Jeremy Marshall-King is not only aiming to guide the Dolphins to a breakthrough top eight finish, but after nearly a decade in the NRL, is hoping to experience a maiden finals berth for himself.
The Kiwis rake debuted in the NRL for Wests Tigers in 2017, playing one game, before heading to the Bulldogs where he featured for five seasons.
Since coming to the Dolphins in their inaugural season in 2023, he has so far played in 161 games and will add to his tally when the Phins travel to Wollongong to take on the Dragons on Friday night.
And while he has achieved plenty in the game – including being part of New Zealand’s Pacific Championships squad that took out the tournament last year – playing finals was something high on his list.
“I haven't played finals at all and we've been close for the last few years at the Dolphins and it'd be pretty nice to be able to take that step and into the finals,” Marshall-King said.
“You have got to focus every week on our job and I've got to take it every week as it comes and not look too far ahead, but it'll be nice to be there.
“I don't want to come back to pre-season early.
“It's been happening my whole career, so it'd be nice to get into the finals.”
Since surprising many with their competitiveness from the get-go in the inaugural season, the Dolphins have been in the mix for finals each year, but a bad spate of long-term injuries to their key players saw their charge peter out each year.
This year, Marshall-King vows it will be different, despite the side currently missing their co-captain and halfback Isaiya Katoa with a wrist injury.
“We've been really working hard on our ‘d’ [defence], I think that's something that we've missed probably the last few years,” Marshall-King said.
“And being ‘sort of’ injury free as well, not as many injuries (as this time the past few years).
“(Our) experienced and international players are (still playing) in our team now; normally we've got injuries all over the place (at this stage of the season).
First take: Dragons v Dolphins
“But … now we've got a full squad that's healthy … we're just looking forward to this week and the next six weeks ahead.
“We can't look too far ahead of us, it's two games (needed to win to lock in a position on the ladder), but anything can happen.
“We've got to worry about this week against St George Illawarra and not worry about anything else and take each week as it comes.
“We'll focus on that game, but what we need to focus on now is the Dragons this week.”
Match: Dragons v Dolphins
Round 22 -
home Team
Dragons
17th Position
away Team
Dolphins
5th Position
Venue: WIN Stadium, Wollongong
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
