NRL Late Mail Round 18: Dolphins lose experienced forward
The Dolphins have been dealt a blow with Ray Stone ruled out of Sunday's clash with the Knights.
The veteran pulled up sore from last week's epic win over the Warriors and did not recover in time for the trip to Newcastle. Youngster Sebastian Su'a is expected to make his NRL debut as a result.
Su'a is one of multiple young guns set to get their chance this weekend with Origin plays in their respective camps ahead of Wednesday's decider at Suncorp Stadium.
See all the late mail, official team news and updates for Round 18 of the 2026 NRL Telstra Premiership competition.
NRL Late Mail: Round 18
Knights v Dolphins, Sunday 4.05pm at McDonald Jones Stadium
Match: Knights v Dolphins
Round 18 -
home Team
Knights
away Team
Dolphins
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Knights is number 1 Fletcher SharpeFullback for Dolphins is number 1 Trai Fuller
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Winger for Knights is number 2 Dominic YoungWinger for Dolphins is number 2 Jamayne Isaako
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Centre for Knights is number 3 Dane GagaiCentre for Dolphins is number 3 Jake Averillo
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Centre for Knights is number 4 Fletcher HuntCentre for Dolphins is number 4 Herbie Farnworth
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Winger for Knights is number 5 Greg MarzhewWinger for Dolphins is number 5 Tevita Naufahu
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Five-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Sandon SmithFive-Eighth for Dolphins is number 6 Kodi Nikorima
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Halfback for Knights is number 7 Dylan BrownHalfback for Dolphins is number 7 Bradley Schneider
Forwards
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Prop for Knights is number 8 Jacob SaifitiProp for Dolphins is number 8 Felise Kaufusi
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Hooker for Knights is number 9 Phoenix CrosslandHooker for Dolphins is number 9 Jeremy Marshall-King
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Prop for Knights is number 16 Cody HopwoodProp for Dolphins is number 10 Francis Molo
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2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Dylan Lucas2nd Row for Dolphins is number 11 Connelly Lemuelu
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2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Jermaine McEwen2nd Row for Dolphins is number 12 Kulikefu Finefeuiaki
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Lock for Knights is number 13 Mat CrokerLock for Dolphins is number 13 Morgan Knowles
Interchange
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Interchange for Knights is number 14 Harrison GrahamInterchange for Dolphins is number 14 Kurt Donoghoe
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Interchange for Knights is number 15 Tyson FrizellInterchange for Dolphins is number 15 Tom Gilbert
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Interchange for Knights is number 17 Thomas CantInterchange for Dolphins is number 18 Sebastian Su'a
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Interchange for Knights is number 18 Lachlan CrouchInterchange for Dolphins is number 19 John Fineanganofo
Reserves
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Reserve for Knights is number 19 Francis ManuleleuaReserve for Dolphins is number 17 Brian Pouniu
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Reserve for Knights is number 20 Kyle McCarthyReserve for Dolphins is number 20 Sam Elliott
Match Officials
- Referee: Wyatt Raymond
- Touch Judge: Jon Stone
- Senior Review Official: Chris Butler
Last updated:
Knights: One game day change, with Trey Mooney dropping out of the starting side after suffering a minor calf strain. Cody Hopwood will instead start at prop. Kyle McCarthy moves up from the reserves to the extended interchange. Earlier, Kalyn Ponga and Bradman Best's absence has triggered a familiar reshuffle for the Knights. Fletcher Sharpe moves to fullback, Sandon Smith comes into the halves and Fletcher Hunt comes into the centres. The Knights have won their last five games against the Dolphins.
Dolphins: No late changes on game day. Ray Stone is a late withdrawal from the side after pulling up sore and not recovering well enough from the last game. Youngster Sebastian Su'a is expected to make his club debut. Prop Tom Gilbert is set to return after missing the Warriors game due to a throat injury and Jake Averillo comes into the centres after returning from hand surgery through Queensland Cup last week. Averillo replaces Jack Bostock, who is in the NSW team, while Trai Fuller replaces Queensland star Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow at fullback. A fractured wrist for Isaiya Katoa will see Brad Schneider start at halfback. Tevita Naufahu will replace Queensland winger Selwyn Cobbo, with Felise Kaufusi to start at prop in place of Maroons forward Tom Flegler.
