Round 8: Dolphins vs Canberra

[Blockade]

How did Plathy go from wearing a moon boot on Friday night and looking at possibly a couple months out to being named in the lineup for Sunday? How did that happen? He heals faster than the Terminator. I'm not complaining though. His presence is required if they are any chance at a playoff berth.

 

[257Matt]

How did Plathy go from wearing a moon boot on Friday night and looking at possibly a couple months out to being named in the lineup for Sunday? How did that happen? He heals faster than the Terminator. I'm not complaining though. His presence is required if they are any chance at a playoff berth.

It's great news and I'm sure everyone is glad to be proven wrong even those of us who said 2 weeks are glad it's not.

Max Plath is a player I'm sure everyone including salty Broncos fans just love watching play.

Interesting Woolf hasn't changed around the bench one bit he's kept it as Donoghoe, Lemuelu, Stone & Kerr.

I think Plath plays as neither Graham or JMK named in the 22.

 

[257Matt]

 

[257Matt]

Molo to debut for Dolphins after double injury blow
Joel Gould AAP

The Dolphins will give new signing Francis Molo a club debut, but will be without key forwards Felise Kaufusi and Jeremy Marshall-King for the away trip to Canberra.

There was better news on versatile forward Max Plath, who suffered a foot ligament injury in the 42-22 win over Melbourne on Friday night.

Plath has been named at hooker against the Raiders on Sunday and is rated a good chance of playing

Prop forward Kaufusi, who sustained a medial ligament strain against the Storm, may only miss one week.

The injury to Kaufusi has opened the door for former St George Illawarra prop Molo to start at prop in his club debut.

Molo has been playing for CQ Capras in the Queensland Cup, but is set for his first NRL match of the season.

Hooker Marshall-King has not scrubbed up after a nasty gash to his thigh in the round-six win over Penrith got infected.

"We really want to make sure Jeremy’s cut heals properly before he does anything, so the best way to look after him is to give him another week’s break," Dolphins performance chief Jeremy Hickmans said.

"Felise is in a brace at this point, but if all goes according to plan he could play against the Roosters (in round nine).

"Plath has a foot ligament injury, but with some luck and the long turnaround into the game, he could take the field against the Raiders."

Molo, who played for Queensland in 2021 and has played 138 NRL games, will give the Dolphins much-needed grunt up front.

"I grew up playing with Franky when he was 12," Dolphins playmaker Kodi Nikorima said.

"He brings a lot of aggression, which we will need in our pack after losing Felise. For him it is about doing his job, running hard and tackling hard. He is handy to have."

Dolphins coach Kristian Woolf has coached Molo previously at Brisbane and the Townsville Blackhawks and said he was ready to rip and tear.

"I love the way he is looking," Woolf said.

"He has come in with a hunger and a smile. You can see he is enjoying our group and enjoying being back in Queensland. He has got a presence around the group as well."

 

[Equaliser]

Dolphins team: ​

1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
2. Jamayne Isaako
3. Jake Averillo
4. Herbie Farnworth
5. Jack Bostock
6. Kodi Nikorima
7. Isaiya Katoa
8. Daniel Saifiti
9. Max Plath
10. Francis Molo
11. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki
12. Tom Gilbert
13. Mark Nicholls
14. Kurt Donoghoe
15. Ray Stone
16. Connelly Lemuelu
17. Josh Kerr

 

[257Matt]

I just had a look at the 3 pathways sides. QCup (& NSW Cup) sides unlike NRL sides can bring in players into the 17 from outside of the Tuesday teams.

18-19. Sean O'Sullivan and Kenny Bromwich not named for Norths likely to be 18-19 for the NRL side as Norths play on Friday there's every chance at least one of them might play but might not with captains run on Saturday morning likely to determine 1 or 2 players fitness

The likely 20-22 players in the Dolphins squad:
Tevita Naufahu not named for Capras but Capras unlike Norths or Redcliffe don't name anyone in the very extended 22-man NRL squad on a Tuesday
Junior Tupou named for Redcliffe
Oryn Keeley named for Norths

Other Top 30 & Development Players:
23. Ryan Jackson makes his return for Capras named in the starting side (his progression is very important)
24-25. Lewis Symonds and Elijah Rasmussen named for Capras
26-28. Max Feagai, Aublix Tawha and James Walsh named for Redcliffe
29. Michael Waqa named on extended Redcliffe bench

30. Harrison Graham not in Capras side - is he injured?
31. Sebastian Sua not named for any of the 3 sides

32-35. Trai Fuller, Thomas Flegler, Felise Kaufusi and Jeremy Marshall-King all confirmed on the injured list.

Dolphins have 35 players in Top 30 & Development.

Other players outside Top 30 & Development:
John Fineanganofo returns for Capras hasn't played since Round 3 - good talent
LJ Nonu named for Norths played the last 2 games after missing the 2 weeks before that
Both Fineanganofo and Nonu are on Transition deals currently and if they continue progressing could land development deals

Other transition players Charlie Dickson named for Norths in Mal Meninga. Redcliffe have week 1 of the finals off so the likes of Carter Ford, Brian Pouniu and Zac Garton not playing having been involved in their Meninga campaign.

Josh Allen is in the starting side for Redcliffe he's not part of Top 30, Development or Transition but he's an old style prop who I would like to see progress to a development deal next season a few retirements begins to happen.
Jordan Lipp at 5/8 for Norths he's played centre & 5/8 this year and last year for Norths played fullback he's flourished since going to Norths

According to NRL website the club is yet to finalise any Development deals for 2026 and the only Development player confirmed on an NRL deal is Rasmussen.

 

[Josh]

How did Plathy go from wearing a moon boot on Friday night and looking at possibly a couple months out to being named in the lineup for Sunday? How did that happen? He heals faster than the Terminator. I'm not complaining though. His presence is required if they are any chance at a playoff berth.

Though hooker is far from his best position. It's been a weakness for a while with JMK injured a lot. I thought Harrison Graham did well in the trials. No idea how he is doing in Cup but probably not very good or he'd be picked this week and last.

 

[Blockade]

Though hooker is far from his best position. It's been a weakness for a while with JMK injured a lot. I thought Harrison Graham did well in the trials. No idea how he is doing in Cup but probably not very good or he'd be picked this week and last.

Rumour has it is that Plath will unlikely suit up on Sunday. Donoghoe will probably slot in. Graham not named for the Capras this weekend. Might be injured or been dropped to the competition below them. His career is in serious limbo.

 

[257Matt]

Rumour has it is that Plath will unlikely suit up on Sunday. Donoghoe will probably slot in. Graham not named for the Capras this weekend. Might be injured or been dropped to the competition below them. His career is in serious limbo.

Especially with such a short turn around to Magic Round. Dolphins did report yesterday the original diagnosis was wrong. I'm in transit today so tonight I try to find the articles.

Graham not named for Capras as I highlighted in an above post. His career like you said is in limbo and it's disappointing as he was the first Dolphins player signing.

I get a lot wrong, I get a lot right. I said long before Round 1 when we were talking 1-17's that Donoghoe will be in the no.17 jumper covering all positions as a backup to many players. He's getting better and more confident each game as Woolf is giving him good minutes something he didn't get in his first two seasons and he's got a role to play under Woolf too. Lets hope it continues.

 

[Equaliser]

Rumour has it is that Plath will unlikely suit up on Sunday. Donoghoe will probably slot in. Graham not named for the Capras this weekend. Might be injured or been dropped to the competition below them. His career is in serious limbo.

That makes a lot of sense.

 

[Temesia]

Especially with such a short turn around to Magic Round. Dolphins did report yesterday the original diagnosis was wrong. I'm in transit today so tonight I try to find the articles.

Graham not named for Capras as I highlighted in an above post. His career like you said is in limbo and it's disappointing as he was the first Dolphins player signing.

I get a lot wrong, I get a lot right. I said long before Round 1 when we were talking 1-17's that Donoghoe will be in the no.17 jumper covering all positions as a backup to many players. He's getting better and more confident each game as Woolf is giving him good minutes something he didn't get in his first two seasons and he's got a role to play under Woolf too. Lets hope it continues.

Some players takes some time to develop into NRL system. Donga is a work in progress . Overtime will surely find his best position hopefully at five eighth. Utility suits him really well at the moment

 

[Equaliser]

Some players takes some time to develop into NRL system. Donga is a work in progress . Overtime will surely find his best position hopefully at five eighth. Utility suits him really well at the moment

Backline utility though Woolf has been getting the best out of him as hooker or a ball playing forward.I CD I'm just wondering if it can last. For me he's also a 5/8.

 

[257Matt]

Some players takes some time to develop into NRL system. Donga is a work in progress . Overtime will surely find his best position hopefully at five eighth. Utility suits him really well at the moment

A lot of players begin as utilities or come into grade outside the spot they end up making a name for themselves. Willie Mason gave Donga massive praise on his podcast earlier in the week and was asking what area he’s originally from. Mason is from one side of Lake Macquarie and Donga the other side and I’ve sent Willie a text letting him know. Willie wasn’t rated by the Knights so he signed with Mariners pathways in 1996-97 and joined Canterbury junior reps in 1998.

 

[Chris]

I know Bostock won Dally M rookie of the year last year but I thought he was a bit lucky. Lack of serious opposition. But he's been really good this year so far. Left Isaako behind as our best winger.

 

[mr_c]

this week and next week going be intresting with dogs losing few big names to suspension

 

[Liverbird with Phins up]

It's great news and I'm sure everyone is glad to be proven wrong even those of us who said 2 weeks are glad it's not.

Max Plath is a player I'm sure everyone including salty Broncos fans just love watching play.

Interesting Woolf hasn't changed around the bench one bit he's kept it as Donoghoe, Lemuelu, Stone & Kerr.

I think Plath plays as neither Graham or JMK named in the 22.

Everyone?

 

[257Matt]

Everyone?

About Plath's injury some of us said 2-3 weeks and those of us who did got shot down only two of us said 2 weeks. I'm glad it's not 2 weeks it's less and I'm sure those who thought 2-3 months are glad it's not.

 

[257Matt]

Bromwich and O’Sullivan didn’t play for Norths tonight

Keeley who in the 22 did

 

[Red]

Some players takes some time to develop into NRL system. Donga is a work in progress . Overtime will surely find his best position hopefully at five eighth. Utility suits him really well at the moment

Specially halves and front rowers. JT wasn't a regular starter until he was told by the Bulldogs told him to seek life elsewhere when he was about 23.

 

[257Matt]

Specially halves and front rowers. JT wasn't a regular starter until he was told by the Bulldogs told him to seek life elsewhere when he was about 23.

Canterbury halves were firing at the time Anasta played Origin and Sherwin was 18th man.

Thurston started 2004 in the halves got injured in Round 5 and by the time he returned the Bulldogs were on a roll.

If you listen to conspiracy theorists they'll tell you wink wink nudge nudge get out of Sydney.......