Dolphins' coach backs injury-hit squad

Above: Jake Averillo is at fullback tonight, in the Origin-enforced absence of Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow

Dolphins’ depleted squad takes on state rivals the Cowboys tonight (7.35pm) with coach Kristian Woolf having “every confidence in the guys running onto the field for us”.

The Queensland derby in Townsville (7.35pm) comes with Dolphins’ fearing the loss of a third forward to season-ending injury and fullback Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow away in the Queensland Origin camp.

Forward Max Plath is to see a specialist over his serious knee injury and possibly joining props Tom Gilbert and Daniel Saifiti (both shoulder injuries) out for the year.

“(Regarding Plath) we’re prepared for the worst,” Woolf said, “but it gives other guys opportunity.

“Guys like Kurt Donoghue, Oryn Keeley, Connolly Lemuelu get more of a role, more opportunity to make a bigger impact and grow in their roles.

“It’s bad news when you lose really good players, but I like the way other guys take opportunity with both hands.”

Versatile Donoghue is “a guy I can trust enormously”, Woolf said, “… know how much effort he’ll put in every week and can play multiple positions.

“He’s going to play 9 and 13 for us going forward. He’s a guy who keeps delivering to a point he’s going to be in the team every week.

“Oryn Keeley been really good for the last few weeks. Last year he was playing Queensland Cup and in a very successful Norths team. He looked like a guy who was ready to play NRL.”

Jake Averillo comes in at fullback tonight for Tabuai-Fidow and Max Feagai at right centre in the only changes to the starting side from last week’s win over Dragons. Ray Stone replaces Plath on the interchange bench.

Entering Round 15, Dolphins were ninth on the ladder, one point and one place behind Cowboys, but with a far superior points difference of 92 to Cowboys’ -52.

That is courtesy of scoring 100 points against Dragons (56-6) and Bulldogs (44-8) in their last two matches.

“We’re happy with where we’re sitting, happy with the improvement,” coach Woolf said, “we know there’s a long way to go.

“I have every confidence in the guys running onto the field for us. They have to find a bit more and they do have to play their best footy.

"That’s how we’ll keep the progression going.”