Trial Games

[Red]

Dolphins​

There’s not a lot of pressure for the new kids on the block from the outside world. But Wayne Bennett will be looking for the team to put all of their hard work in the off-season together, get some cohesion from his combinations, and get the franchise’s first season off on the right … fin.

Jeremy Marshall-King seems all but certain for the hooker role with no other full-time dummy half in the squad. Jamayne Isaako is getting first chance at fullback with Tesi Niu in the centres. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow will probably get his chance to stake a claim next weekend. The battle of the centres should be interesting with players Euan Aitken, Oliver Gildart, Niu and Brenko Lee fighting for the two starting spots.

 

[Jetty]

vs Cowboys, Barlow Park, Cairns 6.00pm​

Wayne Bennett’s Dolphins usher in a new era for rugby league in Queensland, as the master coach unveils the game’s most promising talent, halfback Isaiya Katoa, to the NRL world. North Queensland have opted for a low-key approach resting the bulk of their stars but veteran James Tamou, who returns to the club, adds some experience to the young line-up.

Fox Sports expert Corey Parker says:

Wayne has put together a fair team but he’s given a lot of guys a lifeline. Anthony Milford, is he going to save his NRL career? Tesi Nui looks rejuvenated and happy, he’s been given a lifeline. Jamayne Isaako, the same. It’s a new team with a lot of eyes on them, but it’s a chance for a lot of guys to redeem themselves.

The Cowboys are red hot to win the title this year. Looking at this team, you have the forgotten man in Ben Hampton, he can play a number of positions but he gets a shot at five-eighth to make his mark. Forward Riley Price, the son of Steve, he’s got plenty to play for. He’s got this opportunity, he’s been close to NRL debut three or four times last year but couldn’t crack through.

 

[Red]

North Queensland Cowboys vs The Dolphins​

Kick-off: Sunday, February 12, 6pm (AEDT)
Venue: Barlow Park, Cairns

The Dolphins​

1. Jamayne Isaako
2. Jack Bostock
3. Tesi Niu
4. Euan Aitken
5. Oliver Gildart
6. Anthony Milford
7. Isaiya Katoa
8. Jarrod Wallace
9. Harrison Graham
10. Herman Ese'ese
11. Jeremiah Simbiken
12. Connelly Lemuelu
13. Ray Stone
    Interchange:
14. Brayden McGrady
15. Valynce Te Whare
16. Tyler Szepanowski
17. Lachlan Hubner
18. Judah Rimbu
19. Rodrick Tai
20. Sherwin Tanabi
21. Kurt Donoghoe
22. Brenton Baira
23. Mason Teague
24. Poasa Faamausili

 

[Jetty]

North Queensland Cowboys vs The Dolphins​

Kick-off: Sunday, February 12, 6pm (AEDT)
Venue: Barlow Park, Cairns

The Dolphins​

1. Jamayne Isaako
2. Jack Bostock
3. Tesi Niu
4. Euan Aitken
5. Oliver Gildart
6. Anthony Milford
7. Isaiya Katoa
8. Jarrod Wallace
9. Harrison Graham
10. Herman Ese'ese
11. Jeremiah Simbiken
12. Connelly Lemuelu
13. Ray Stone
    Interchange:
14. Brayden McGrady
15. Valynce Te Whare
16. Tyler Szepanowski
17. Lachlan Hubner
18. Judah Rimbu
19. Rodrick Tai
20. Sherwin Tanabi
21. Kurt Donoghoe
22. Brenton Baira
23. Mason Teague
24. Poasa Faamausili

Milf is a worry. Been 6 or 7 years since he played well.

 

[Red]

First try. Well done Jack Bostock.

 

[Jetty]

First try. Well done Jack Bostock.

Doesn't count in trial games.

 

[Red]

Doesn't count in trial games.

Spoil sport

 

[Red]

WAYNE BENNETT'S CONFUSING ABSENCE​

Dolphins coach Wayne Bennett has stayed at home for his side’s first NRL appearance, surprising many observers. Bennett has introduced a franchise into the NRL once before in 1988 but this time wasn’t present when they made their first grade debut.

The master coach handed the reigns to assistant Kristian Woolf for their clash against the Cowboys and the newcomers can hold their heads high after a solid performance.

However rugby league fans were left confused when Bennett’s absence at Barlow Park in Cairns was revealed on Sunday evening.

“ Super coach Wayne Bennett has not turned up for the Dolphins’ historic first match v Cowboys,” the Courier Mail’s Travis Meyn tweeted.

“Quite staggering.”

 

[Axel]

REMEMBER THIS NAME​

It would have been easy for Isaiya Katoa to crumble in his first appearance in an NRL competition after a nightmare start.

The 18-year-old halfback dropped the kick-off and put his side in harms way, handing the Cowboys a threatening attacking threat within the first 30 seconds of the club’s NRL debut.

Wayne Bennett’s side were able to fend off the attack before Katoa showed his skills with a smart 40/20.

That kick gave his side field position to score the club’s first try courtesy of an Anthony Milford grubber for Jack Bostock on the right wing.

Katoa also orchestrated the Dolphins’ second try, spotting space in the middle of the park and hitting Lachlan Hubner with a short ball to crash over.

Katoa’s calm head and playmaking abilities impressed Fox League’s analysts and Michael Ennis labelled the former Panthers junior “special” before he once again delivered with the game on the line.

“Some young stars, Katoa looks special, he is going to be good,” Ennis said.

“Signed him up for three years Katoa, Dolphins who of course have Sean O’Sullivan on their books,” Voss said.

As the scores sat 18-16 to the Cowboys, a smart inside ball sparked Mason Teague’s potentially matchwinning try before North Queensland later equalised with seconds on the clock.

“Remember the name, Isaiya Katoa,” Ennis said.

 

[Axel]

Future looks bright.

 

[Jetty]

Future looks bright.

Future is bright. It's only a question of how soon we can reach that bright future.

 

[Equaliser]

Hi all. Really looking forward to the season. I'm just wondering about the trail. Do we give Katoa first shot at halfback and leave O'Sullivan on the bench? O'Sullivan is a good, solid halfback but Kotoa is a future star, IMO. Why not give him another first shot in the trial and if he goes well, first shot in the season proper?

 

[Red]

Hi all. Really looking forward to the season. I'm just wondering about the trail. Do we give Katoa first shot at halfback and leave O'Sullivan on the bench? O'Sullivan is a good, solid halfback but Kotoa is a future star, IMO. Why not give him another first shot in the trial and if he goes well, first shot in the season proper?

Welcome to the forum. Thanks for joining. How did yo find us?
Give them each 40min. It's a big ask for an 18 year-old to lead the team around in its first season. But he should be given a chance. My feeling is that O'Sullivan will start the season at 7 but Katoa might force him out in the second half of the season.

 

[Equaliser]

Welcome to the forum. Thanks for joining. How did yo find us?
Give them each 40min. It's a big ask for an 18 year-old to lead the team around in its first season. But he should be given a chance. My feeling is that O'Sullivan will start the season at 7 but Katoa might force him out in the second half of the season.

Cheers! Found you on Google.
Maybe O'Sullivan needs to be given first chance but on a short leash because I think Katoa might be ready to go despite being only 18.

 

[Jetty]

Dolphins v Gold Coast Titans, 7:05pm AEDT at Kayo Stadium, Redcliffe​

Dolphins team: ​

1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
2. Jack Bostock
3. Tesi Niu
4. Brenko Lee
5. Robert Jennings
6. Anthony Milford
7. Sean O’Sullivan
8. Jesse Bromwich
9. Jeremy Marshall-King
10. Mark Nicholls
11. Felise Kaufusi
12. Kenny Bromwich
13. Tom Gilbert
    
    Interchange
14. Kodi Nikorima
15. Ray Stone
16. Jarrod Wallace
17. Herman Ese’ese
18. Euan Aitken
19. Isaiya Katoa
20. Poasa Faamausili
21. Connelly Lemuelu
22. Valynce Te Whare
23. Mason Teague

---

I guess that'll almost be the starting team for round 1. Aitken will come into the 17 due to his versatility. Bostock is on a development deal so he won't be in the round 1 team.

 

[Equaliser]

Dolphins v Gold Coast Titans, 7:05pm AEDT at Kayo Stadium, Redcliffe​

Dolphins team: ​

1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
2. Jack Bostock
3. Tesi Niu
4. Brenko Lee
5. Robert Jennings
6. Anthony Milford
7. Sean O’Sullivan
8. Jesse Bromwich
9. Jeremy Marshall-King
10. Mark Nicholls
11. Felise Kaufusi
12. Kenny Bromwich
13. Tom Gilbert
    
    Interchange
14. Kodi Nikorima
15. Ray Stone
16. Jarrod Wallace
17. Herman Ese’ese
18. Euan Aitken
19. Isaiya Katoa
20. Poasa Faamausili
21. Connelly Lemuelu
22. Valynce Te Whare
23. Mason Teague

---

I guess that'll almost be the starting team for round 1. Aitken will come into the 17 due to his versatility. Bostock is on a development deal so he won't be in the round 1 team.

Bostock can still be promoted into the top 30 before round 1.

 

[Red]

Dolphins v Gold Coast Titans, 7:05pm AEDT​

Dolphins team: ​

1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (How can we best take advantage of his speed and has he developed his passing game?)
2. Jack Bostock (I think he'll remain on a development contract and be available from round 10)
3. Tesi Niu (good luck!)
4. Brenko Lee (I think Bennett will be able to get the best out of him. His best is a fringe Origin centre.)
5. Robert Jennings ("Workman" like winger.)
6. Anthony Milford (Going to roll back the clock.)
7. Sean O’Sullivan (Under pressure from Katoa.)
8. Jesse Bromwich (2 more good years please.)
9. Jeremy Marshall-King (Really underrated hooker.)
10. Mark Nicholls (2 more good years please.)
11. Felise Kaufusi (2 more good years please.)
12. Kenny Bromwich (3 more good years please.)
13. Tom Gilbert (Underrated. I think he is going to develop into one of the best locks in the comp this year.)
    
    Interchange:
14. Kodi Nikorima (Good interchange utility.)
15. Ray Stone (Good interchange forward.)
16. Jarrod Wallace (As above.)
17. Herman Ese’ese (Hmmmm, not sure.)
18. Euan Aitken (Come on in the forwards or backs.)
19. Isaiya Katoa (A lot has already been said.)
20. Poasa Faamausili (Don't think he'll make the 17.)
21. Connelly Lemuelu (Good luck.)
22. Valynce Te Whare (Good luck.)
23. Mason Teague (Good luck.)

Analysis: Wayne Bennett has finally unveiled his best 17 with star recruit Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow named at fullback. Ex-Panthers playmaker Sean O’Sullivan has been named at halfback, while Brenko Lee and Tesi Niu are the centres. Skipper Jesse Bromwich also starts alongside Felise Kaufusi, Kenny Bromwich, Tom Gilbert, Jeremy Marshall-King and Mark Nicholls, who will all make their club debuts.

 

[Equaliser]

Dolphins v Gold Coast Titans, 7:05pm AEDT​

Dolphins team: ​

1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow (How can we best take advantage of his speed and has he developed his passing game?)
2. Jack Bostock (I think he'll remain on a development contract and be available from round 10)
3. Tesi Niu (good luck!)
4. Brenko Lee (I think Bennett will be able to get the best out of him. His best is a fringe Origin centre.)
5. Robert Jennings ("Workman" like winger.)
6. Anthony Milford (Going to roll back the clock.)
7. Sean O’Sullivan (Under pressure from Katoa.)
8. Jesse Bromwich (2 more good years please.)
9. Jeremy Marshall-King (Really underrated hooker.)
10. Mark Nicholls (2 more good years please.)
11. Felise Kaufusi (2 more good years please.)
12. Kenny Bromwich (3 more good years please.)
13. Tom Gilbert (Underrated. I think he is going to develop into one of the best locks in the comp this year.)
    
    Interchange:
14. Kodi Nikorima (Good interchange utility.)
15. Ray Stone (Good interchange forward.)
16. Jarrod Wallace (As above.)
17. Herman Ese’ese (Hmmmm, not sure.)
18. Euan Aitken (Come on in the forwards or backs.)
19. Isaiya Katoa (A lot has already been said.)
20. Poasa Faamausili (Don't think he'll make the 17.)
21. Connelly Lemuelu (Good luck.)
22. Valynce Te Whare (Good luck.)
23. Mason Teague (Good luck.)

Analysis: Wayne Bennett has finally unveiled his best 17 with star recruit Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow named at fullback. Ex-Panthers playmaker Sean O’Sullivan has been named at halfback, while Brenko Lee and Tesi Niu are the centres. Skipper Jesse Bromwich also starts alongside Felise Kaufusi, Kenny Bromwich, Tom Gilbert, Jeremy Marshall-King and Mark Nicholls, who will all make their club debuts.

I'm actually much more optimistic about this team than most people. Especially if Kotoa is ready for NRL this season.

 

[Red]

 

[Equaliser]

It was a good first hit out. I said before, I think we are going to surprise a lot of people this season.