Double delight for Dolphins as Bostock centres in on new role

After securing a late call-up to start at centre, Jack Bostock returned from an ACL injury in style, scoring a double as the Dolphins posted a drought-breaking 28-10 win over Melbourne.

Earning Dally M Rookie of the Year honours in 2024, the Shellharbour junior was continuing to build his game last year, but suffered his season-ending injury in Round 16, a week after setting a club record of four tries in one game.  

Just under 10 months of rehab and recovery later, Bostock made his return to the field via Queensland's Hostplus Cup last week, scoring two tries in four minutes for Redcliffe, with NRL Dolphins coach Kristian Woolf having no hesitation to fast-track him back to the NRL.

“It was a while getting back out there playing with the boys, but so happy to get back out there and start playing footy again and loved every minute of it,” Bostock said. “It was good fun.

“There's always some tough times in rehab, I'm sure as everyone knows, everyone who plays NRL's had a bad injury in their time … they know that rehab’s pretty sh*t, but you know there's always light at the end of the tunnel.

“It was it was good to go out there and start playing footy again, that's what we're here to do, so I loved it.”

While he has made his name playing on the wing, Bostock is seen as a centre long-term and slotted into his role seamlessly.

Growing up playing in the St George Illawarra system, he had two world-class centres to look up to, but Bostock was finding his inspiration closer to home, picking up some tips from his team-mate and England international centre Herbie Farnworth.

“I just think (playing centre) suits, suits my style of play a little bit more, closer to the ball and that's sort of where I enjoy playing my footy,” Bostock said.

“I played a bit more centre growing up than what I had on the wing, I hadn't played wing until I moved to the Dolphins really …

“I definitely like it a little bit in close to the ball.

“I'm not perfect, I've still got a lot to learn in the centre, so I'm happy to keep learning there, obviously.

“I liked Gas [Mark Gasnier], watching when they were playing, him and Matt Cooper.

“They were two pretty good centres when we were growing up, obviously growing up down there watching the Dragons play, so they are definitely good players and hopefully can take a few things out of their play.

“I have Herbie on the other side, he teaches me a lot and helps, so just keep ticking away at it.

“Herbie's helped me the most, obviously playing at clubland with him and I was on his wing a lot, and then now playing centres, obviously he wants me to do well, so he helps me out a bit of training.”