Dolphins v Bulldogs: JMK in the mix; Ciraldo sticks solid
After narrow losses to the Panthers and Warriors, the men from Redcliffe got back on track with a win over the Storm which again showcased their sublime attacking skills.
The Dolphins' backline is blessed with an abundance of speed and power in the shape of Herbie Farnworth, Selwyn Cobbo, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Isaiya Katoa, and they will look to run the Bulldogs ragged at Suncorp Stadium.
The blue and whites have hit a rough patch with five losses in their past six matches, sliding nine places on the ladder in the process and sparking plenty of debate about their playmakers' ability to engineer points.
Just four weeks ago the Bulldogs handed the Panthers their only loss of the season and piled on five tries in the process so that has to be a the blueprint for a revival at The Cauldron on Thursday night.
Match: Dolphins v Bulldogs
Round 10 -
home Team
Dolphins
9th Position
away Team
Bulldogs
13th Position
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Team News
Dolphins: Hooker Jeremy Marshall-King is on track for his first appearance of the season after completing a lengthy recovery from a freak knee injury in January. The dummy-half has been listed on the six-man interchange as coach Kristian Woolf eases him back into the fray. Kodi Nikorima will start after initially being named to come off the bench in his return from suspension, with Brad Schneider relinquishing the No.6 jumper in a halves combination with Isaiya Katoa. Kurt Donoghue was not named to play, with Woolf saying he needed some more time to be "100 percent confident" in his hamstring. “Kurt's a big player for us and he showed that last week, but I could tell with Kurt too, that he just wasn't 100% confident. We're a little bit healthier this week, that certainly helps, but just making sure that he is 100 percent confident and he can go and be the Kurt that we know … he's really important to us as a player, so, he'll be back next week.” No further changes in the 24-hour team update, with Trai Fuller and Lewis Symonds dropping out of the squad.
Bulldogs: Sitili Tupouniua has been named to start at second row but could trade places with Josh Curran as they did last weekend. The loss of Kurt Mann (concussion) and Jake Turpin (biceps) has seen Sean O'Sullivan and Harry Hayes come on to the bench, while youngster Alekolasimi Jones is set to play a greater role after making his NRL debut last week. One minor tweak in Wednesday's team update, Jethro Rinakama coming on to the six-man bench in place of Marcelo Montoya. Gordon Chan Kum Tong is the other player to drop out of the squad.
Match: Dolphins v Bulldogs
Round 10 -
home Team
Dolphins
away Team
Bulldogs
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Dolphins is number 1 Hamiso Tabuai-FidowFullback for Bulldogs is number 1 Connor Tracey
-
Winger for Dolphins is number 2 Jamayne IsaakoWinger for Bulldogs is number 2 Jonathan Sua
-
Centre for Dolphins is number 3 Jack BostockCentre for Bulldogs is number 3 Bronson Xerri
-
Centre for Dolphins is number 4 Herbie FarnworthCentre for Bulldogs is number 4 Stephen Crichton
-
Winger for Dolphins is number 5 Selwyn CobboWinger for Bulldogs is number 5 Enari Tuala
-
Five-Eighth for Dolphins is number 18 Kodi NikorimaFive-Eighth for Bulldogs is number 15 Sean O'Sullivan
-
Halfback for Dolphins is number 7 Isaiya KatoaHalfback for Bulldogs is number 7 Lachlan Galvin
Forwards
-
Prop for Dolphins is number 8 Thomas FleglerProp for Bulldogs is number 8 Samuel Hughes
-
Hooker for Dolphins is number 9 Max PlathHooker for Bulldogs is number 9 Bailey Hayward
-
Prop for Dolphins is number 10 Francis MoloProp for Bulldogs is number 10 Leo Thompson
-
2nd Row for Dolphins is number 11 Connelly Lemuelu2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 11 Sitili Tupouniua
-
2nd Row for Dolphins is number 12 Kulikefu Finefeuiaki2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 12 Jacob Preston
-
Lock for Dolphins is number 13 Morgan KnowlesLock for Bulldogs is number 13 Jaeman Salmon
Interchange
-
Interchange for Dolphins is number 14 Ray StoneInterchange for Bulldogs is number 14 Alekolasimi Jones
-
Interchange for Dolphins is number 15 Tom GilbertInterchange for Bulldogs is number 16 Harry Hayes
-
Interchange for Dolphins is number 16 Felise KaufusiInterchange for Bulldogs is number 17 Josh Curran
-
Interchange for Dolphins is number 19 Jeremy Marshall-KingInterchange for Bulldogs is number 20 Lipoi Hopoi
Reserves
-
Reserve for Dolphins is number 6 Bradley SchneiderReserve for Bulldogs is number 21 Jethro Rinakama
-
Reserve for Dolphins is number 21 Tevita NaufahuReserve for Bulldogs is number 23 Logan Spinks
Match Officials
- Referee: Grant Atkins
- Senior Review Official: Ashley Klein
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- Dolphins centre Jack Bostock has scored eight tries in his last five NRL games.
- The Bulldogs have won only two of their last 17 games at Suncorp Stadium.
- Dolphins winger Jamayne Isaako has scored a try in all three games against the Bulldogs.
- Bulldogs five-eighth Matt Burton will play his 100th game for the club.
- Dolphins forward Ray Stone will make his 100th NRL appearance.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
