. Francis Molo
  9. Jeremy Marshall-King
  10. Mark Nicholls
  11. Connelly Lemuelu
  12. Oryn Keeley
  13. Kurt Donoghoe
  14. Ray Stone
  15. Aublix Tawha
  16. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki
  17. Josh Kerr
  18. Harrison Graham
Click to expand...

19. Peter Hola
20. LJ Nonu
21. Kenny Bromwich
22. Trai Fuller

Graham, Nonu & Hola all named in Cup.

Fuller & Bromwich who are in the 22 haven't been named I expect them to be the 18th & 19th players.
 
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