Round 14 vs. Warriors Discussion

[Big Pete]

Warriors vs. Dolphins
Go Media Stadium, Saturday 3 June 2023
Kick Off: 3:00pm

1. Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad 2. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 3. Rocco Berry 4. Adam Pompey 5. Marcelo Montoya 6. Luke Metcalf 7. Shaun Johnson 8. Addin Fonua-Blake 9. Wayde Egan 10. Bunty Afoa 11. Jackson Ford 12. Marata Niukore 13. Tohu Harris

14. Dylan Walker 15. Josh Curran 16. Mitchell Barnett 17. Bayley Sironen

18. Tom Ale 20. Taine Tuaupiki 21. Demitric Sifakula 22. Ronald Volkman 23. Ali Leiataua

1. Kodi Nikorima 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Euan Aitken 4. Brenko Lee 5. Tesi Niu 6. Anthony Milford 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Herman Ese'ese 11. Kenny Bromwich 12. Connelly Lemuelu 13. Ray Stone

14. Jarrod Wallace 15. Mark Nicholls 16. Mason Teague 17. Valynce Te Whare

18. Harrison Graham 19. Max Plath 20. Poasa Faamausili 21. Kurt Donoghoe 22. Oliver Gildart​

 

[Big Pete]

Wayne Bennett has backed the team that got the job done last week, naming an unchanged line-up. Both Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow & Tom Gilbert will receive the weekend off ahead of Game I.

This would be a huge scalp for the Dolphins. The Warriors have surprised a lot of fans, myself included, this season and they're right in the mix for a finals spot. The Dolphins are in a similar position and even without two of their best players still have a golden opportunity to get it done.

It will come down to the pack. If they're willing to get their hands dirty and keep turning up they'll give themselves every opportunity. If they start looking for soft options like offloads under pressure they'll give the game away like they did against Melbourne.

 

[Puff]

We are always in games.

This won’t be different. Just need to get it done

 

[Puff]

Slow start. Warmed into the game.

Looking for a stronger showing in attack in the second half.

 

[MugaB]

Got blown away in the last 20mins, missing important cogs to the dolphins machine,
kafusi, hammer, gilbert, Osullivan, and most importantly JMK..
As much as i enjoyed this game at the start it was neck and neck.. until Shaun Johnson just blew the game open, its important to have a strong half, and katoa is great, but still young..
Milford is ok for injuries, Nikorima is the 5/8th you need tho when there's no Sean O'Sullivan there to lead, his links with Katoa would have flipped this game on its head,
Also i did like jarrod wallace in at hooker, he could very well have now become mr versatility, the no.14 we can rely on when JMK needs a breather, i would never start him tho, but today was no choice especially with plath being a rookie...
Need to get everyone back fit and healthy, turn up the heat and go for run into the finals... the biggest test is coming in july post origin against the panthers at redcliffe, they'll be coming off origin sore and hungry, they could break the dolphins or can field a team of rookies to give their stars a rest..
Either way its a crucial 2 points you probably would miss out on... ive done the predictor till finals, dolphins can jag top4, just need the top squad back

 

[Puff]

Milford blew the game open with his 10 minute stint in the bin.

We also lack depth, but that's to be expected for a club in its first year in the competition

 

[MugaB]

Milford blew the game open with his 10 minute stint in the bin.

We also lack depth, but that's to be expected for a club in its first year in the competition

Got plenty of depth, trouble is the current injuries, suspensions and origin are using that all up already, need to get the first picked guys back asap, its such a tight comp/ladder this season that losing a few games by a narrow margin might mean no finals..
Dolphins have already proved they are ready made for contending, just whether they can make it there at seasons end is the question, we all know next season with Fleggler and Farnsworth will put them in a better position, just need to get everyone back now to cement them in this year